# The humble saltine cracker **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 28, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712 "2018-02-28T00:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/41 "2018-02-28T17:48:46Z")
Store-brand ones are vastly inferior. I only buy Nabisco. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/42 "2018-02-28T17:54:35Z")
Back in the day before all the fancy edibles, Saltines or Ritz crackers were great for making Firecrackers (cannabis and peanut-butter on a cracker wrapped in foil and baked). ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/43 "2018-02-28T18:11:50Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Store-brand ones are vastly inferior. I only buy Nabisco. Yeah, tell me about it. I bought some Kroger brand saltines because they were on sale for a dollar a box. They tasted okay, but fell apart when I picked them up. There was no way you could spread anything on them. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/44 "2018-02-28T18:12:11Z")
One of my favorite childhood snacks (and one that I still indulge in, on occasion) was little sandwiches made by spreading peanut butter on a Premium saltine, and then putting another saltine on top. I’ll also crumble them up into soup (particularly chicken noodle soup). We occasionally had other brands of saltines, like Zesta, but I prefer the taste of Premium. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/45 "2018-02-28T18:35:58Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > I’m very curious to try such a thing, though I have my suspicions that I’ll be disappointed. 40 years and no saltines…I’ve no history with them, none of my life invested in them, no Proustian madeleine connection, so I imagine I’ll just think “Oh, it’s a plain, salty cracker.” > > Is there any nuance I should be seeking out?! The traditional initiation for a saltine virgin is to have the person attempt to eat 6 crackers in less than a minute, without the aid of any water or other drink ([cite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltine_cracker_challenge)). Then, a month or two later (after you’ve decided you want another saltine) my recommendation would be to mix peanut butter and honey together and using it as a spread. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/46 "2018-02-28T18:42:16Z")
Anyone ever do the “Saltine challenge”? Eat six saltines in one minute. No water allowed. Harder than it sounds. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/47 "2018-02-28T18:54:43Z")
There used to be a nacho cheese that came in a little plastic tube, with a cap in the middle. That and a sleeve of whole wheat saltines was often my lunch. Of course, the squeeze cheese is no longer available :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/48 "2018-02-28T19:15:04Z")
I love them and I can eat them just plain. I also put peanut butter on them and I don’t mind them crumbled up on top of a bowl of soup. Sometimes, no other cracker will do. ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/49 "2018-02-28T19:30:27Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > The traditional initiation for a saltine virgin is to have the person attempt to eat 6 crackers in less than a minute, without the aid of any water or other drink ([cite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltine_cracker_challenge)). Did that with Cream Crackers at school (charity thing), so I reckon I could give that a pretty good go… > [@](#): > > Then, a month or two later (after you’ve decided you want another saltine) my recommendation would be to mix peanut butter and honey together and using it as a spread. Sounds intriguing. I’ve actually come to this after years of seeing Americans on telly (especially Columbo) crumbling _something_ into their chilli, and wondering what the hell it might be. So, having investigated and discovered it’s probably Saltines, I tried it with Ritz as they’re easy to get, but I’d like to try the authentic experience! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/50 "2018-02-28T19:36:35Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > …Sounds intriguing. I’ve actually come to this after years of seeing Americans on telly (especially Columbo) crumbling _something_ into their chilli, and wondering what the hell it might be. So, having investigated and discovered it’s probably Saltines, I tried it with Ritz as they’re easy to get, but I’d like to try the authentic experience! Ritz crackers and saltines are as different as chalk and cheese. :dubious: Definitely seek out the authentic experience. ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/51 "2018-02-28T19:56:41Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Ritz crackers and saltines are as different as chalk and cheese. :dubious: Definitely seek out the authentic experience. 1lb box of saltines on Amazon: £8.99 ($12.39). Now, curious as I am about saltines, are they really $12.39 good?! