Oreos

In 1912 Nabisco introduced the Oreo cookie to compete with Hydrox Biscuit Bonbons, which had been launched by Sunshine Biscuit brand four years earlier. Both brands were round dark‑chocolate sandwich cookies with a vanilla cream filling. The origin for the term “Oreo” is unknown, but the name was a good choice for it became one of the most successful cookies in American history.

In 1974 Nabisco officially changed the name of the product to Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. During the 1990s Nabisco introduced a variety of new Oreo products, such as a lower‑calorie version of Oreos. The company also introduced Oreos with special coloring for special holidays, such as Halloween and Christmas. In 2000 Nabisco was acquired by Kraft Foods, Inc., which has expanded the Oreo cookie line; there are versions with twice the regular amount of filling (Doub’l Stuff), Oreos with different flavored fillings, and chocolate‑covered Oreos. Oreos have been used in crumbled format in ice cream and in Cookies ‘n Cream Chess Bars, a southern favorite.