An origin story
Summer is drawing to a close, and I am not ready. I’ve made a host of precious memories with my family so far, and I am not quite ready to move on to the next calendar season. Just not yet.
This time of year comes around every 360+ some days. Once our family’s vacation has been enjoyed, then it’s everything school and fall, and you may as well start greeting everyone with a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.
Well, enough of that nonsense. I speak of summer because just a few weeks ago, I got to make a popular food item from scratch. We all loved it so much that I made it twice.
The images above, I’m sure, gave it away, but they’re Oreos — homemade Oreos. If I had time today, you bet I would be making them yet again.
Enjoy a snippet of the event below.
The little man featured admitted to preferring the ones he gets at school when he goes stinky. And while I try to overlook that twisting knife to the chest, I will acknowledge that my version is a bit unweildy as I am still finessing portions . . . third time may be the charm to win him over, perhaps?
Download the free recipe card here.
The second time I made these cookies, I brought them to some friends, and, with raised eyebrows, they asked if being homemade meant there was protein or something healthy in it. The answer was no. While they’re sweet like any old treat, they are not like ultra-healthy or anything. Just made in my own kitchen. And with love.
Now for a history lesson
On March 6, 1912, residents or passersby in Hoboken, NJ, could purchase a pound of Oreos for a quarter from the National Biscuit Company (read: Na. Bis. Co.). But for 2 additional quarters, that pound would come in a metal can with a glass top.
These addictive cookies have been consumed in 100 countries for a hundred years, even surpassing the classic chocolate chip cookie. You may already know that Oreos come in a whole host of flavors: seasonal, international, some just downright creative, and others that are better left as art.
But did you know that 4 years before the Oreo’s debut, there was a very similar cookie called the Hydrox? This “King of Biscuits” of 1908 quietly ruled. But not for long. Legend has it that brothers who were also partners in the biscuit business developed a rivalry that led to a split and the eventual creation of this familiar-looking sandwich cookie.
Revenge wasn’t as swift as expected, although we enjoy the sweetness today. Oreos just did not explode in popularity right away. It took years of advertising before this century-old favorite became famous and achieved sales of 60 billion a year. There was fierce loyalty to the Hydrox cookie, especially among the grandfathers of the 60s.
What is the right way to eat an Oreo?
Creative marketing played a strong role in the Oreo’s success. Campaigns inspired consumers to eat these cookies, and affiliations aided visibility. In 1921, the twist idea was introduced, and then in 1923, the twist, lick, and dunk.
Have you ever dunked your cookies in a cool glass of milk? But why milk? Because submerging the cookie in the liquid would soften its dry texture and enhance flavor. (I can attest to that). Some say for 2 seconds, others say 3 seconds–but what would you say? And if you don’t want to get your fingers dirty, use a fork. You’re welcome.
Supposedly, there was a strict rule that the cookie-to-cream ratio was 71% to 29%. (I doubt mine even remotely compares to this). The Double Stuf Oreo was introduced in 1974. And then, in 1997, animal lard was replaced with vegetable oil. Ugh. I use all butter in mine. None of that for me, please and thank you.
Not that anyone asked… but my favorite way to eat an Oreo is homemade. I mean, look at this:
Secrets in the design
In 1952, the Oreo sported a floral pattern on both sides of the sandwich. And the following quote says it so well:
“But consider the roster of Nabisco’s fancy biscuits in 1913: Avena, Lotus, Helicon, Zephyrette, Zaytona, Anola, Ramona, and Oreo. Someone at Nabisco clearly had a thing for botany, and to understand Oreo, you don’t have to look any further than the mountain laurel on every Hydrox—Oreodaphne. It was a copycat in every way.“
What’s in a name?
There’s pure speculation on how Oreo got its name.
Some say it’s from the French word “ore” for “gold,” a nod to the golden package it was wrapped in for a time. Some think it’s related to the ancient Greek word meaning “beautiful,” “nice,” or “well done.”
Then there’s this: “Others say it stands for “orexigenic,” a medical term for substances that stimulate the appetite (including cannabis).” Think on that for a moment, will you?
Closing thoughts
If you want more history deets, I loved this timeline.
What inspired you to write these food histories, you might ask me. Honestly, it was YouTuber Patrick Zaneili. We have been enjoying his channel for a while, and one day I realized what he does on video is what I loved doing for work a few years ago (check out these small projects in my portfolio). I just absolutely love researching and writing about food. When I realized I could write about it here, life changed, and I haven’t stopped yet.
I’ve linked Patrick’s cookie video below for funzies as well as one of Jesser’s about crazy types of Oreos–if you can stomach it.
If you see this, thank you, Patrick, for the inspiration!!
Sources:
How Oreos Got Their Name: The Rise of an American Icon
Oreo | Mondelēz International, Inc.
Thank you for reading along!
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