Frederic Melton
Cheese and crackers is a popular snack food that has been consumed for centuries, with records showing that sailors, whalers, and explorers ate hardtack biscuits with cheese before refrigeration existed. The pairing has evolved over time, with the invention of thinner, lighter crackers in the 1850s, and the introduction of commercial cheese and crackers products in the mid-1980s, such as Handi-Snacks and Oscar Mayer's Lunchables. One notable cheese cracker, the Cheez-It, was invented in 1921 by the Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio, and is still enjoyed today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Origin | 1921 |
| Place of Origin | Dayton, Ohio |
| Inventors | Green & Green Company |
| Current Manufacturer | Kelloggs |
| Original Manufacturer | Green & Green Company |
| Original Name | Baked Rarebit |
| Original Recipe | Wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices |
| Current Recipe | Over 50 varieties |
| Current Size | 26-by-24-millimeter rectangles |
| Original Size | 26-by-24-millimeter rectangles |
| Original Packaging | Green and white |
| Current Packaging | Red, yellow, and orange |
| Type of Food | Snack food |
| Related Products | Handi-Snacks, Lunchables, Lunchly |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese and crackers as a common food pairing
Cheese and crackers is a common food pairing that has been consumed for centuries. Before refrigeration existed, it was a popular food combination for sailors, explorers, and soldiers due to the long shelf life of both items. Hardtack crackers, in particular, were often used in this pairing as they were known for their durability and ability to stay fresh when sealed.
The popularity of cheese and crackers as a snack combination increased in the 19th century when bakers began producing thinner crackers with a lighter texture than hardtack. By the beginning of the 20th century, cheese and crackers were being prepared in homes, sometimes with additional ingredients like paprika and mustard. It was commonly served at parties, and during the Great Depression in the United States, it was even consumed as a dessert by some, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House.
In the 1950s, parenting experts, home economists, and cookbook authors recommended cheese and crackers as a snack for children, further contributing to its popularity. The mid-1980s saw a boost in consumption with the introduction of Lunchables, a commercial product that included cheese, crackers, and lunch meat. Similar products like Handi-Snacks and Lunchly have also contributed to the widespread availability and recognition of cheese and crackers as a convenient snack option.
Today, cheese and crackers remain a popular food pairing, often served at parties and gatherings, particularly in the United States. It is valued for its convenience, versatility, and nutritional value, offering a good source of protein from the cheese. The pairing can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions, with various types of cheeses and crackers available, and it is often paired with wines. Whether served as a simple snack or an elegant hors d'oeuvre, cheese and crackers have become a classic combination enjoyed by people of all ages.
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The history of Cheez-It crackers
In the early 1920s, Green & Green introduced a new product, a one-by-one-inch cheese cracker, which would go on to revolutionize snacking. On March 31, 1921, Green & Green launched the "`baked rarebit`" cracker, which was essentially a version of the traditional Welsh rarebit dish of melted cheese over toast. The new snack was branded with the catchy name Cheez-It and was trademarked on May 23, 1921.
Cheez-Its gained popularity during the post-war recession, the Roaring Twenties, and the onset of the Great Depression. The crackers' impressive 11-month shelf life made them a reliable food option during these challenging economic times. In 1932, Green & Green sold the business to the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company (later renamed Sunshine Biscuit Company in 1947). This new ownership expanded the distribution and popularity of Cheez-It crackers across the United States.
In 1996, Sunshine Biscuits was acquired by Keebler, and in 2001, Kellogg's acquired Keebler, bringing Cheez-It crackers into their portfolio. Under Kellogg's ownership, Cheez-It continued to innovate, introducing new products like Cheez-It Grooves and expanding globally, launching in Canada in 2020 and the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2024. The brand has maintained its focus on real cheese, with studies from the Cheez-It Institute exploring cheese maturity and flavor profiles.
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Wolf Crackers and Dr William Wolf
In 1841, Dr. William W. Wolf, a homeopathic practitioner, moved to Dayton, Ohio, and began producing the Wolf Cracker. This cracker was a hard-butter snack that he created for medicinal purposes, believing, as many cracker makers at the time did, that it would promote temperance and aid digestion. Soon, the crackers became popular beyond his patients, and were enjoyed by the general population.
