“Caramel deLites used to be called Samoas.”
“They still are; I’ve seen some recently.”
“No, they changed it to be P.C.”
“I thought they were called Samosas?” (That happened.)
It’s that time of year, when little green troopers arrest the collective consciousness with their eerily effective cookie-pushing strategy, and we line up, almost involuntarily, for … mmmmm Girl Scout coooookieeees.
Every year, the “what’s your favorite” question morphs into a debate about the merits of year-round Keeblers, which then spirals into a quizzical, highly speculative chat about if, and why, the names changed. Are they Peanut Butter Patties or Tagalongs? Shortbread or Trefoils? Do-si-dos or Peanut Butter Sandwiches?
Well, they’re both. A visit to the Girl Scouts’ “meet the cookies” webpage reveals: “Girl Scout cookies are produced by two bakers. That’s why some of our cookies have two different names! But whether the box says Samoas or Caramel deLites, these two cookies are similarly delicious.”
The key here is similarly; the versions differ in more than just name. ABC Bakers, a licensed Girl Scout cookie baker since 1937, makes the descriptively named Caramel deLites, Shortbreads, Peanut Butter Patties and Peanut Butter Sandwiches, while the 35-year-old Little Brownie Bakers does Samoas, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos and Trefoils. Tagalongs contain milk, while their patty counterpart does not; and Samoas are reportedly drizzled with darker chocolate than deLites.
So, case closed, problem solved, you’re welcome. Next time you can shut down the nomenclature debate. Now please, pass those cookies.
