Pop-Tarts are a popular toaster pastry that have been around since the 1960s. With a variety of flavors available, Pop-Tarts have become a breakfast staple and snack food enjoyed by kids and adults alike. But out of all the different Pop-Tart varieties, which was the original, OG flavor that started it all?
The History of Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts were first created in the early 1960s by Kellogg’s food scientists. They were looking to develop a new convenient breakfast food that could be easily toasted and eaten on-the-go. At the time, Kellogg’s was known primarily for cereal, but they wanted to expand into new markets with innovative products.
After extensive testing, the first Pop-Tarts were released in 1964. The original flavors were strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple currant. These four flavors were chosen as they were considered traditional, popular breakfast flavors at the time that would appeal to consumers.
Pop-Tart Success and Growth
Pop-Tarts were an immediate hit with consumers when they debuted in 1964. Their popularity skyrocketed as people enjoyed the ability to have a quick, easy breakfast that could be prepared in just a few minutes in the toaster.
Given the success of the initial Pop-Tart flavors, Kellogg’s began expanding the product line rapidly. By 1967, there were 16 different Pop-Tart varieties on the market. New flavors like grape, cherry, and chocolate fudge were introduced to meet consumer demand.
Over the years, Pop-Tarts continued adding innovative flavors like s’mores, cookies and cream, and hot fudge sundae. Limited edition flavors were released seasonally, often around holidays like pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. This constant flavor innovation keeps Pop-Tarts relevant and helps drive ongoing sales.
Today, there are dozens of Pop-Tart flavors available, providing options for every taste. But which original 1960s flavor was the true OG Pop-Tart that started it all?
The OG Pop-Tart Flavor
Of the initial four Pop-Tart flavors released in 1964, the strawberry Pop-Tart is considered the original, flagship flavor.
Why Strawberry was the First Flavor
There are a few key reasons why Kellogg’s chose strawberry as the original Pop-Tart variety:
- Strawberry was seen as the most traditional, popular breakfast flavor at the time. It had mass appeal as a safe, familiar choice.
- The pink color of frosted strawberry Pop-Tarts created kid-friendly, fun branding and packaging.
- Strawberries were (and still are) a very common grocery store staple. The flavor tied into what consumers already had on hand.
- Early market research indicated that strawberry was the flavor most likely to succeed and drive mass Pop-Tart adoption.
Compared to other flavors like brown sugar cinnamon and apple currant, strawberry was the safest, most mainstream option. Kellogg’s determined the strawberry variety had the highest chance of becoming a top-selling product.
The Iconic Strawberry Pop-Tart
When one pictures a classic Pop-Tart, it’s most often the image of a frosted strawberry Pop-Tart that comes to mind.
From the beginning, the strawberry Pop-Tart was marketed and branded as the Pop-Tart. Early packages prominently featured happy, smiling kids excitedly eating strawberry Pop-Tarts.
For decades, strawberry has represented the nostalgic, traditional Pop-Tart people grew up with. It’s the flavor associated with childhood breakfasts and snacks. Even as more exotic flavors have been introduced, strawberry has remained the iconic flagship.
Today, strawberry is still one of the best-selling Pop-Tart varieties year after year. It’s popular with both kids and adults who enjoy the classic fruit pastry taste.
Pop-Tart Strawberry Flavor Varieties
While the original strawberry Pop-Tart had a simple frosted strawberry filling, there are now several strawberry varieties:
Frosted Strawberry
This remains the classic OG Pop-Tart flavor. It has a sweet strawberry filling with a crispy, frosted strawberry icing on top. This variety evokes nostalgia and remains popular decades later.
Frosted Strawberry With Sprinkles
This takes the original strawberry flavor and adds a fun rainbow sprinkle topping for extra sweetness and color.
Strawberry Milkshake
Launched in 2006, this has a creamy strawberry milkshake flavored filling to mimic that thick, frosty drink taste. It has traditional frosting on top.
Strawberry Smoothie
New in 2022, this has layers of strawberry and yogurt flavored fillings to create a fruity smoothie taste.
Chocolatey Strawberry
This combines chocolate and strawberry flavors. The filling has both cocoa and strawberry tasted, with chocolate icing on top.
| Pop-Tart Flavor | Filling | Topping |
|---|---|---|
| Frosted Strawberry | Strawberry | Frosted Strawberry |
| Frosted Strawberry with Sprinkles | Strawberry | Frosted Strawberry + Sprinkles |
| Strawberry Milkshake | Strawberry Milkshake | Frosted Strawberry |
| Strawberry Smoothie | Strawberry + Yogurt | Frosted Strawberry |
| Chocolatey Strawberry | Chocolate + Strawberry | Chocolate |
Nutrition Facts for Strawberry Pop-Tarts
While tasty, Pop-Tarts are a highly processed food and not the most nutritious breakfast option. Here are the nutrition facts for a standard frosted strawberry Pop-Tart:
Serving Size: 1 Pop-Tart (52g)
| Calories | 200 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Sugar | 13g |
| Protein | 2g |
As you can see, a single Pop-Tart contains significant amounts of refined carbohydrates, sugar, and fat. While okay for an occasional breakfast treat, Pop-Tarts should be consumed in moderation as part of an overall nutritious diet.
