Oreo Turns 100 Today
I open my Oreo cookie, carefully, then eat the cream out of the center before crunching into each cookie half. Today is another great excuse to tear into a package of Oreos and get all the creamy centers I can: The cookie is turning 100 years old. That's right — this black-and-white favorite has been around since 1912.
Back when it was called the Oreo Biscuit, production of the Oreo by the National Biscuit Company (NBC) was right here in the current home of Food Network, Chelsea Market. Susan Watson, a Manager in Kraft Foods archive, explained that even though there were hundreds of National Biscuit Company cookie products, Oreo became one of their most popular items. Ads dating back to the 1920s show the cookies being pulled apart to reveal their creamy white center. Today, there are more than 21 bakeries around the world cranking out the cookies.
Each day as Food Network employees enter the building, we're greeted by tiles emblazoned with NBC, dating back to the early 1900s. A representative from Chelsea Market informed me that even the boiler room in the basement dates back to when the Oreo was being produced within these walls. That's a lot of history for such a small treat.
How are you celebrating Oreo's 100th? Our friends at Cooking Channel marked the occasion by tasting the new birthday cake-flavored versions that were released in honor of the big day.