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The Oreo, America’s favorite sandwich cookie, has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Oreos first emerged in 1912 when Nabisco decided to combine chocolate and creme filling, creating an iconic product people quickly came to know and love. Since then, more than 450 billion Oreos have been sold worldwide. There’s even a fake holiday in honor of the snack: National Oreo Cookie Day is March 6.
In recent years, the definition of the Oreo has expanded as new flavors and forms have hit the market. Oreos made with vanilla cookies, with thinner cookies, and with a huge range of funky creme fillings have surfaced, and many people are hard-pressed to choose their favorite. Most recently, Oreo formed a bond with another popular treat to produce one of the wilder flavors yet: Swedish Fish creme-filled Oreos. Here’s a stroll through the developments of the Oreo over the years.
1908
Hydrox cookies, inspiration to the Oreo cookie, are invented.
1912
The Oreo Biscuit hits the market.
1921
The cookie's name gets changed from "Oreo Biscuit" to "Oreo Sandwich."
1923
"The Twist" appears in advertisements for the first time, showing up on trolley cars.
1937
The cookie gets a name change again, going from "Oreo Sandwich" to "Oreo Creme Sandwich."
1974
Nabisco introduces Double Stuf Oreos into the market, making every creme lover's dreams come true.
1985
A mint creme version of the cookie appears for the first time in the U.S., and Double Stuf makes its way to Canada.
1987
Oreos get an extra dose of chocolate when the fudge-covered variety is introduced. Oreo Big Stuf cookies also appear, but only for a limited time.
1991
Getting into the holiday spirit and taking full advantage of the dark cookie, Halloween Oreos appear with orange creme. Mini Oreos join the party too.
1994
Nabisco begins the task of removing lard from the Oreo's creme filling.
1995
Christmas Oreos are introduced into the market, stuffed with red creme.
1997
Nabisco successfully removes lard from the creme filing, but it's replaced with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, still considered to be unsatisfactory.
2006
Non-hydrogenated vegetable oil is substituted as a healthier alternative to the hydrogenated oil in Oreo's creme filling.
2012
Oreo appears for Pride, decked out in rainbow creme.
2014
Rumors of a fried chicken Oreo are shot down by the company, which confirms the supposed flavor was a fake product of internet dreaming.
2015
January
Red velvet Oreos come into the world, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
July 13
Oreo Thins arrive in original, mint, and "golden" flavors.
November
Oreo launches churros with creme filling, a reason to live in this cold, dark world.
2016
January 16
Cinnamon bun Oreos arrive, possibly as a solution to the mess of actual cinnamon buns.
February 8
This version looks like another familiar snack favorite: the Hostess cake. Oreo announces a "filled cupcake" version.
March
Japan gets a matcha-flavored Oreo cookie.
May
Oreo undergoes a fruity makeover just in time for summer with two new flavors: Blueberry Pie and Fruity Crisp.
August
Oreo unleashes its Swedish Fish flavor in Kroger stores. The question we have is: Why? The original chocolate cookie and vanilla creme is a perfect food, why mess with the formula?
2017
An Oreo cookie inception is coming next year when the company releases a cookies-and-cream version. It reportedly will be exclusive to Walmart.
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