Among the notable fans of Wolf Crackers were Dayton natives J.W. and Weston Green. In 1897, when Dr. Wolf passed away, J.W. Green purchased the Wolf Bakery Company, bringing his son, Weston Green, into the venture. They renamed the business Green & Green Company and the cracker the Dayton Cracker, but they kept Wolf’s original recipe. During World War I, their company produced a different product called Dayton’s Fighting Bread to help sustain soldiers fighting overseas. After the war, Green & Green launched a new product line of grahams, crackers, and gingersnaps that were shipped across the region.
The Green & Green crackers were advertised as shelf-stable, filling, and affordable. The product appealed to Americans struggling during the economic downturn that occurred right after World War I and remained popular throughout the postwar recession, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. During this time, cheese and crackers were often consumed as a dessert, including by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House.
In 1932, Green & Green sold the business to the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company, which became the Sunshine Biscuit Company in 1947. The Sunshine Biscuit Company was a rival of Nabisco. In 1996, Keebler acquired Sunshine, and in 2001, Kellogg acquired Keebler.
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Green & Green Company
The Green & Green Company, cracker manufacturers, played a significant role in the history of cheese and crackers, particularly with the creation of the Cheez-It cracker. The company's history is deeply intertwined with the story of crackers in the United States, dating back to the 19th century.
In the 1800s, crackers held a unique place in the dietary landscape of the United States. They were linked to Christian physiologists and sectarian medical practitioners, who advocated for a diet that was less stimulating. One such proponent was Sylvester Graham, the creator of Graham Crackers, who recommended coarse-grain products and believed that modern bread provided too much nourishment per food unit.
Dr. William W. Wolf, who moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1841, shared similar concerns. He created the Wolf Cracker, a hard-butter cracker made for medicinal purposes, which became known as the Dayton Cracker. This cracker was so popular that it spurred the growth of the cracker-baking industry in the city.
Following World War I, the Green & Green Company, based in Dayton, pivoted from producing wartime Hard Bread (also known as "Fighting Bread") to more palatable fare. They launched their Edgemont line and, in 1921, introduced the "baked rarebit" or Cheez-It. This new cracker was a response to consumer demand for a delicate, flakier treat compared to the harder Dayton Cracker. The Cheez-It, with its impressive 11-month shelf life, offered the familiar taste of Welsh rarebit, a cheese sauce or spread made with melted cheddar cheese, in a convenient, long-lasting form.
The Green & Green Company's Cheez-It cracker proved to be a timely innovation. The 1920s saw a dip in the global economy, and Americans appreciated a novel yet affordable snack. The company's contribution to the world of cheese and crackers continued to evolve, with Cheez-It eventually being acquired by Keebler and then Kellogg.
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Cheese and crackers as a snack for children
Cheese and crackers have been recommended as a snack for children since the 1950s. The snack's high protein content and ease of preparation make it a popular choice for parents. Commercial products such as Lunchables and Handi-Snacks have contributed to the rise in popularity of cheese and crackers as a children's snack.
Cheese and crackers are a convenient and nutritious option for children's lunches or after-school snacks. The protein and fibre content of the snack can help keep children full and satisfied until their next meal. Additionally, the process of making homemade cheese crackers can be a fun and educational activity for children to participate in.
The history of cheese and crackers as a snack can be traced back to the 1850s, when bakers began producing thinner crackers with a lighter texture. However, it was in the 1950s that the snack gained recognition as a suitable option for children. During this time, parenting experts, home economists, and cookbook authors promoted cheese and crackers as a wholesome and nourishing snack for young ones.
The popularity of cheese and crackers as a children's snack was further bolstered in the mid-1980s with the introduction of Lunchables. This commercial product, which included cheese, crackers, and lunch meat, appealed to parents seeking convenient and balanced snack options for their children.
Today, cheese and crackers remain a staple in many children's diets. Homemade cheese crackers, in particular, offer a healthier alternative to processed snacks. By making their own cheese crackers, parents can control the ingredients used and ensure their children are consuming a nutritious and well-balanced snack.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear who invented the combination of cheese and crackers, but the pairing has been consumed by various sailors and explorers before refrigeration existed. Cheese and crackers became increasingly popular in the 1850s when bakers began producing thinner crackers with a lighter texture.
Some popular commercial cheese and crackers products include Handi-Snacks, Lunchables, and Lunchly.
Cheez-Its are a brand of cheese crackers manufactured by Kelloggs through its Sunshine Biscuits division. They were launched in 1921 by the Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio.
Cheez-Its are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices.
