The author’s favorite snack. Photo courtesy of Eli Lineberry.

Lately, I’ve found myself returning to the pantry and looking for one specific thing: Goldfish. I’ve always enjoyed “The Snack That Smiles Back,” but only now am I realizing just how addicting they really are. Each handful is a salty, cheesy, and savory bite, always making me want to come back for more. Combine that with the childhood nostalgia, and almost nothing can beat it.

Goldfish crackers are made by Pepperidge Farm, which is a division of the Campbell Soup Company. This snack is baked flour, cheese, and other ingredients and comes in many different versions, such as pretzel, extra cheddar, parmesan, and even pizza flavored. Goldfish are available pretty much anywhere except for certain countries in East Asia and Southern Asia. Due to this, many kids enjoy Goldfish as a snack or with their lunch because of the variety.

The main reason I enjoy Goldfish is because of the cheddary taste mixed with the salty, baked texture of the cracker. The aftertaste sticks in your mouth and can only be satiated by more of the same. Not only does it taste good, but it’s sharable as well. In fact, one of the slogans is “Go For the Handful,” and nothing says “I can’t wait to be constantly pestered by my friends” like a full bag of delectables.

Others may say that Goldfish is a snack for children, and isn’t for young adults and parents. However, what about the show Bluey that has been popular even among teens? What about the numerous adults who play video games such as Mario and Pokemon? This counter-arguement is overshadowed by other activities almost to the point of hypocrisy.

In fact, one reason I love Goldfish is the nostalgia. Almost every day as a young child I would eat some, and I tried many flavors from third to seventh grades. Recently, they made a return to my lunchbox and the memories of old friends and terrible school lunches came back in waves. I prefer the original kind of Goldfish, but any version with extra salt is the perfect one for my tastes. These fish-shaped crackers have been in production in America since 1962, and were created four years before that. However, the iconic smiles on the fish were not a part of the product until 1997.

In conclusion, Goldfish are not only tasty, but also full of history and memories. Each time I come home from the store with a bag in my hand, it probably won’t last longer than two days, and that’s part of the fun.