Did you know, over sixty billion Oreo Cookies are sold each year around the globe? They are the best-selling cookies in the world. Oreos are available in over one hundred countries. The US makes up twenty billion of the sales annually. March 6 marked National Oreo Cookie Day! 

What is the history of Oreos? In 1898 the National Biscuit Company was formed and is now known as Nabisco. The company owns a lot of famous snack brands like Chips Ahoy, Ritz, Nutter Butter, and of course, Oreo. In 1908, another company, Sunshine Biscuits, created a cookie similar to Oreos, but it was called Hydrox. 

Four years later, Nabisco created the Oreo: two chocolate wafer cookies smushed together with smooth cream filling. The Nabisco cookie quickly outsold its competitor, Hydrox, gaining popularity. Oreo’s marketing was far superior to Hydrox, quickly outperforming the other brand. By 1928, Oreo was producing cookies in Central and South America. Oreos can now be found in over one hundred countries.

Oreo ultimately won this battle through its marketing strategies. First, the company increased its prices, in an attempt to make the cookie seem more premium. Then, Nabisco began to use print, radio, and television ads. The company also created slogans such as, “Milk’s Favorite Cookie” and “Twist, Lick, Dunk”.

Oreos were campaigned to be the best “dunking” cookie. Advertisements showed the delicious cookie being submerged in milk. Today, 75% of Americans have a positive opinion on Oreos, and 59% prefer the original flavor. There are over eighty-five different flavors, including the most popular: Double Stuf, Thins, Smores, Golden Birthday Cake, and more.

Oreo is supposedly derived from the French word “Gold” because of the original packaging. March 6 marked National Oreo Cookie Day; hopefully, you celebrated by enjoying classic milk and cookies, trying a new flavor, or sharing with a friend!