Pop-Tart Strawberry Flavor craze
Strawberry Pop-Tarts have remained popular for over 50 years for several reasons:
- They provide nostalgia and remind people of childhood breakfasts
- The sweet strawberry taste appeals to most palates
- They require minimal prep and are easy to grab-and-go
- People enjoy eating them both toasted and untoasted
- Fresh strawberries continue to be a favorite fruit, with consumer demand for the flavor
Both kids and adults continue to crave that iconic strawberry Pop-Tart experience. While new flavors have been introduced, strawberry often outsells other varieties year after year.
The OG strawberry Pop-Tart has achieved enduring popularity due to its great taste, versatility, and nostalgia factor. For many, strawberry remains the quintessential Pop-Tart flavor.
Popularity of Strawberry Pop-Tarts vs. Other Flavors
To analyze the sustained popularity of strawberry Pop-Tarts, here is a comparison to a few other top selling flavors:
| Flavor | Introduced | Estimated Units Sold Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry | 1964 | 50 million |
| Brown Sugar Cinnamon | 1964 | 45 million |
| Chocolate Fudge | 1967 | 35 million |
| S’mores | 2010 | 30 million |
As shown by estimated annual sales, strawberry remains the top Pop-Tart variety year after year. It consistently outsells other famous flavors including brown sugar cinnamon, which was also one of the original four.
The strawberry variety’s continued popularity is a testament to its status as the OG, quintessential Pop-Tart flavor. It represents comfort, familiarity, and nostalgia for consumers.
Pop-Tart Strawberry Pairings
While most people enjoy Pop-Tarts straight out of the toaster, there are lots of delicious ways to pair them to make breakfast, snacks, and desserts:
Breakfast Ideas
- Top with Greek yogurt or whipped cream cheese for more protein
- Spread with peanut or almond butter
- Serve alongside fresh fruit like bananas or strawberries
- Crumble on top of oatmeal
- Use in a breakfast parfait layered with yogurt and granola
Snack and Dessert Ideas
- Use as “bread” for strawberry shortcake
- Make “sliders” with fresh strawberries and whipped cream
- Dip in chocolate or strawberry sauce
- Layer with ice cream for an impromptu “cake”
- Crumble over vanilla ice cream for a crunchy topping
Pop-Tarts pair nicely with milk, coffee, fruit juices, and other breakfast beverages. Get creative with toppings and combinations!
Where to Buy Strawberry Pop-Tarts
Strawberry Pop-Tarts are widely available at most grocery stores and mass retailers that sell breakfast foods. They can be found in the following locations:
- Breakfast aisle or bakery section of grocery stores
- Freezer section with other frozen breakfast foods
- Shelves near other toaster pastries and breakfast bars
- Vending machines in schools, offices, and public locations
- Online retailers like Amazon that sell grocery and pantry items
Pop-Tarts are produced and distributed by the Kellogg’s company. Look for the bright pink boxes and packets to easily spot strawberry Pop-Tarts!
Grocery stores typically carry a wide variety of Pop-Tart flavors, but strawberry is regularly one of the best-stocked options. The popularity of the OG strawberry variety ensures it stays well in-supply for shoppers seeking that classic flavor.
Pop-Tart Strawberry Flavor Fun Facts
After over 50 years, strawberry Pop-Tarts have become an iconic brand with some fun facts behind them:
- Over 400 million strawberry Pop-Tarts are sold each year in the U.S.
- The strawberry filling is made with real fruit like strawberries, pears, and apples
- Food coloring helps achieve the bright pink color in the frosting
- Early commercials featured kids eagerly eating the treats and touted them as a “neat breakfast treat”
- In the 1990s, Pop-Tarts added sprinkles and “Crazy Good” to the strawberry flavor name
- Limited editions like “Passion Pink” offer tropical twists on classic strawberry
- Eating strawberry Pop-Tarts without toasting them first is controversial among fans
Pop-Tarts have become ingrained in American breakfast culture over the decades. And it all started with that very first strawberry variety created back in 1964.
Conclusion
Pop-Tarts are now available in endless flavors, from s’mores to pretzel to pumpkin pie. But the original, OG Pop-Tart taste that started it all back in 1964 was simple strawberry.
With its sweet fruit filling and iconic frosting, the strawberry Pop-Tart has achieved enduring popularity over the years. It remains the top-selling flavor and is considered the quintessential, nostalgic Pop-Tart experience for generations of fans.
So next time you enjoy a Pop-Tart, know that you’re biting into a piece of breakfast history. The OG Pop-Tart that paved the way for dozens of other flavors was, and still remains, classic strawberry.