HYDROX cookies, which hit the market in 1908, were actually the real thing. The OREO, made in 1912, was the copycat. The cookie wars began in the 1890’s. The OREO knock-off copied the first cookie to have 2 chocolate wafers with cream filling. How the OREO cookie went from an unknown knock-off to the world’s most popular cookie starts with a sibling rivalry between baking brothers, Jacob and Joseph Loose.
The Loose brothers owned the American Biscuit Company in 1895. Then Joseph merged their company with National Biscuit Co. (Nabisco). Jacob Loose was against the merger and founded Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company. Sunshine Biscuits, an independent American baker, then acquired Loose-Wiles. Sunshine and Nabisco were constantly going head-to-head, trying to create the better version of the same cookie. Sunshine Biscuits created “Animal Crackers” and Nabisco made “Barnum’s Animals”.
One consideration in the competition was that the HYDROX cookies were Kosher and Oreo cookies were not Kosher. Eventually the two cookie brands even vied for the same shelf space in supermarkets. OREO removed pork fat from their filling in 1990 and in 1998 were declared kosher certified in the United States. The removal of lard also made them vegetarian.
In 2008 HYDROX-lover Ellia Kassoff bought the trademark of the disgraced cookie and re-released the HYDROX under his company Leaf Brands.
Their Facebook page will give you all the latest info. https://www.facebook.com/hydroxcookies/
Nabisco is now part of Mondelēz International. Mondelēz International is a young company (founded October 1, 2012), but it was built on the foundation of several predecessor companies, most of which date back over 100 years.
I tried to find Hydrox cookies locally for an independent taste test. Much to my dismay, they are only sold on Amazon and at Cracker Barrel. The competitive edge for HYDROX now includes being non-GMO, vegan, kosher, using real cane sugar and being made in the USA.
RESOURCES:
https://www.mondelezinternational.com
https://www.businessinsider.com
https://www.lovefood.com
https://www.tabletm.com
source for rx pic https://savetheflower-1967.tumblr.com
podcast https://www.iheart.comYDROX
I’ve always preferred Hydrox to the other! I’ve wondered where they went!!
Very Interesting! I had no idea and now want to taste a Hydrox cookie.
I remember hearing the name Hydrox somewhere along the way, thinking what an odd name to give a cookie. Sounds kinda chemically to me!
I always like Oreos better. Mystic Mint Oreos and Milano cookies where the major contributors to my freshman 15. Oreos now come in gluten free, so I can enjoy them again!