When were Pop-Tarts invented? What to know about Ohio's ties to the famous breakfast food
Pop-Tarts have been around for decades, so some might have forgotten that Ohio was the testing ground for the famous breakfast pastry.
Jerry Seinfeld might've made you curious about the history of Pop-Tarts, as his new Netflix comedy, 'Unfrosted', delves into the lore of Kellogg's and their popular breakfast inventions, including your favorite Pop-Tart.
If you loved Pop-Tarts as a kid, chances are, you may have looked forward to enjoying your favorite flavor in the morning or picking them out at the grocery store with your parents. The kids at heart might have fun choosing flavors as adults!
This popular breakfast item has more than 100 flavors and has been around for six decades. That's right, 60 years!
Ever wondered when it was invented and how? Here’s what to know.
When were Pop-Tarts invented?
In 1963, the chairman of Kellogg's, William E. LaMothe (also known as Bill), had an idea. He wanted a toaster-ready breakfast item that could go anywhere, according to the Pop-Tartswebsite.
LaMothe, his friend Joe Thompson, and their kitchen crew created a hack on toast and jam, with the inside having the jam and the outside being complete crust. They named this invention the ‘fruit scone’ but later called it the ‘Pop-Tart’, inspired by the pop culture movement.
More:Co-inventor of Pop-Tarts, William Post, dies at 96
Who tried the first Pop-Tarts? Ohio's connection to first Pop-Tarts
The first four original flavors — strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple-currant — were first consumed in 1964 in a city Ohioans are familiar with — you guessed it, it was Cleveland.
Then, in 1965, Cleveland shared it with the rest of America. Pop-Tarts hit grocery stores nationwide.
Watch out for spoilers!How Jerry Seinfeld pulled off that 'fantastic' TV reunion for his Pop-Tart movie
Did the Pop-Tarts always have icing?
Actually, they didn’t when they were first invented.
In 1967, the inventors of the delectable breakfast item created an icing safe to put in a toaster. Then, the iced Pop-Tart was born.
By 1968, they created ‘Sugar Sparkled Frosting’, also known as sprinkles.
Do Pop-Tarts come in different forms?
Over the decades, Pop-Tarts haven’t just come in frosted and unfrosted. They also had a mini, snackable version called Pop-Tart Bites, a Pop-Tarts Crunch cereal, Pop-Tarts with a cartoon or logos printed on them, Crunchy Poppers, and collaborations with other known brands, such as Jolly Ranchers.
60 years later, Pop-Tarts are eaten at any time of day, not just breakfast.
Did Pop-Tarts ever have a slogan or a mascot?
They did have a mascot named Milton the Toaster in 1971, but he wasn’t around very long.
Later, Kellogg's created the tagline, “Crazy Good!” in 2004. You may have heard it in Pop-Tart commercials as a kid.
More:'You can't be gentle in comedy': Jerry Seinfeld on 'Unfrosted,' his Netflix Pop-Tart movie