Remember the Watermelon Oreo? The world of discontinued Oreo flavors, from the most-mourned cookies like Red Velvet and PB&J to the bizarre ones that just didn’t make the cut. Find out why these fan favourites are gone but not forgotten.
In the ever-evolving world of snack foods, even a titan like the Oreo is not immune to the ruthless whims of consumer taste and corporate strategy.
While the classic chocolate and crème sandwich cookie remains a global icon, its long history is littered with the ghosts of forgotten flavours, limited-time offerings that have vanished from store shelves, leaving behind a dedicated, and often heartbroken, fanbase.
For over a century, Nabisco, the maker of Oreos, has used a revolving door of inventive and sometimes bizarre flavours to generate buzz, spark social media conversations, and drive sales. But for every Birthday Cake or Mint Oreo that becomes a permanent fixture, there are dozens of others that have, for various reasons, crumbled away.
The Most-Mourned Cookies
The most common reason for a flavour’s disappearance is its status as a “limited edition.” These are often seasonal or tied to a movie or event and are designed to create a sense of urgency. The Watermelon Oreo, released in the summer of 2013, is a perfect example. Its vibrant pink and green filling and unexpected flavor profile were a viral sensation, but its run was intentionally brief.
Another a highly-requested discontinued flavor is the Red Velvet Oreo. It was so popular that it went from a limited release in 2015 to a permanent fixture for five years before being quietly phased out. However, due to intense fan pressure and petitions, it made a triumphant, albeit temporary, return in 2023.
Other flavors that have cult followings include:
- PB&J Oreos: Released in 2017, this flavour featured a peanut butter and jelly swirl on a Golden Oreo wafer.
- Limeade Oreos: A surprisingly refreshing and tangy flavor that was discontinued the same year it was released in 2014.
- Fruity Crisp Oreos: A cereal-inspired cookie with colorful, rice-crisp-filled crème.
Why Flavors Disappear
The reasons behind a flavour’s discontinuation are multifaceted. Sometimes, it’s as simple as the limited-edition window closing. In other cases, a flavour might not have met sales expectations, or its production was too complex or costly.
The infamous Big Stuf Oreo from the 1980s, an enormous, individually wrapped cookie, was a victim of its own excess, with its size and calorie count proving to be a deterrent for a health-conscious market.
Other discontinued products, like Oreo O’s cereal, have a more complicated history. The breakfast cereal was discontinued in the 2000s due to a split between the two companies that produced it.
It was brought back in 2017 due to popular demand, only to be discontinued again in 2024 to make way for a new product, Oreo Puffs.
For now, the Oreo continues to experiment, with new flavours constantly being released and others disappearing just as quickly. While the classic cookie remains the king, the ever-changing landscape of discontinued flavours provides a fascinating history of consumer trends and a permanent source of nostalgia for cookie lovers everywhere.
