National Oreo Cookie Day

The story

The Oreo Biscuit made its debut in 1912, created by Nabisco (then the National Biscuit Company). It featured two crisp chocolate cookies with a creamy white filling and was first manufactured on Ninth Avenue in New York, later renamed Oreo Way. Though popular, it wasn’t until decades later that the Oreo evolved into the cookie we know today.

Much of its success is thanks to Sam J. Porcello, Nabisco’s principal food scientist. He perfected the cream filling, turning a simple cookie into an icon. By 1952, the Oreo’s signature embossed design and flavor were finalized and have remained unchanged since.

But where did the name Oreo come from? Theories vary. Some believe it comes from or, the French word for gold, referencing the cookie’s original packaging. Others suggest it’s from the Greek oreo, meaning beautiful or mountain-like. Or perhaps it’s just a creative mashup of the letters in cream and chocolate.

Since its launch, the Oreo has evolved. Double Stuf Oreos arrived in 1975, followed by fudge-covered versions in 1987 and holiday-themed Oreos in the ‘90s. Today, flavors range from Mint and Peanut Butter to Birthday Cake, proving that the world’s favorite cookie keeps reinventing itself. Whether eaten whole, twisted apart, or crumbled into desserts, the Oreo remains a beloved classic.