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/52 "2018-02-28T20:02:47Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > For a long time, I thought “saltine” was a brand name. I only realized it was a common name a few years ago. For the second time today I’m having a \ I did not know that! \ moment. Despite growing up with one of [these](https://www.google.com/search?q=saltine+tin+container&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi35aDvsMnZAhUEvlMKHcF5BvEQ_AUICygC&biw=859&bih=388#imgrc=LhcoMxPnjj2a_M:) in the house, where the brand name is clearly displayed :smack: I think “galettas” is the first Spanish word I learned. > [@kenobi 65](#): > > ``` > One of my favorite childhood snacks (and one that I still indulge in, on occasion) was little sandwiches made by spreading peanut butter on a Premium saltine, and then putting another saltine on top. I'll also crumble them up into soup (particularly chicken noodle soup). > > ``` > > We occasionally had other brands of saltines, like Zesta, but I prefer the taste of Premium. All of this. Peanut butter cracker sandwiches were my lunch during my entire elementary school. And chicken noodle soup demands saltines. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/53 "2018-02-28T20:21:10Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > 1lb box of saltines on Amazon: £8.99 ($12.39). Now, curious as I am about saltines, are they really $12.39 good?! Um…no. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/54 "2018-02-28T20:21:53Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > For the second time today I’m having a \ I did not know that! \ moment. Despite growing up with one of [these](https://www.google.com/search?q=saltine+tin+container&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi35aDvsMnZAhUEvlMKHcF5BvEQ_AUICygC&biw=859&bih=388#imgrc=LhcoMxPnjj2a_M:) in the house, where the brand name is clearly displayed :smack: I think “galettas” is the first Spanish word I learned. We had that Premium cracker tin, too! I’d be willing to bet that my mother still has it somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/55 "2018-02-28T20:28:28Z")
My mother used to put peanut butter/saltine sandwiches in my lunch (this was before store-bought were around-- she made them) along with little notes. One of her faves was, “Help I’m being held prisoner in a school lunch factory”). ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/56 "2018-02-28T21:10:43Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > We had that Premium cracker tin, too! I’d be willing to bet that my mother still has it somewhere. My mom still has one and still uses it. She tears the end off a box of Premium (accept no substitutes) saltines and puts the box in the tin. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/57 "2018-02-28T22:13:10Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > Did that with Cream Crackers at school (charity thing), so I reckon I could give that a pretty good go… > > Sounds intriguing. I’ve actually come to this after years of seeing Americans on telly (especially Columbo) crumbling _something_ into their chilli, and wondering what the hell it might be. So, having investigated and discovered it’s probably Saltines, I tried it with Ritz as they’re easy to get, but I’d like to try the authentic experience! Your cream crackers sound similar, and I found this type on the Tesco website, and they look pretty similar to saltine/soda crackers. [https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/252928732](https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/252928732) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/58 "2018-02-28T22:44:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > My mother used to put peanut butter/saltine sandwiches in my lunch (this was before store-bought were around-- she made them) along with little notes. One of her faves was, “Help I’m being held prisoner in a school lunch factory”). My mother solved that problem; we had to make our own. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/59 "2018-02-28T23:01:57Z")
Saltines are one of the things I miss most after two years of low carbing. Soup and chili just aren’t the same. I used to love eating them along with plain old hunks of onion. Or just by the hand full. They always remind me of my older brother, who, when I was a child, loved to sneak up when I had a hand full of crackers and crush them between my hands. May he rest in peace. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/60 "2018-02-28T23:08:48Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > 1lb box of saltines on Amazon: £8.99 ($12.39). Now, curious as I am about saltines, are they really $12.39 good?! As much as a box of Weetabix [might be $12.39 good.](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weetabix-Whole-Grain-Biscuit-24-Biscuits-14-oz-pack-of-1/785531559?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=6683&adid=22222222227123814090&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=235386501102&wl4=pla-387487565450&wl5=9021736&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=115057107&wl11=online&wl12=785531559&wl13=&veh=sem) (Or $14.99 good in that case.) For whatever reason, that’s the first comparison that came to mind, and looking online, the prices seemed to work out. (Comparable in the sense that they are just some run-of-the-mill product in their respective countries with no celebrated culinary status.) Saltines are just a normal, cheap, everyday cracker. A 1 lb box is usually anywhere from $3-$5. It’s not a “oh my god, you just _have_ to try this!” type of food. They’re basically along the lines of your water biscuits/crackers, but a bit flakier, more delicate and square shaped. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712.md?page=4)