DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS

Introduction

DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS was founded in the small town of Velva, North Dakota, where the dream of creating a unique pretzel experience took shape. The brand emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients and innovative seasoning to craft pretzels that stand out in a crowded market. Since joining The Hershey Company in 2021, DOT'S has expanded its reach while maintaining its commitment to offering a nostalgic and homemade snack that resonates with consumers.

The philosophy of DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS revolves around creating pretzels that aren't just a side snack, but a delicious experience meant to be shared and enjoyed. Every twist and groove of the pretzel is infused with flavorful seasonings that make each bite irresistible. The founders believed in making pretzels that evoke a sense of comfort and home, focusing on a unique flavor profile that makes the brand special and distinguishes it from traditional pretzel offerings.

What truly makes DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS special is their distinctive seasoning and commitment to quality. Each pretzel is crafted with a homemade touch, ensuring a satisfying crunch along with a burst of flavor. Whether enjoyed alone or paired with dips, DOT'S pretzels provide a delightful snacking experience for all occasions, capturing the hearts of many snack lovers around the country.

Signature Products

Experience the variety of exciting flavors that define DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS. Each product showcases the brand's innovative spirit and dedication to delicious snacking.

• Original Seasoned Pretzel Twists : Classic pretzel twists seasoned to perfection for a savory crunch.
• Parmesan Garlic Seasoned Pretzel Twists : Dusted with a rich blend of buttery parmesan and savory garlic.
• Honey Mustard Seasoned Pretzel Twists : A sweet and tangy twist that adds a delicious zing to your snacking.

Materials and Ingredients Used by DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS

• Butter: A creamy ingredient derived from milk, used to impart a rich, savory flavor to the pretzels. Its presence enhances the taste profile, complementing the seasonings for added indulgence.
• Canola: A type of vegetable oil extracted from canola seeds, chosen for its neutral flavor and high smoke point. It serves as a base for frying and helps create a crispy texture in the pretzels.
• Citric Acid: A natural preservative and flavor enhancer derived from citrus fruits. Used to add a subtle tartness, it helps balance the richness of other ingredients and extends shelf life.
• Corn: Often used in snack products, corn may refer to corn flour or corn syrup, contributing to the texture and flavor of the pretzels.
• Garlic: A pungent bulb used for its distinctive flavor. It plays a key role in seasoning, adding depth and an aromatic quality to the pretzels.
• Lactic Acid: An organic acid that can act as a preservative and flavoring agent. It provides a mild tanginess, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
• Milk: A dairy ingredient that adds creaminess and richness, contributing to the savory taste of the pretzels. It is commonly used in snack formulations for added flavor.
• Monosodium Glutamate: Commonly known as MSG, this flavor enhancer intensifies the savory umami taste in the pretzels, making them more appealing to the palate.
• Onion: A staple flavoring agent that adds sweetness and depth to the seasoning blend. Its inclusion enhances the overall taste experience.
• Peanuts: Typically used for their crunchy texture and rich flavor. In certain variations, they may provide an interesting element and unique taste to the pretzels.
• Salt: A fundamental seasoning that enhances the flavor of all ingredients. It balances sweetness and accentuates the overall taste of the pretzels.
• Soybean: This ingredient often refers to soybean oil, which is used for frying due to its favorable properties, contributing to a crispier pretzel.
• Vegetable Oil: A generic term for oils derived from various plants, used in the frying process. It provides a neutral flavor and helps achieve the desired texture.
• Wheat: The primary grain ingredient, which is fundamental for creating the dough structure of the pretzels, ensuring they have the right chewiness.
• Wheat Flour: A finely milled product from wheat, serving as the main component in the pretzels. It not only provides structure but also plays a crucial role in texture.
• Xanthan Gum: A thickening agent derived from fermented sugars. It is used to improve the texture and stability of the pretzel dough, ensuring uniformity in each bite.
• Yeast: A leavening agent that helps the dough rise, contributing to the light and airy texture of the pretzels, enhancing the overall snacking experience.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying From DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS

Methane Emissions:

Butter and milk production significantly contribute to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Cows produce methane during digestion, and manure management further releases methane into the atmosphere. Methane is a major contributor to climate change due to its high heat-trapping capacity, roughly 25 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. The dairy industry, therefore, poses significant environmental challenges that need addressing.

Pesticide Use:

Ingredients like canola, corn, garlic, onion, soybean, and wheat are often treated with pesticides to ensure crop health and yield. Pesticides can contaminate local water supplies, harm non-target species, and lead to biodiversity loss. They can also affect human health, as agricultural workers and surrounding communities may be exposed to these chemicals. Intensive pesticide use can also lead to pest resistance, necessitating stronger chemicals or more frequent applications.

Deforestation:

The production of ingredients such as peanuts, soybeans, and palm oil (for vegetable oil) often leads to deforestation. This environmental issue contributes to the loss of biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and releases large amounts of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. Tropical forests, crucial for maintaining global biodiversity and climate stability, are especially at risk due to agricultural expansion.

Water Use:

Corn, peanuts, and wheat flour production are water-intensive processes that can strain local water resources, especially in arid regions. Over-extraction of water for irrigation can deplete aquifers, reduce water availability for other uses, and cause ecological harm. Water scarcity can also lead to conflicts among different water users, including farmers, industries, and households.

Soil Degradation:

Agricultural practices for canola, corn, wheat, and peanuts can lead to soil degradation issues such as erosion, loss of fertility, and compacting. This can result from intensive monoculture practices, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and neglect of sustainable land management techniques. Degraded soils lead to lower yields, requiring more land to meet food demands, thus driving further environmental degradation.

Energy Consumption:

Ingredients like lactic acid, monosodium glutamate, vegetable oil, xanthan gum, and yeast require energy-intensive processes for production and processing. High energy use contributes to the carbon footprint of these ingredients, particularly if the energy is derived from fossil fuels. It underscores the importance of transition towards renewable energy sources in food production to lower emissions and mitigate climate impact.

These issues are related to the supply chain of the brand and need to be taken into consideration. Addressing them can lead to more sustainable practices, potentially improving environmental impacts and fostering social responsibility within ingredient sourcing and production.