The Sweet History of the Oreo Cookie | The Sugar Association (2024)

The Sweet History of the Oreo Cookie | The Sugar Association (1)

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By Laura Rutherford, Contributor

March 2023

Today is National Oreo Cookie Day! On this day in 1912, Oreo cookies were first developed and produced by Nabisco in New York City. It’s time to celebrate the iconic crunchy chocolate sandwich cookie with the sweet vanilla cream filling that Americans have enjoyed for over one hundred years.

March 6th is National Oreo Cookie Day! On this day in 1912, Oreo cookies were first developed and produced by Nabisco in New York City. It’s time to celebrate the iconic crunchy chocolate sandwich cookie with the sweet vanilla cream filling that Americans have enjoyed for over one hundred years.

The very first Oreos were sold to a grocer in Hoboken, New Jersey, named S.C. Thuesen in March of 1912. Nine and a quarter pounds of Oreos cost the store $1.85 and the tin they came in cost an additional 50 cents. The cookies were a hit and an American tradition was born. Today, the cookie can be found in more than 100 countries! On November 21, 2011, the Oreo cookie received the Guinness World record for the world’s biggest selling cookie with total sales in excess of 500 billion since its introduction in 1912.

For decades, people have debated the correct way to eat an Oreo cookie. Some like to twist the cookie in half, lick the frosting and dunk it in a glass of milk, while others like to break their cookie in half before eating. While there’s no wrong way to enjoy your tasty treat, Oreo has been promoting the “twist, link and dunk” method since 1923, when the first advertisem*nt showing “the twist” appeared on trolley cars.

Oreo has also produced many varieties of its popular cookie, as well as themes, special edition and limited-edition runs that have become popular in the 21st century. Special edition cookies have colored frosting and a stamped design in accordance with the current holiday. In 1974, the company introduced the Double Stuf Oreo with twice the filling of the original cookie. In 1992, they rolled out the Oreo Mini and released the Mega Stuf Oreo in 2013.

Oreo cookies are also beloved for their affordability, accessibility, and versatility. Countless dessert recipes from cakes and crusts to ice cream and bars feature the easy-to-use Oreo. There is even a deep-fried Oreo, introduced in 2001 by Charlie Boghosian at the L.A. County Fair. Boghosian dipped Oreos in pancake batter, deep-fried them, drizzled them with chocolate syrup and served them with powdered sugar. Since its debut, the deep-fried Oreo has become a staple at state fairs and carnivals around the country.

The Oreo brand has been owned by Mondelez International since 2012. According to Mondelez, it takes two hours to make and bake one Oreo cookie. The company operates factories in 18 countries around the world that produce 40 billion cookies per year. If stacked together, these cookies would circle the earth five times! No one knows for sure how the Oreo cookie originally got its name, although the brand is a household name now. The street in New York City where Oreo originally debuted was renamed “Oreo Way” to honor where the very first cookie in the very first Nabisco factory was located.

The taste of Oreo cookies is the taste of nostalgia for many Americans and a sweet reminder of childhood. The cookies are also a longstanding tradition in many families, so raise your milk glass and wish the Oreo a happy 111th birthday!

The Sweet History of the Oreo Cookie | The Sugar Association (2)

About the Author

Laura Rutherford graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2004 with a degree in Political Science. She is a shareholder in American Crystal Sugar Company and a member of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association (RRVSGA), the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), and the American Society of Sugarbeet Technologists. She is on the Board of Directors of the Sugar Industry Biotechnology Council and has published articles for the WABCG, the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association newsletter, and the British Sugarbeet Review magazine in Cambs, United Kingdom.

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The Sweet History of the Oreo Cookie | The Sugar Association (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the Oreo cookie? ›

The name Oreo was trademarked on March 14, 1912. It was launched as an imitation of the original Hydrox cookie manufactured by Sunshine company, which was introduced in 1908. The original design on the face of the Oreo featured a wreath around the edge of the cookie and the name "OREO" in the center.

What is the Oreo slogan for 2024? ›

The tagline of the commercial is “twist on it.” Instead of flipping a coin, fate is determined by which side of an Oreo the creme lands on. Throughout the commercial, various historical and fictional decisions are reimagined by depicting what it would be like if people made critical decisions with the help of an Oreo.

Why did Hydrox sue Oreo? ›

The company and its CEO Ellia Kassoff claim the Oreo manufacturer is intimidating retailers and instructing workers who restock its creme-filled chocolate cookies in stores to hide, misplace or move Hydrox to less desirable locations. “I'm going to be pursuing a lawsuit against them,” Kassoff said in an interview.

What does Oreo stand for? ›

The most common version asserts that Oreo derives from or, French for "gold" and supposedly the color of the original packaging. Others say it stands for "orexigenic," a medical term for substances that stimulate the appetite (including cannabis).

What is the story behind the Oreo Brothers? ›

A long time ago, two brothers disliked each other.

Jacob and Joseph Loose ran two competing bakeries in Kansas City, Missouri. Jacob invented the Hydrox cookie. It was a chocolate cookie with vanilla creme filling. Joseph copied his brother and created Oreo, but he struggled to build a successful company.

