The Oreo Name Contains A Fascinating Secret
The Oreo cookie, first produced by the National Biscuit Company in 1912, (according to The Atlantic) is one of the most recognizable and beloved treats in the world. The cookie consists of two chocolate wafers sandwiching a creamy vanilla filling and has become synonymous with milk — what a perfect pairing! It's a favorite among people of all ages, mostly because it tastes great, and because of its adaptability.
Oreo cookies come in a variety of flavors, from the classic version to limited edition varieties, such as mint, Cherry-Cola, and even pumpkin spice. The cookie has also been used as an ingredient in other desserts, such as ice cream and Oreo cheesecake. Part of its success also includes Nabisco's marketing strategies and creative ad campaigns, which have made Oreo a household name. One of its longest-running campaigns, according to Marketing Week, was the "Twist, Lick, Dunk" effort, which encouraged people to twist open the cookies, lick off the filling, and then dunk the wafers in milk.
Many theories on the name
Speaking of this filling and the cookie's name, both may be holding one fascinating secret. There are several theories floating around regarding the origin of the name "Oreo," which has never quite been revealed. According to Serious Eats, one theory is that the name was inspired by the French word for gold since the original packaging of the cookie was gold in color. Insider says that one theory for the name "Oreo" is that it represents the cookie itself, with the two "O's" as the wafers and the "RE" as the cream. Another theory is that the name "Oreo" stands for "orexigenic," or a chemical that stimulates the appetite, per Food Non-fiction.
Probably the most interesting theory, though, is from Stella Parks, a New York Times best-selling author and pastry chef, who says that Nabisco has a history of naming its desserts after ancient names for flowers, such as Avena (oats), Zephyrette (a type of lily), and Ramona (buttercup) (via Serious Eats). If that same pattern follows for Oreo, the name might be simple to figure out.
Is the Oreo named after a flower?
In a piece for Serious Eats, Parks speculates that the wreath you see on the wafer section of the cookies is a type of laurel called Oreodaphne. The Plant List confirms that this is the name of a plant, and its leaves do resemble the ones found on the cookie. However, it appears that Nabisco has never confirmed where the name for its most iconic product comes from, so this is just one theory behind it.
While the world may not know for sure where the name "Oreo" originates, we have to wonder if it really matters. It's still a popular cookie and the company has branched out over the years into other Oreo products, such as Oreo Thins and Oreo Cakesters. Oreo has even released gluten-free options for customers with dietary restrictions. With its delicious taste, wide variety, and diversity of how to use the cookies in various recipes, it's no wonder that the Oreo remains a beloved treat for so many people all around the world.