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

The Sweet History of the Oreo Cookie | The Sugar Association? ›

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.

What is the story behind 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 cookie was Oreo a knockoff of? ›

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.

How much did Hydrox sue Oreo for? ›

Kassoff has expressed concern about Mondelēz's before. Upset with the Chicago-based company's efforts to diminish his brand's presence in the competitive cookie aisle, he filed an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission in 2018 seeking $800 million in damages.

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 was the mystery Oreo? ›

After weeks of examination and investigative help from super-sleuths around the nation, the case of the Mystery OREO is officially closed! Masking itself as the classic black and white cookie, the subject in question is none other than… Churro!

Why is an Oreo cookie so dark? ›

Cocoa colors an Oreo black

Upon inspecting the ingredient list of Oreo cookies, you'll find that the only ingredient that significantly contributes to its color is cocoa powder, of which the cookies contain about 4.5%*. This confirms that they are indeed chocolate cookies.

What were old Oreos called? ›

They called their creation Hydrox. It was America's first chocolate sandwich cookie. Most people think of Oreos as a key ingredient in Cookies and Cream ice cream, but many ice cream parlors used to use Hydrox.

Is there a rare Oreo? ›

Pokemon Mew Oreo Cookie - Ultra Rare.

Do they still sell Hydrox? ›

In 2001, Kellogg's acquired Keebler and Droxies soon was dropped. Other than a brief reappearance in 2008 for the cookie's 100th anniversary, Hydrox has been absent from shelves. Under federal law, a brand goes back into the public domain if it is not used for three years.

What is Oreos rival? ›

Description. 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®.

How much did Oreos cost in 1912? ›

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.

Why did Hydrox fail? ›

To get your business going, you have to be aware of the competitor's move in every territory and store. If you fail to do that, your sales can drastically go down and your competitor will rise above the brim. That's what happened with Hydrox in the US.

What does the R stand for in Oreo? ›

OREO is a mnemonic. O stands for Opinion; tell how you feel about the topic. R stands for Reasons; tell your readers why you feel this way.

Who makes Hydrox cookies now? ›

Kellogg's removed Droxies® from the market in 2003. Leaf® Brands is proud to bring back the original sandwich cookie, Hydrox®!

How did Oreo celebrate 100 years? ›

Bakers created spectacular 100th Oreo birthday cakes to appear on TV and at public appearances. The bakers also made celebratory Oreo recipes which were promoted through regional media tours.

What does Oreo stand for in banking? ›

National banks may hold other real estate owned (OREO) under certain circ*mstances for prescribed periods. Real property becomes other real estate owned through a variety of circ*mstances; for example, as conveyance in satisfaction of debts previously contracted or the relocation of banking premises.

What type of creature is an Oreo? ›

Pseudocyttus maculatus, the smooth oreo or smooth dory, is an oreo, the only species in the genus Pseudocyttus. It is found in all southern oceans at depths of between 400 and 1,500 metres (1,300 and 4,900 ft). Its length is up to 60 centimetres (24 in).

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!

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