The Oreo ritual refers to a ceremonial process of twisting open, licking, and dunking Oreo cookies before eating them. This quirky eating habit has become ingrained in American snack culture and is practiced by Oreo lovers across the country.
Where did the Oreo ritual come from?
The origins of the Oreo ritual are unclear, but it seems to have emerged sometime after Oreos were first introduced in 1912. Some sources attribute the ritual to the cookies’ unique twist-apart, “lickable” creme filling, which essentially begs to be licked. The satisfying sensation of twisting open an Oreo, lapping up the sweet creme, and then dunking it in milk before consumption is central to the appeal of Oreos for many people.
Over the decades, the distinctive Oreo twist, lick, and dunk process has been informally passed down between friends, families, and co-workers, cementing itself as a ubiquitous American food ritual. Nabisco, Oreo’s parent company, has acknowledged and perpetuated the ritual in its advertising and packaging.
When did the Oreo ritual become popular?
Though Oreos were commercially successful from the beginning, sales and popularity skyrocketed after Nabisco launched a marketing campaign focused on Oreo’s “twist, lick, dunk” potential in the 1950s and 60s. Catchy ads portrayed Oreos as the perfect snack for dunking in milk. This campaign is largely credited with sparking the nationwide Oreo ritual craze.
By the 1970s, the Oreo twist, lick, and dunk process had become ingrained in mainstream American snacking culture, especially among children. Nabisco further catered to the ritual by designing Oreo packets with a convenient tab opening to hold the cookies while licking. Oreo had secured its iconic status as the perfect “twist, lick, dunk” snack.
Why do people love the Oreo ritual?
There are several psychological and physiological factors that explain why the Oreo ritual is so satisfying and beloved:
- It engages multiple senses – The twist-apart motion produces a unique tactile sensation, the lick provides novel taste/texture, and the dunk adds new dimensions of flavor.
- It prolongs enjoyment – Licking and dunking Oreos extends the snacking experience beyond just chewing and swallowing them.
- It’s playful and reminiscent of childhood – Twisting, licking, and dunking Oreos is fun, playful, and stirs up nostalgic childhood memories for many people.
- The ritual rewards snackers – Research shows we feel greater satisfaction when we ritualize consumption experiences. The Oreo ritual inherently rewards us.
Additionally, Oreos have the perfect physical structure to facilitate twisting, licking, and dunking. Their round shape, crimped edges, and creamy center create an ideal twist-apart experience and dunking surface.
How to properly execute the Oreo ritual
Though people have their own quirks, there is a general consensus on the proper technique for the traditional Oreo ritual:
- Twist – Gently twist open the Oreo, separating the two chocolate wafers and exposing the creamy center.
- Lick – Use your tongue to lick off the top layer of creme. Lick in moderation to save some creme for dunking.
- Dunk – Submerge the Oreo halfway into a glass of milk and hold it for 2-5 seconds.
- Enjoy – Eat the entire soaked Oreo and savor the flavors.
Aficionados generally agree that whole milk or 2% milk produce superior dunking results. The cookies should be dunked for no longer than 5 seconds to prevent them from crumbling into the milk. Purists insist that using fingers provides ideal twisting control.
Oreo ritual innovations
While most perform the classic “twist, lick, dunk” sequence, some innovators have created their own Oreo rituals:
- The scooper – Uses an index finger to scoop out most of the creme filling before twisting the cookie apart.
- The dipper – Dips the whole Oreo into milk without twisting it first.
- The double dunker – Dunks the Oreo in milk, eats it, then dunks the leftover cookie half again.
- The crumbler – Eats the Oreo and lets crumbs detach into the milk before drinking the milk.
Still, the traditional ritual remains the gold standard for Oreo connoisseurs.
The scientific benefits of the Oreo ritual
The Oreo ritual may have actual scientific benefits beyond just pleasure and fun.
Fine motor skill development
Twisting Oreos apart involves fine motor coordination. The ritual can help develop fine motor skills, especially in young children. The unique twist-motion and pressure required stimulates development of the muscles and neural connections in children’s hands and fingers.
Oral sensory stimulation
Licking and eating the Oreo provides significant oral sensory stimulation. This can foster oral development and sensitivity in children. The complex flavors and textures of the cookie and creme engage various sensors on the lips, tongue, mouth roof and gums.
Ritual calming effects
Rituals can induce feelings of comfort and calm. The familiar process of the Oreo ritual provides a reliable soothing activity. Research has linked the neurochemical dopamine to ritual behaviors. Dopamine helps regulate emotional responses and produces pleasurable feelings.
Nutritional information
Here is the nutritional information for a typical Oreo cookie (based on one serving size of 3 cookies):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Sodium | 105mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Sugars | 14g |
| Protein | 1g |
Oreos provide little nutritional value beyond carbohydrates and fat. The creme filling is almost entirely sugar. However, the ritual experience of twisting, licking, and dunking Oreos has intrinsic psychological, sensory, and developmental benefits.
Oreo ritual celebrations
The Oreo ritual is entrenched in American culture, as evidenced by recurring celebrations and events centered on Oreo eating techniques:
Oreo Day
March 6th has been dubbed “Oreo Day” by Nabisco and fans of the ritual. It’s an annual celebration of all things Oreo, especially the twist-lick-dunk process.
Double Stuf Day
February 9th marks “Double Stuf Day” honoring Oreo’s Double Stuf variety. The day is celebrated with a special Oreo ritual that involves twisting open two Double Stuf Oreos and making an Oreo mega-sandwich.
Cookie Stacking Competition
Major League Eating hosts an annual Oreo stacking competition in Times Square, New York. Contestants must use the Oreo twist technique to stack as many Oreos on top of each other as possible within 60 seconds.
Conclusion
The Oreo ritual reveals much about American snacking culture. It enables a multi-sensory snacking experience and prolongs gratification. The ritual may also foster developmental benefits in children. While Oreos themselves provide little nutrition, the iconic twist, lick, and dunk tradition provides joy and valuable skills.