Cheez-It: 100 Years Later
December 7, 2021
By: Isabelle Marx and Johanna Marx
(Image Credit: Dayton.com)
Have you ever heard of those cheese crackers called Cheez-It? It’s a very tasty snack enjoyed by many people. Cheez-Its have been around since 1921. They were first produced in a factory on the corner of Concord and Cincinnati Streets.
The company, Green & Green cracker took a collection of grahams, crackers, and gingersnaps that were shipped across the region and baked them. On March 23, 1921, the company trademarked the name “Cheez-it”.
How it Became Popular—Going From Medicine to Snack
In 1841, Dr. William W. Wolf moved to Dayton to practice homeopathy, which believes in the healing power of food. Dr. Wolf created the Wolf Cracker, a hard butter snack made for medicinal purposes. Back then, crackers were considered healthy since they had a more “natural” ratio of non-nourishing and nourishing parts. Homeopaths, like Dr. Wolf, believed heating food helped digestion, so doctors ordered these Wolf Crackers. But soon the savory, buttery, and nut-like flavor of the Wolf Crackers became a popular treat rather than medicine!
While customers liked the hard butter-cracker, they also wanted a flakier treat. So the company, which was now called the Green & Green Company, unveiled a “baked rarebit” in 1921: the Cheez-It!
Cheez-It Flavors—How Has It Changed Over Time?
(Image Credit: Food & Wine Magazine)
Cheez-Its have changed a lot over the years. The company has made crackers Snap’d, Grooves, Duoz, and Snack mix. Here is a list of some of the flavors: Original, Extra Toasty, Extra Cheesy, Extra Big, White Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Cheddar Jack, Whole Grain, Italian 4 cheese, Cheese Pizza, Hot & Spicy, Reduced Fat Snack, Buffalo Wing, and Scooby-Doo Cheez-it.
What Other Snacks Are Older Than You Thought?
Twinkies
( Image Credit: Christian Cable / Flickr / CC 2.0)
Twinkies were first produced in 1930 by the Continental Baking Company in Illinois.
M&Ms
(Image Credit: Delish.com)
M&Ms were first released in 1941, making them 80 years old! They began as snacks for the U.S. military in World War 2. M&Ms have also been on space flights for NASA!
Oreo
(Image Credit: Mashed)
Oreos were first introduced as Oreo Biscuits in 1912 and later became Oreo Sandwiches in 1921.
What do you think? You were surprised by any of this food history? Tell us in the comments below!
Sources:
Carson Dowling • Dec 10, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Cheez-It Party
Finn Gibson • Dec 10, 2021 at 4:07 pm
cheez-it CHEEZ-IT
Eli • Dec 10, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Oreos where not the first biscuit cookie, Oreos copied there cookies from a cookie called shamrocks.