The Fascinating History of Oreos
Our Thai Tea Cookies & Cream, made with Oreos, inspired us to explore their intriguing history. Did you know that 60 billion Oreos are sold every year?
The history of Oreos is a fascinating journey that goes back over a century and reflects the evolution of not only a beloved cookie but also the culture and tastes of consumers around the world. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, the story of Oreos is one of innovation, marketing, and enduring popularity.
Birth of the Oreo: The Oreo cookie was introduced by the National Biscuit Company on March 6, 1912. Originally called the "Oreo Biscuit," the origin of the name remains a subject of debate. Theories range from the French word "or," meaning gold (a nod to the early packaging), to the Greek word "oreo," meaning beautiful, nice, or well-done.
Early Design and Evolution: The original Oreo design featured a wreath around the edge of the cookie and bore the imprint "OREO BISCUIT." This design was altered in 1924 to the familiar embossed design with the word "OREO" and intricate pattern we know today.
Global Expansion and Variations: Over the years, Oreos expanded beyond the United States, gaining popularity internationally. Nabisco introduced various flavor variations and limited-edition releases to cater to diverse tastes, including Mint, Peanut Butter, Golden, and more. The iconic Double Stuff Oreo was introduced in 1975.
Memorable Advertising Campaigns: Oreo’s memorable advertising campaigns have become cultural touchstones. The "Twist, Lick, Dunk" slogan, introduced in the 1990s, encouraged consumers to enjoy Oreos in creative ways. Oreo's Super Bowl blackout tweet in 2013 ("You can still dunk in the dark") demonstrated the brand's ability to engage with pop culture moments.
Oreo's Role in Popular Culture: Oreos have appeared in countless movies, TV shows, and even artwork.
What is the best way to eat an Oreo? Do you twist? Are you team Double Stuff or Team Original?
Why Our Matcha Tastes So Good
Here I am in Kyoto drinking matcha, eating matcha ice cream, and matcha tiramisu.
Last December, right after Alleyway closed and Japan finally welcomed tourists back, I got to taste some real matcha for the first time. It was a game-changer and that’s when I realized that Alleyway's matcha needed a serious upgrade. So, I went on a mission and found this amazing matcha straight from Kagoshima. Kagoshima is the best region for organic matcha thanks to the active Sakurajima volcano and nutrient packed volcanic soil. It’s very expensive, but perfect for our ice cream.
What I Learned About Matcha
Matcha’s history goes back at least 800 years with roots in Zen Buddhism. Initially introduced to Japan by Zen monks, the ceremonial preparation and consumption of matcha became an integral part of their meditation practice. The delicate process involves grinding shade-grown tea leaves into a fine powder, which is then whisked into a frothy drink using a bamboo whisk and hot water. This meditative ritual remains alive in traditional tea ceremonies, where every movement is deliberate and imbued with meaning.
What's the deal with Thai Tea?
Here I am in Bangkok at Guss Damn Good ice cream, maybe the only other similarly sized ice cream shop.
The history of tea in Thailand dates back at least four centuries to the reign of King Narai of Ayutthaya. However, tea drinking was only allowed in the capital, at least according to French diplomat Simon de La Loubèr.
De La Loubèr wrote, "Siamese people do not put sugar in their tea and drink it hot, like the Chinese do. It is considered rude to refuse tea; one must take a seat and consume when invited.”
The Indian practice of putting milk eventually traveled to Thailand. Tea was still served hot, but milk and sugar were added. By 1893, Thai entrepreneurs were selling Mam Tun Hua, or sweetened condensed milk and some people began adding it to their tea.
The introduction of ice factories in 1903 led to the popularity of iced tea in shops, eateries, and well-to-do homes during King Rama VI's reign in the 1920s.
The Thai iced tea we know today began in 1945 with the arrival of the ChaTraMue brand. The brand's owner was a Chinese immigrant to Thailand who imported tea from China.
In Thai restaurants, it is served in a tall glass, but when sold from street and market stalls it’s usually poured over the crushed ice in a plastic bag or tall plastic cups.
Recipes for Thai tea have changed over the decades. Some shops use Assam red leaves, some use Ceylon tea, and others use a mix of both. ChaTraMue is still a popular brand, but we use Pantai brand Thai Tea in our Thai Tea Cookies & Cream.
Why is Thai tea orange? The first reason is that the leaves used to make Thai tea are a naturally orange color. These leaves are typically a blend of black tea and Assam tea, which both have a reddish-orange hue. When these leaves are brewed, they release their natural color into the water, giving the tea its signature orange color.
The second reason is that Thai entrepreneurs wanted their tea to stand out from other teas on the market. In the 1940s, when Thai tea was invented, there were many different types of tea available, and it was difficult for Thai entrepreneurs to get their tea noticed. To make their tea stand out, they decided to dye it orange. The orange color was eye-catching and helped to set their tea apart from the competition.
Today, there is still some debate about the true reason for the orange color of Thai tea. Some people believe that the leaves are the primary source of the color, while others believe that the dye is still used. Ultimately, the true reason may never be known. However, one thing is for sure: the orange color of Thai tea is one of its most distinctive features.
Fun fact: I thought of making Thai Tea Cookies & Cream when I was drinking Thai tea in Chiang Mai and noticed a box of Oreos in a store’s window.
What Happened to Friendly's?
Do you remember Friendly’s? Did you know there used to be three location in Kingston? I recently watched this video about the rise and fall of Friendly’s. My Dad used to take me and my sister there as kids and I always got a Cone Head Sundae.
Did you go there? What did you get and what are your memories? What do you think went wrong?
From Ancient Luxury to Modern Delight: The Fascinating Journey of Vanilla
Vanilla is native to Mexico, and it was first cultivated by the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations. The Maya used vanilla to flavor a chocolate drink. When the Spanish conquered Mexico in the 16th century, they brought the drink back to Europe, where it quickly became a popular luxury item.
However, vanilla was difficult to grow outside of Mexico, as it requires a specific climate and environment. In the early 19th century, Edmond Albius, a 12-year-old enslaved person discovered how to pollinate vanilla flowers by hand, which made it possible to grow vanilla in other parts of the world. This led to a boom in vanilla production.
The rise of vanilla as a popular spice coincided with the rise of industrialization. As factories became more common, vanilla became more affordable and accessible to the general public. This led to a decline in the perceived value of vanilla. Vanilla was no longer seen as a rare and exotic spice, but rather as a common and ordinary one. If you try our Madagascar Vanilla ice cream, however, you’ll realize this view of vanilla is obviously wrong.