Cracking the Code: The Sweet History and Fun of Fortune Cookies on Fortune Cookie Day

The Surprising Origins of Fortune Cookies

Despite being a staple of American Chinese restaurants, fortune cookies are not actually from China. Their origins can be traced back to Japanese immigrants in California in the early 20th century.

Historians believe that a version of the cookie, called tsujiura senbei, existed in Kyoto, Japan, as far back as the 1800s. These Japanese cookies contained fortunes tucked into the folds. When Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S., they brought this tradition with them.

The modern fortune cookie as we know it—sweet, vanilla-flavored, and folded with a hidden message—gained popularity in San Francisco and Los Angeles during the early 1900s. Several bakeries claim to have invented it, but there’s no definitive “one inventor.” What’s certain is that fortune cookies became firmly linked with Chinese restaurants in America, especially after World War II, when Japanese-American businesses were disrupted by internment camps. Chinese restaurant owners adopted the cookie and made it a tradition with meals.

How Fortune Cookies Are Made

While fortune cookies look simple, making them is an art—especially if done by hand. Here’s how the magic happens:

1. Batter Creation: A thin batter made of flour, sugar, vanilla, and oil is poured onto a hot griddle.

2. Baking: The batter is spread into small, thin circles and baked until just golden.

3. Fortune Insertion: Before the cookie hardens, a paper fortune is placed in the center.

4. Folding: The hot cookie is folded over a rod or rim to achieve its iconic shape.

5. Cooling: Once folded, the cookie quickly hardens into a crisp shell.

Modern factories produce thousands of fortune cookies per hour using specialized machinery, ensuring uniform shape and consistent quality. However, artisanal bakers still make them by hand for custom orders or special occasions.

Fun Facts About Fortune Cookies

• Billions Made Every Year: An estimated 3 billion fortune cookies are produced annually—mostly in the United States.
• Not Popular in China: In China, fortune cookies are seen as an American novelty and are rarely served in restaurants.
• Guinness Record: The largest fortune cookie ever made weighed over 1.5 kilograms (about 3.3 pounds) and contained a fortune over 5 feet long!
• Funny Fortunes: Some fortunes are classics (“You will soon embark on a new adventure”), while others are downright hilarious or cryptic.
• Lucky Numbers: Many cookies include “lucky numbers,” which some people use to play the lottery. There have been real lottery wins thanks to those numbers!

How to Celebrate Fortune Cookie Day

Here are some fun ways to honor Fortune Cookie Day on July 20:

• Make Your Own Cookies: Try baking homemade fortune cookies and personalize the messages inside for family or friends.

• Host a Fortune Swap: Gather friends and trade cookies to see who gets the funniest or most accurate fortune.

• Share on Social Media: Snap photos of your cookie and fortune. Tag posts with #FortuneCookieDay to join the celebration.

• Include Them in Gifts: Add a fortune cookie to gift bags or party favors for a sweet surprise.

• Learn Your Cookie’s Origin: Share a bit of history with friends over dinner. You’ll impress them with your fortune cookie knowledge!

Final Thoughts

Fortune cookies are more than just a tasty after-dinner treat. They’re a quirky symbol of cultural fusion, creativity, and the universal love of mystery. On July 20, celebrate Fortune Cookie Day by cracking open a cookie and embracing the wisdom—or humor—hidden inside.

After all, you never know what good fortune might be waiting for you in your next cookie!