# 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:** 6
**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:** [March 23, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/101 "2018-03-23T17:12:44Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > Salt definitely on the outside! I would say outside as well, but I honestly had no freaking clue until the last year or two that only one side of a saltine was salted. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/102 "2018-03-26T17:51:30Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I like them with butter, but you have to stack them three high when you eat them: cracker, butter, cracker, butter, cracker (hey, them’s the rules; I don’t make 'em up). I also like them with both butter and peanut butter at the same time. I took a closer look at what my afore-mentioned Pop was doing with his PB on saltines and it turns out all these years he’s been doing a triple-decker too!! I knew he had exactly 12 crax each time, but I assumed it was six pairs. World rocked. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/103 "2018-03-26T23:54:28Z")
Very timely thread. Here is the problem: I bought premium saltines a couple weeks ago and they said “sea salt” on the box. i thought great. They are not the saltines I have had all my life. They are too hard. A package will have none broken, and they won’t crumble. They’re not suitable for any saltine things I do: Chowder, Cottage Cheese, soup. I went back and there was only the sea salt type. So have they changed the recipe of this iconic cracker for real? Has anyone else noticed? I am going to be switching brands after a whole lifetime. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/104 "2018-03-27T00:14:42Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I took a closer look at what my afore-mentioned Pop was doing with his PB on saltines and it turns out all these years he’s been doing a triple-decker too!! I knew he had exactly 12 crax each time, but I assumed it was six pairs. World rocked. This blew my mind. I need it explained in detail, preferably with 4-dimensional diagrams. > [@drad\_dog](#): > > Very timely thread. Here is the problem: I bought premium saltines a couple weeks ago and they said “sea salt” on the box. i thought great. > > They are not the saltines I have had all my life. They are too hard. A package will have none broken, and they won’t crumble. They’re not suitable for any saltine things I do: Chowder, Cottage Cheese, soup. > > I went back and there was only the sea salt type. So have they changed the recipe of this iconic cracker for real? Has anyone else noticed? I am going to be switching brands after a whole lifetime. The originals are available, maybe not at that store. Are you looking at Sunshine or Zesta? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/105 "2018-03-27T00:17:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This blew my mind. I need it explained in detail, preferably with 4-dimensional diagrams. > The originals are available, maybe not at that store. Are you looking at Sunshine or Zesta? Thank you for that news! After a whole lifetime of avoiding them it’s going to take some training to buy sunshine. The S&S I went to today only had seasalt premium and house brand, so I got worried. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/106 "2018-03-27T00:39:10Z")
Because you fuckers keep bumping this thread, I had no choice but to go to Wal Mart at 2 AM the other night and buy a box of Saltines, a jar of peanut butter and a gallon of milk. Heavenly midnight snack. ---
**Author:** ![slightly\_askew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@slightly\_askew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slightly_askew)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/107 "2018-03-27T00:45:54Z")
Saltines make the best cracker crumb coating for pan fried chicken and fish. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/108 "2018-03-27T00:48:24Z")
I like saltines with the little tinned smoked mussels. Learned quickly a few things about said snack: - don’t open the tin too quickly; there’s nothing sexy about smoked mussel oil cologne. -as soon as you’re done, put the tin and remaining oil in a Ziploc bag before throwing it away. -Putting the tin in the kitchen garbage without wrapping will ensure that your house smells like…you guessed it, smoked mussels when you get home from work the next day -cats will murder you for a even a lick of smoked mussel tin. If you leave it on the counter unattended, they will arrange to lick it off the floor -smoked mussel oil is hard to get off the floor -smoked mussel oil is hard to get off the cat ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/109 "2018-03-27T13:21:53Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > -cats will murder you for a even a lick of smoked mussel tin. If you leave it on the counter unattended, they will arrange to lick it off the floor > -smoked mussel oil is hard to get off the floor > -smoked mussel oil is hard to get off the cat You’re doing it wrong. 1. Pour a small amount of dry cat food into their bowl. 2. Open can (tuna/crab/any kind of seafood, whether in oil or water) 3. Trickle some of the liquid over the dry cat food (while fending off the cat that will be trying to climb your leg or leap onto the counter) 4. Put cat bowl onto floor 5. Back away Now you can finish opening your fishy smelling food and enjoy your snack in peace. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/110 "2018-03-27T15:08:49Z")
