MtLaStella's Avatar
MtLaStella
333 Posts
16 years, 4 months ago


Feverish cookie fans have convinced Kellogg's to bring back Hydrox, a version of the Oreo. At least for a little while. Responding to online petitions and 1,300 phone calls, Kellogg's is releasing a limited Hydrox 100th anniversary in late August or September .

Get your hoarding plans in order now.

Hydrox cookies were one of the classic victims of conglomeration. As Paul Lukas described in this Fortune story, Sunshine Biscuits created Hydrox and the chocolate sandwich cookie in 1908 -- four years before copycat Oreo came out. Later Oreo so monopolized the market, Hydrox was widely and erroneously regarded as a bargain imitator. The name Hydrox carried such little credibility that when Keebler bought Sunshine Baker in 1996, it relaunched the 88-year-old brand as Droxies. Then Kellogg bought Keebler in 2001 and two years later quietly killed off Hydrox-known-as-Droxie.

The cookie always had a loyal following. Some said Hydrox had a crunchier texture or smoother taste. Others were Orthodox Jews or vegans, avoiding the lard in Oreos. They found common ground in their fidelity to Hydrox and their willingness to search it out in stores, which was always hard. When it was gone there was no news flash, so they just became a little harder to find, maybe a little dustier on the shelf.

Five years after the disappearance of Hydrox cookies, a January 2008 Wall Street Journal report awakened Hydrox fans to the awful truth: the Hydrox was long gone. More joined the movement to revive Hydrox with a petition and an online tribute. We listed Hydrox as one of 25 Things We'd Like to See Make a Comeback. Kellogg's also launched http://www.hydroxcookie.com/ and plans some contest in June for Hydrox fans. Winners get to taste the first new Hydrox (same recipe, but without the trans fats) in New York. They say it will be in regular retailers and grocery stores.

Kellogg holds out some hope that it may bring Hydrox back if it does well enough. I think the Hydrox will do well -- and not just because eBay entrepreneurs will be picking it up by the case. We're in an era where people cling to their connoisseur tastes. In a world where eaters revel in their taste for Himalayan salt, I think there's plenty of room for Hydrox cookies.
    jujubeeme's Avatar
    jujubeeme
    402 Posts
    16 years, 4 months ago
    I remember Droxies...they caused slightly less severe diarrhea than Oreos. They really shouldn't call it "Hydrox" though, it sounds like an extra-strength house cleaning solution.
      frostydude
      644 Posts
      16 years, 4 months ago
      sweet, my favorite cookies makes a return
        mr3urious's Avatar
        mr3urious
        3356 Posts
        16 years, 4 months ago
        I love how they're redesigning the old packaging.


        "I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I'm not." -Kurt Cobain
          Ravage's Avatar
          Ravage
          436 Posts
          16 years, 4 months ago
          hmmm...I never heard of them. I'll have to check them out.
            HarryReems's Avatar
            HarryReems
            2067 Posts
            16 years, 4 months ago
            Hydrox was good stuff.
            It just needs a name that doesn't sound like toilet cleaner.
              Captain_Howdy30's Avatar
              Captain_Howdy30
              2207 Posts
              16 years, 4 months ago
              Yeah, cookies shouldn't be associated with reputed disinfectants:


                mr3urious's Avatar
                mr3urious
                3356 Posts
                16 years, 3 months ago
                I'd love to try this cookie when it comes out again!


                "I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I'm not." -Kurt Cobain
                  Grundy's Avatar
                  Grundy
                  4 Posts
                  16 years, 3 months ago
                  Solomon Grundy want cookie.
                    mr3urious's Avatar
                    mr3urious
                    3356 Posts
                    16 years, 1 month ago
                    So, anyone get any yet? And how do they taste?


                    "I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I'm not." -Kurt Cobain
                      knuclear200x
                      5908 Posts
                      16 years, 1 month ago
                      i remember those dang ripoffs. theyre like those generic brands you buy at vons with a taste as different as it is noticed
                        An unhandled error has occurred. Reload Dismiss