Oreo is known for releasing limited-edition flavors with a short marketing shelf life. Remember the triple-stuffed Team USA Cookies released for the 2020 Summer Olympics? Or the glittery Trolls Oreos in conjunction with the movie's release? They were cookies for a certain place in time.
Other limited-edition flavors aren’t necessarily tied to a specific event, so when the company recently hinted that it was bringing back a fan-favorite Oreo, fans took the opportunity to beg Oreo to bring back their other faves.
Which Oreo Flavors Do Fans Want Back?
Oreo lovers have plenty of flavors to choose from. Since the National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco) introduced the Oreo cookie in 1912, the brand has created over 100 varieties of the popular snack. According to the New York Times, between 2012 and 2020, the brand released 65 flavors.These are just a few of those flavors people are begging to taste again.
Red Velvet
The limited-release red Oreos with cream cheese-flavored filling appeared on shelves in February 2015. They stuck around longer than originally planned, but Nabisco eventually phased them out. But fans haven’t forgotten about them. “Please let it be Red Velvet!!” begged IG user @caitlinmeleskiartwork. “If it ain’t red velvet then delete your page,” demanded @senpai_tha_gawd.
Birthday Cake
Introduced in February 2012 to celebrate the cookie’s 100th birthday, these cookies were off the market by the following July. Originally the cookies were chocolate with birthday cake-flavored filling and sprinkles, but Nabisco later released a golden Oreo version too. That’s the version @kevinjdebruin let Oreo know he wanted when he wrote, “This better be GOLDEN COOKIE BIRTHDAY CAKE.”
Blueberry Pie
For a limited time in 2016, cookie lovers had to go to Target to get Blueberry Pie Oreos. The cookies were golden with blueberry pie-flavored creme. Many people requested blueberry pie on Instagram. @lttlelivielove made that clear saying, “WE NEED BLUEBERRY PIE,” and @nellienose chimed in, “seconded! blueberry pls!!”
“I appreciate all the blueberry pie love,” commented @zopanz, “but did we all forget about FRUITY CRISP?!! Either would be wayyyyy better than cotton candy.”
Fruity Crisp
In June of 2016, Oreo released the Fruity Crisp flavor, with colored rice crisps in the vanilla creme that was sandwiched between the chocolate cookies. “Funny how you don’t listen to the masses when they request Fruity Crisp. It’s me. I’m the masses,”quipped @xtheenigmax. @suziejeffcoat412 also gave a vote for the flavor saying, “FRUITY CRISP needs to come back!”
Why Do Oreo Flavors Get Discontinued?
It would be logistically difficult for Oreo to manufacture all its flavors at all times, and grocery stores wouldn’t have the shelf space to simultaneously carry every flavor. The Ingenuity reveals there’s another reason for the rise of limited-edition products.
Limited-edition products are seen as scarce and exclusive. That creates “an urgency to purchase.” Sixty percent of consumers say they purchase limited-edition products so they don’t miss out on them. Limited-edition products are quick, but limited, revenue generators for brands, and they give companies a bump in brand awareness.
Fans begging Oreo to re-release their favorite flavor may get their wish at some point, but the odds are that the flavor won’t last long.
