The Black Sheep

The Black Sheep

If You Don’t Like Ritz Crackers, You’re A Filthy Communist

Recognize this "low-brow" cracker as the marvel of capitalism it truly is.

Joseph (Jake) Klein's avatar
Joseph (Jake) Klein
Jun 08, 2024
∙ Paid

When you last visited the supermarket, you likely walked past a box you’ve seen many times before. The Ritz Cracker has been a staple on American store shelves for 90 years, yet today the snack is often looked down upon; its mass-produced, corporate, and carb-heavy nature has fallen out of favor in an era preferring craft-made, local, and gluten-free foods. 

But the Ritz Cracker is worth taking a second look at. There’s more to this simple snack than you might think. 

If you look at the Ritz Cracker, you’ll see its round shape with a scalloped edge and seven tiny, evenly distributed holes. The golden-brown color achieved during baking is akin to a light toast. The taste is buttery with a hint of salt, and its thin flaky layers allow it to pleasantly crumble on your tongue with little effort. Despite its buttery flavor, the Ritz Cracker is actually vegan, featuring a simple ingredient list of flour, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, and leavening. The Ritz Cracker’s design and flavor are so cl…

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