When I hear the word Hydrox I think of Hydroxycut. Hydroxycut was one of those crazy weight loss pills from the ‘90s. But Hydrox is a cookie. Maybe it’s because of that name that Hydrox played second fiddle to Oreos for years. But what is Hydrox? Are Hydrox cookies still made? Did Oreo copy Hydrox? When was Hydrox made? Let’s dive into Hydrox vs Oreo!
What is Hydrox?
Hydrox is a chocolate sandwich cookie with a cream filling. If that sounds familiar to you, it’s because Oreos are essentially the same exact thing. In 1882 a guy named Jacob Loose started what would become Sunshine Biscuits. Sunshine Biscuits debuted their most popular cookie, Hydrox, in 1908. That’s right, Hydrox was made in 1908, over 100 years ago. The name was supposed to sound fresh and clean, like the hydrogen and oxygen in water. But it sounded more like hydrogen peroxide. And, indeed, that chemically sounding name was a turnoff for many people.
Hydrox vs Oreo
So did Oreo copy Hydrox? You bet they did! Even though Hydrox always seemed to be the Pepsi to Oreo’s co*ke, the Sega to their Nintendo, the WWF to their WCW, Hydrox actually debuted first. Hydrox was released in 1908 and Nabisco released Oreos on April 2, 1912. Nabisco described their cookie as “two beautifully embossed chocolate-flavored wafers with a rich cream filling,” which could also describe Hydrox just as well.
When it comes down to the minute differences, the design on the Hydrox wafer is a more intricate flower. Oreos are slightly sweeter. And the Hydrox chocolate biscuits are a little harder, standing up to a milk dunk a little better. But the biggest difference between Oreos and Hydrox was that Oreos had a better name and Nabisco marketed the heck out of them. One of the only reasons that Hydrox stuck around as long as they did is because they were kosher and Oreos were not. But in 1998, Oreo got the lard out of their cream and became kosher as well.
Are Hydrox cookies still made?
Good news for everybody reading this and wanting to try some weirdo Oreos: You can still buy Hydrox! That wasn’t the case for a few years, though. Keebler took over Sunshine Biscuits in the late ‘90s and gave Hydrox a rebrand. But then Kellogg bought the Keebler brand in 2001 and Hydrox were no more by 2003. Hydrox were briefly released in 2008, but it seemed like that may have been their last gasp.
However, in 2015, Ellia Kassoff’s company Leaf Brands brought Hydrox back from the dead. Basically, since Kellogg had announced publicly that they had no plans to ever revive Hydox, Kassoff was able to take over the copyright and revive the original cream-filled, chocolate biscuit sandwich cookie. I always buy one pack of Hydrox along with my Oreos. Then I take them all apart and combine the two different cookies as a symbol of unity.
FAQs
Oreo eventually surpassed Hydrox in popularity, which resulted in the Hydrox cookies being perceived by many as an Oreo off-brand, despite the opposite being the case. Compared to Oreos, Hydrox cookies have a less sweet filling and a crunchier cookie shell that is less soggy when dipped in milk.
Is Hydrox out of business? ›
Sunshine Biscuits manufactured Hydrox, which at one point was the third-largest bakery in the US, for a century before being discontinued around 1999 after Keebler acquired the company.
Was Oreo or Hydrox first? ›
Hydrox aren't a knockoff — they're the original sandwich cookie. Hydrox debuted in 1908, a full four years before Oreo came out, and they were revolutionary at the time.
Why was Oreo more successful than Hydrox? ›
The truth of the matter is that Oreos outpaced its rival not just with a superior name, but with superior marketing. The patented Oreo twist was launched as a marketing idea in 1923, and in subsequent decades, Nabisco would also tailor marketing to female consumers and noticeably improve the product's packaging.
How much did Hydrox sue Oreo for? ›
The evolution and future of the snacking market
Upset with the Chicago-based company's efforts to diminish his brand's presence in the competitive cookie aisle, he filed an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission in 2018 seeking $800 million in damages. Kassoff said he has yet to hear back from the agency.
Does Kroger sell Hydrox? ›
In 2018, Kroger dropped Hydrox from its stores, according to Leaf Brands. Last year, customers complained of delays and shortages for bulk Hydrox packages on Amazon, one of the few reliable places to find Hydrox.
What does Oreo stand for? ›
Etymology. The origin of the name "Oreo" is unknown, but there are many hypotheses, including derivations from the French word or, meaning "gold", or from the Greek word ωραίο (oreo) meaning "nice" or "attractive". Others believe that the cookie was named Oreo simply because the name was short and easy to pronounce.
Who bought Hydrox cookies? ›
It debuted in 1908 and was manufactured by Sunshine® Biscuits. Sunshine Biscuits was purchased by Keebler® in 1996, and in 1999, Keebler® replaced Hydrox® with a similar but reformulated product named Droxies®.
Do they still sell Hydrox cookies? ›
LEAF Brands is proud to bring back Hydrox, the Original Sandwich Cookie! Yep, it predated Oreo and was always free of animal fats. LEAF rolled the recipe back to when real sugar, non-hydrogenated oils and high-quality cocoa were used. After years of waiting, you can now enjoy Hydrox cookies once again.
What does Hydrox taste like? ›
The biscuits are substantial and dense, with excellent cocoa flavor, not too sweet. The filling is creamy with a hint of real vanilla, and seems more generous than I expected. I may have eaten Hydrox once or twice 50 years ago as a kid, not often enough to have a memory. Premium price to be sure, but worth every penny.
Vegan Hydrox Cookie is our most popular vegan flavor! A coconut cream base with chunks of crushed. The Hydrox Cookie debuted in 1908, and was manufactured by Sunshine Biscuits for over 90 years. It was given its name to convey "purity and goodness" and is a portmanteau of hydrogen and oxygen (the elements of water).
What is the best selling cookie of all time? ›
Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.
How much is Hydrox vs Oreos? ›
The pricing will be roughly where Hydrox™ was for years: less expensive than Oreos but more expensive than store brands. If a 14-ounce package of Oreos retails for about $4; Hydrox™ will be $3 and store brand sandwich cremes often cost about $2, he says.
How old is Oreo? ›
Introduced: 1912
First introduced in the U.S. in 1912, Oreo has become the world's top selling cookie and is enjoyed in more than 100 countries. In markets around the world, Oreo comes in surprising local flavors, like blueberry and green tea ice cream, and fun shapes and forms.
Why did Oreo cookies fail in China? ›
The problem, as Warren put it, “was that we were looking for American consumers in China”. The Oreo in China simply focused too much on the global market, and not enough on the local market. It essentially had its name translated into the local language and dropped into China.
What did Oreos look like in 1912? ›
The name Oreo was trademarked on March 14, 1912. It was launched as an imitation of the original Hydrox cookie manufactured by Sunshine company, which was introduced in 1908. The original design on the face of the Oreo featured a wreath around the edge of the cookie and the name "OREO" in the center.