Which is older, Hydrox or Oreo? ›

Hydrox cookies were debuted in 1908 by a Kansas City company, four years before the Oreo. Over the last century, Hydrox have become the edible embodiment of what it means to be second-best in America.

Is Oreo vegan? ›

Most varieties of Oreos are vegan, including the Classic, Double Stuf, Mega Stuf, Golden, and Thins varieties.

What is an Oreo made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, PALM OIL, SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA OIL, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, SOY LECITHIN, ...

Did Lady Gaga make Oreos? ›

Lady Gaga teamed up with America's favorite cookie to create a new music-inspired Oreo that will help spread musical messages of kindness. The two cultural iconics concocted these one-of-a-kind pink Chromatica Oreos with green creme filling inspired by her feel-good dance album, "Chromatica."

How old is the oldest Oreo? ›

Introduced: 1912

First introduced in the U.S. in 1912, Oreo has become the world's top selling cookie and is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. In markets around the world, Oreo comes in surprising local flavors, like blueberry and green tea ice cream, and fun shapes and forms.

What cookie did Oreo ripoff? ›

Oreo was created in 1912 as an imitation of Hydrox. Oreo eventually surpassed Hydrox in popularity, which resulted in the Hydrox cookies being perceived by many as an Oreo off-brand, despite the opposite being the case.

Do they still sell Hydrox? ›

Nabisco, the maker of Oreo (and a subsidiary of Mondelez Inc.), commands nearly 40% of the cookie market. Hydrox, meanwhile, was discontinued in 2003. It came back in 2015 thanks to Leaf Brands, a San Diego-based company that specializes in reheated nostalgia.

Why did Oreo fail in China? ›

The problem, as Warren put it, “was that we were looking for American consumers in China”. The Oreo in China simply focused too much on the global market, and not enough on the local market. It essentially had its name translated into the local language and dropped into China.

What does Oreo cookie mean in slang? ›

Oreo cookie (plural Oreo cookies) (slang, idiomatic, mildly pejorative) A black person that appears to the community to embody the social and cultural features of a white person quotations ▼ (slang, sexual) A threeway involving two black participants and one white participant between them quotations ▼

What is the best-selling cookie in the world? ›

The best-selling cookie in the world is none other than the Oreo. This iconic sandwich cookie has been delighting consumers since its introduction in 1912. With its classic combination of two chocolate wafers and a sweet, creamy filling, the Oreo has become a beloved treat for people of all ages.

Who owns Oreo now? ›

The Oreo brand has been owned by Mondelez International since 2012. According to Mondelez, it takes two hours to make and bake one Oreo cookie. The company operates factories in 18 countries around the world that produce 40 billion cookies per year.

Who is the father of Oreo? ›

Samuel J. Porcello (May 23, 1935 – May 12, 2012) was an American food scientist who worked at Nabisco for 34 years. He is particularly noted for his work on the modern Oreo cookie. Porcello held five patents directly related to the Oreo.

What is Oreos rival? ›

Its rival Oreo would become the definitive creme-cookie sandwich, while Hydrox would languish in obscurity, eventually being discontinued until revived, discontinued again, and brought back. Hydrox isn't a causality of any major misstep; it simply lost out in the cutthroat world of snacks.

Why was Hydrox discontinued? ›

“There were probably associations that you and I as consumers didn't like about the brand.” Kassoff said it was sales and marketing decisions, not the product, that led to Hydrox's demise. “The misconception about resurrecting brands is, 'Oh, these brands must have died because nobody wanted them anymore,'” he said.

What are the old knock off Oreos? ›

The Story of the Vanishing Cookie Hydrox® “The Original Sandwich Cookie,” debuted in 1908 as the signature product of Sunshine Biscuits®. The cookie ruled the category until 1912 when National Biscuit, later Nabisco®, created Oreo® to compete with Hydrox®.

Is Oreo an Israeli product? ›

Answer: Explanation: No, Oreo is not an Israeli product. Oreo is a popular brand of sandwich cookies that is manufactured by the American company Nabisco (National Biscuit Company), which is now part of the multinational conglomerate Mondelez International.

What is Oreo famous for? ›

Today, Oreo is the world's top selling cookie. Whether you enjoy the original, green tea, dulce de leche or one of the many flavors found around the world, one thing remains right at the heart of milk's favorite cookie: the iconic “twist, lick, dunk” ritual that brings people together like no other biscuit can!

What is the best selling cookie in the world? ›

The best-selling cookie in the world is none other than the Oreo. This iconic sandwich cookie has been delighting consumers since its introduction in 1912. With its classic combination of two chocolate wafers and a sweet, creamy filling, the Oreo has become a beloved treat for people of all ages.

What is America's favorite cookie? ›

America's favorite cookie and the one dubbed “the American cookie” is the Chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate chip cookie is simply tantalizing both in flavor and in texture. The chips of both milk and dark chocolate provide you with a rich and strong flavor while the butter makes the cookies velvety.

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