We all know that Hoboken brought us famous figures like Maria Pepe, one of the first girls to ever play Little League baseball; Buddy Valastro, the mastermind behind Cake Boss; and of course, Frank Sinatra, who needs no intro. But fun fact, Hoboken also gave us that chocolate deliciousness that is the Oreo cookie. Yes, that classic treat, snack, and dessert has some bona fide Mile Square roots. Let’s take a look back at just where the Oreo originated and how it came to be. Chances are, it might just look a little familiar. Read on to learn all about the history of the Oreo in Hoboken, New Jersey.
History of the Oreo
The Oreo — then known as the Oreo Biscuit — was the brainchild of Nabisco, which in 1912 went by the National Biscuit Company. Nabisco developed the Oreo in Chelsea, Manhattan in what is known today as the Chelsea Market. Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets remains an homage to the Oreo to this day, as it’s known as Oreo Way.
The first Oreo design featured a wreath-like look around the edge of the cookie. “OREO” was printed in the center, as it still is today, but the price point was significantly different. In the early days, Oreos were 25 cents a pound and instead of being sold on shelves in plastic packaging, the chocolate-and-vanilla-frosting cookies came in metal canisters.
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So, where does Hoboken come in? Well, when it came time to sell the Oreo as a product, the first transaction happened right here in the Mile Square. The very first Oreo Biscuit was sold on March 6th, 1912 in Hoboken, according to TIME. That makes Hoboken home of the first-ever Oreo sale.
That first Oreo went to Hoboken grocer S.C. Theusen. Theusen had a grocery store on 10th and Washington Street and because of his serendipitous cookie purchase, paved the way for the Mile Square to be the very first city to enjoy the now-famous Oreo.
How It Came to Be
The filling of the Oreo was developed in New York by food scientist Sam Porcello. Porcello, who also created a version of the Oreo covered in dark chocolate and white chocolate, started the creme filling recipe with a trans fat called lard. It’s since been replaced with hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is why the cookie is a fan-favorite among plant-based eaters.
How the Oreo Has Changed
Remember that original name, the Oreo Biscuit? Since 1912, the goodness of the Oreo hasn’t changed, but the name certainly has several times. In 1921, it became the “Oreo Sandwich” and then it changed again in 1948 to the “Oreo Crème Sandwich.” Then in 1974, it changed for one more final time, becoming the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie, which remains the official name of the Oreo to this day, nearly 50 years later.
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Other Snacks Hoboken Is Famous For
Hoboken has quite a decorated history of providing the nation with some delectable snacks. From Twinkies to Tootsie Rolls, several manufacturing and distributing factories got their start in Hoboken as early as the 1800s — Hostess, the ice cream cone, and more.
But needless to say, we’re big fans of the Oreo. So, celebrate National Oreo Day by grabbing a box of these delicious treats and enjoy eating them in and around Hoboken.
