Not all cookies are sweet, some of them are salty or neutral, neither sweet nor salty, having a snack like these out of the ordinary does not mean that they will not have a spectacular flavor either alone or accompanied with a garlic sauce or even with a very rich coffee.
The essential soda cracker is always present at all parties, normally surrounding a sauce. The social club cookie usually with some jam to accompany the sweet flavor with the salty of the cookie. Great Sorbeticos for every school or afternoon snack when you arrive from a tiring day.
The Soda Cracker. (Galletas de soda)
First, it is the turn of the sister of Maria’s cookie (galletas maria) as they have been called in Venezuela.
The soda cracker is a thin, regular-shaped cracker made of white flour, baking powder, and shortening, mostly lightly dusted with coarse salt. They have perforations on their surface and have a light, dry and crisp texture.
What are its uses?
Venezuelans usually eat it as a light appetizer, either with butter, devilish ham, cheese, pasta, sauces, etc. They can also be used in the kitchen when disfiguring in meats or soups or when added to salads.
Where are they from?
We could indicate that it is a cookie that has its ancient times and that its origin dates back to at least the 19th century when they were called Premium Saltines cookies because they are dusted with salt or Premium Soda Crackers as it emerged in 1876 in St. Joseph in Missouri.
How did it appear in Venezuela and why is it so popular?
At the time of 1960, when the forms of distribution were made by Brockway or Ford trucks, and after the fire of the same year that decreased the production of Maria cookies.
The Puig company began with the manufacture of soda cookies, being a resounding success for advertisements such as the slogan “for delicate stomachs, soda crackers”.
It is here that in the course of time and after the return of the Maria cookie, as both were manufactured by Puig companies.
They began to be classified as sister cookies, making a positive Marketing effect among Venezuelans that boosted the sales of both cookies. In addition, with time variations of the same made appearances in the country such as the saltines, very famous abroad.
How is it prepared?
Its main ingredient is a leavened bread that is allowed to rise for approximately 20 to 30 hours, then alkali is added to neutralize the excess acidity that the yeast provides.
Then it rests for about 4 hours, to then be relaxed in gluten, stretched in layers, and baked. When finished, the coarse salt dissolves on its surface.
The Social Club Cookie. (Galleta club social)
On this occasion, another cookie company that is unrelated to the aforementioned Puig, called Kraft Foods Group, Inc.,
A company that is not only in charge of making cookies but also makes other foods and beverages and that in Venezuela created the so-called Club Social.
How is it originated?
Kraft Foods spread throughout the world, following successful businesses and massive product sales in North America.
Kraft Foods Venezuela inaugurated in Barquisimeto, Lara state. So it was that in 1963, the Social Club was born as a product 100% made in Venezuela and by Venezuelan hands.
What does the Social Club Cookie contain and why was it a risky bet?
It is very clear that the Club Social cookie was a risky bet by Krafts in the Venezuelan market.
The cookie consists of a mixture of the salty and the sweet at the same time, causing it to be one of the cookies most coveted and preferred by the Venezuelan palate, particularly young people.
With this mixture, the success was such that it immediately began to be distributed in several Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
Its ingredients consist of fortified wheat flour, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, ammonium, and sodium bicarbonate, among others.
How can its tasting be used?
The Club Social cookie has the peculiarity that because it is salty and sweet, it can practically be combined with what the Venezuelan palate likes, be it coffee, milk, sauces, butter, condensed milk, etc.
Although it is normally eaten alone to feel that rare, tasty, and unique flavor that the cookie contains at its best.
What types of advertising have led to Club Social cookies?
Due to their remarkable popularity among young people, they have used this advantage as a plus point when promoting themselves,
Placing closeness with them, and using them as main characters in their advertisements and slogans.
Such is the case of “your first time” held in 2010, which consisted of telling your first kiss, party, spite, or other typical actions among teenagers, Competing for prizes and gifts, which further promoted the brand among the Venezuelan population.
The Sorbeticos
Perhaps the least known cookies on the list but undoubtedly very rich and loved among Venezuelans.
They consist of Wafer cookies filled with Vanilla flavor created and distributed by Kraft Food Venezuela.
What does it contains
They are made based on sugar, enriched wheat flour, vegetable shortening, soy lecithin, vegetable oil, baking soda, whey or skim milk, artificial flavor, salt, and wheat.
How has it stayed in Venezuela and its reception to the public been?
These cookies, produced in the interior of the country, were immediately very well received by Venezuelan palates, however, they did not reach the popularity quota, being eclipsed by their older sister the Social Club. This caused that for a time in Venezuela its production was limited enough until it was discontinued.
Such was the discontent of the population and the affection that was imparted to the product, that in 2014 social networks were agitated by the “return of the sorbeticos”, starting again its production and distribution to Venezuelans in Barquisimeto.
We have already completed these curious and historical data of several of the most recognized and important cookies in Venezuela, I hope you have enjoyed it and that you continue to taste them with this information in mind.