Swedish Fish Oreos: How the Hell Did We Get Here

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."

Oreo/Official

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.

David Coggins

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.

The Holidaze

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.

Oreo/Official

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.

Eater

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.

Oreo/Official

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?

Oreo/Official

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.