When did we start eating Cheese Crackers?

A 100-year-old origin story

Snack time is life. And not just for the kids. Grownups enjoy a good snack just as much. I know I sure do. Just last night, I had a hankering for something salty, so I had a little blend of the Parmesan flavor with extra-extra crunchy. Hit. The. Spot. Amid the noise about what’s healthy today and what isn’t, boxed cheese crackers have gotten a bad rap.

But that’s not at all how it started …

Concocted for Health

The early cheese cracker was introduced by a doctor to aid his patients’ digestion, and it was quite different from what it is today. Homeopathic Dr. William W. Wolf in the 1840s believed in the healing power of food–there is great truth in that!–and he “concocted the Wolf Cracker, a curious hard-butter snack made for medicinal purposes.” He was then named Dayton, Ohio’s “Cracker King.” His invention began to interest those who were not ill, as well.

Then along came Sylvester Graham, who shared Wolf’s ambitions but also pointed out that foods were “too exciting.” (Can you believe that?) “Christian physiologists of the day were concerned that a modern diet contained too many stimulating substances and Graham also dubiously believed his crackers could cure licentiousness,” hence his much plainer version. Graham introduced the world to the graham cracker (but much plainer and more unpleasant from the ones we enjoy with our s’mores, of course).

“They believed there was too much nourishment per food unit in modern bread, too much excitement. So they recommended grain products made from coarse flour, which, they believed, contained a more natural ratio of nourishing and non-nourishing parts. Crackers were considered health food.”

I tell you, it’s concerning when food gets mixed up with morality. I personally believe the two should not be confused.

From rarebit to Cheez-It

Before May 23, 1921, “Cheez-It” didn’t mean anything to anyone—yet. The known delicacy of the time was the “baked rarebit” brought to the world by the Green & Green cracker company. These guys also marketed varieties of grahams, gingersnaps, and other types of crackers. Well, the rarebit was originally (and still is today) baked over an open hearth at the Carillon Brewing Company in Dayton, Ohio. Today, you’ll find experts in costumes baking them in the fire like they used to. The brewery is one of the attractions enjoyed at the Carillon Historical Park.

This open-air historical museum sounds like a super interesting detour if you’re ever passing through that part of Ohio. My toddler would especially love the train portion!

Even the historic Edgemont neighborhood looks so inviting, like a small town America.

“On May 23, 1921, when Green & Green decided to trademark the tasty treat’s unique name, the Cheez-It was born.”

“Get your own box” of Cheez-Its

Since its inception over the open flames in Ohio, cheese crackers have been under these company names:

Green and Green Company 1921
Sunshine Biscuit Company 1931
Keebler 1996
Kellogg’s 2001

The cheese cracker isn’t quite the perfect square share at all. It’s more like a rectangle, and the orange color comes from annatto and paprika. And the cheese content is fairly low in comparison to the other ingredients.

And I love this quote:

“People were familiar with the rarebit, a sort of melted butter beer cheese (remember the brewery?) cheese spread over toast. Cheez-It offered the same great taste, only baked down into a cracker that will last.”

Closing Thoughts

While I don’t prefer to take my meals with a side of morality, I do prefer to choose the best foods for my family to enjoy. So we will crack open a box of store bought Cheez-Its, sure, but my all time favorite kinds are the ones I make from scratch…

Now you know the back story of the cheese cracker that we love so much, remember there is a load of history behind its invention and there are still people baking them over an open fire somewhere in Dayton, Ohio.

Continue as you will at snack time. But I can guarantee you will never regret trying it homemade.

Homemade sourdough cheese crackers

(My absolute favorite!!)

I made some last week, and they lasted only that day. This is the good stuff. I kid you not. They’re perfect to prepare for pool days, beach days, or any day, really. And paired with a homemade iced latte (what I’m craving right now while writing this).

Download recipe card!

Online references:

Thanks for reading along!!