Reminds me of this great [Calvin & Hobbes](http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wiki/File:Tuna). ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/111 "2018-03-27T15:40:37Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Very timely thread. Here is the problem: I bought premium saltines a couple weeks ago and they said “sea salt” on the box. i thought great. > > They are not the saltines I have had all my life. They are too hard. A package will have none broken, and they won’t crumble. They’re not suitable for any saltine things I do: Chowder, Cottage Cheese, soup. > > I went back and there was only the sea salt type. So have they changed the recipe of this iconic cracker for real? Has anyone else noticed? I am going to be switching brands after a whole lifetime. Thank you! I thought I was imagining it. They are harder now and don’t taste the same. I buy Zestas - I’ve always liked them better anyway, but I bought Premiums because they offer a box with smaller inside packages so they don’t go stale if you don’t eat a whole row. I loved that idea, but the taste and texture are different. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/112 "2018-03-27T18:20:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Reminds me of this great [Calvin & Hobbes](http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wiki/File:Tuna). “No file by this name exists.” ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/113 "2018-03-27T20:34:03Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > My father taught me to eat them with vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce. If the ice cream is soft, use the saltines as a scoop. Otherwise, spoon it onto the cracker. We skipped the chocolate sauce in my house. I remember liking this - I may have to buy some vanilla ice cream just to try it again. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/114 "2018-03-27T21:28:42Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Reminds me of this great [Calvin & Hobbes](http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wiki/File:Tuna). > [@DrDeth](#): > > “No file by this name exists.” Try [this](http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1988/05/27?comments=visible). ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2018, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/115 "2018-03-27T23:55:11Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This blew my mind. I need it explained in detail, preferably with 4-dimensional diagrams. > The originals are available, maybe not at that store. Are you looking at Sunshine or Zesta? I’m answering again to say that the boxes of Premium with sea salt and a totally different recipe and texture, are completely indistinguishable from regular boxes, except for “sea salt” in smaller print. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/116 "2018-03-28T01:00:55Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I’m answering again to say that the boxes of Premium with sea salt and a totally different recipe and texture, are completely indistinguishable from regular boxes, except for “sea salt” in smaller print. You are talking about [Nabisco Premium Saltines](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nabisco-Premium-Saltine-Crackers-Original-16-Oz/10292621). There are also [Sunshine Saltines](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunshine-Krispy-Original-Saltine-Crackers-16-oz-Box/11045755) and [Zesta Saltines (by Keebler).](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Keebler-Zesta-Original-Saltine-Crackers-16-oz-Box/11045775) I was asking if you have tried the last two brands. The post that blew my mind was not yours, but this one > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by \*\*gigi \*\* > I took a closer look at what my afore-mentioned Pop was doing with his PB on saltines and it turns out all these years he’s been doing a triple-decker too!! I knew he had exactly 12 crax each time, but I assumed it was six pairs. World rocked. I wanted the triple-decker/12 cracker saltine sandwich construction explained to me. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/117 "2018-03-28T04:01:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > You are talking about [Nabisco Premium Saltines](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nabisco-Premium-Saltine-Crackers-Original-16-Oz/10292621). > > There are also [Sunshine Saltines](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunshine-Krispy-Original-Saltine-Crackers-16-oz-Box/11045755) and [Zesta Saltines (by Keebler).](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Keebler-Zesta-Original-Saltine-Crackers-16-oz-Box/11045775) > > I was asking if you have tried the last two brands. > > The post that blew my mind was not yours, but this one I wanted the triple-decker/12 cracker saltine sandwich construction explained to me. I gotcha. I have always been averse to anything except premium, so I started a thread about it actually. But it seems very false to change a cracker that way and keep the box almost the same. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/118 "2018-03-28T18:35:08Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The post that blew my mind was not yours, but this one I wanted the triple-decker/12 cracker saltine sandwich construction explained to me. I don’t get it either! I need the symmetry of two saltines, each with the salt facing out, and one layer of PB. I was afraid to look too closely, but I believe this was Top: Saltine, salt facing down Layer PB Middle saltine, salt facing down Layer PB Bottom saltine, salt facing up It seems too unwieldy, especially once the crax start cracking. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/119 "2018-03-28T20:48:24Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I don’t get it either! I need the symmetry of two saltines, each with the salt facing out, and one layer of PB. I was afraid to look too closely, but I believe this was > > Top: Saltine, salt facing down > Layer PB > Middle saltine, salt facing down > Layer PB > Bottom saltine, salt facing up > > It seems too unwieldy, especially once the crax start cracking. That would produce a crumb shower for sure. Maybe the key is to use so much peanut butter that no crumbs have a chance to escape. Where is Stephen Hawking when we need him?? Oh yeah, that’s right. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712/120 "2018-03-28T22:24:33Z")
I am going to have to sneakily observe. I have a funny feeling that he may put the whole thing in his mouth in one bite. Seems physically impossible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humble-saltine-cracker/809712.md?page=7)