15 Things You Didn't Know About Oreos
It's no secret that we are just a tad Oreo obsessed here at Delish, and who can blame us? For more than 100 years, these iconic cookies have been incorporated into almost every food imaginable. So while we thought our Oreo game was on point, we were surprised to learn that there's more to love (and know) about milk's favorite cookie.
1. Oreo has been the best-selling cookie in the United States since its introduction in 1912.
The Oreo has been continuously dominating the cookie world, which is crazy considering it all started as a simple idea to sandwich crème in between two pieces of chocolate. More than 450 billion Oreos have been sold since it was first introduced.
2. No one knows how the Oreo got its name.
You would think that such a prestigious cookie would be given a name to define it's excellence, but truthfully no one knows why it is called an "Oreo". There are a few rumors that the cookie was named after the French word for gold, "or" (the original packaging for the cookie used to be gold) or that it is a combination of the "re" in "cream" and the two "o"s in "chocolate." Or quite possibly someone was just like "Hmm, Oreo, that's cool," and rolled with it. The world will never know.
3. There's an "Oreo Way".
In 1898, several baking companies came together and created the National Biscuit Company, or more commonly known as Nabisco. They opened a bakery between 15th and 16th Street in New York at the Chelsea Market Building, which now celebrates its status as the birthplace of the Oreo. Thus, 15th Street at Ninth Avenue is officially, "Oreo Way."
4. They used to be made with lard.
Like many things, Oreo filling was once made using lard. Luckily (or unluckily for lard fans) Nabisco got the memo and switched to vegetable oil in the '90s.
5. The Oreo is actually a knock-off.
Just like that Coach bag you told all your friends in middle school was real, the Oreo is a knockoff. Hydrox cookies were invented by a company called Sunshine in 1908 and it was basically the same as an Oreo except a little crunchier and less sweet. They've all but disappeared, there are rumblings that Hydox may be plotting a comeback.
6. The ratio of the Oreo is precise.
The perfection of an Oreo cookie is down to an exact science. The cookie- to- crème ratio of an original Oreo cookie is always, without fail, 71 percent to 29 percent.
7. Men and women eat Oreos differently.
It has been discovered that 84 percent of men eat Oreos whole, while 41 percent of women twist the cookie in half. The gender gap has never seemed wider.
8. They used to have a different name.
The Oreo has gone through multiple identity crises in the past. In 1912, it was called the Oreo Biscuit, in 1921 it was the Oreo Sandwich, then in 1937 it was the Oreo Crème Sandwich and finally in 1974 it became the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie.
9. A Nabisco mail boy created the design printed on each cookie.
Nabisco will deny it, but the rumor is a mail boy, William Turnier, created the embossed design on the Oreo. William's son, Bill Turnier, has an original blueprint of the modern Oreo design up on his wall and written on the back is his father's name and the date 7/17/52—two years before the design ended up on the Oreos. The design contains exactly 12 flowers, 12 dots and 12 dashes. People have tried to make historical references for why the design looks the way it does saying that it resembles symbols favored by the Knights Templar, but maybe a mail guy just got bored and started to doodle.
10. The first Oreo was sold on March 6, 1912 in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Sorry Neil Armstrong, but being the first person to buy an Oreo is a lot cooler than being the first person to walk on the moon.
11. The original didn't hit the market alone.
There was a lemon meringue flavor but it wasn't as popular so it was discontinued.
12. Oreos used to be sold by weight.
They used to cost 30 cents per pound. A pound of regular Oreos has about 40 cookies. Something tells me our waistlines are happy about this change.
13. There are a lot of Oreos on this planet.
If you took all the Oreos ever made and lined them up end to end along the equator it would circle the Earth 381 times. Stacked, they would reach the moon and back more than five times.
14. You can now customize them.
Oreo Colorfilled is an extremely limited-edition offering that will set you back a steep $15, though that includes shipping. The fun packs are available now and can be ordered on the brand's online shop, where you can digitally color the design or pick a template and color it at home.
15. And you can turn them into a tree.
Just because WHY NOT?
PIN IT FOR LATER:
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