Krakow’s obwarzanek is a culinary highlight of Krakow. The origins of this baked product date back to the Middle Ages, and today the traditional recipe is protected by a geographical indication granted by the European Commission. The preparation of an obwarzanek consists of several steps. From flour, water, salt, sugar, yeast and fat, a dough is kneaded, formed into two rolls, which are braided into a braid. Before baking, the braid should be dipped in hot water, which results in a crispy crust on the outside and a soft center. It is from the “roll in water” = “obwarzać” that the name "obwarzanek" is derived, and this procedure results in a unique baked product instead of the usual yeast roll. It can be said that obwarzanek is Kraków's first street food. The earliest mention of it dates back to the 14th century, at the time of King Jagiello, and a century later King Jan Olbracht banned their production outside of Krakow. Real obwarzanki can now be bought in one of several hundred stalls and portable carts marked with a blue sticker with the EU mark. Several hundred thousand of these baked products are produced and sold every day, and are bought by Krakow residents and tourists. It should not be confused with pretzel or bagel, similar baked products, but differing in shape and method of making. The bagel is a baked product that originated in the Jewish tradition, while the pretzel originated in southern Europe and is shaped like a distinctive figure eight.