Frosted Mini Wheats Cocoa

Name: Frosted Mini Wheats Cocoa
Variation: Frosted Mini Wheats
Manufacturer: Kellogg's

Review: I haven't had the greatest experience with Frosted Mini Wheats so far - it just isn't my cereal. But I spotted this new Cocoa flavor, advertising that it "turns milk chocolatey". That's been one of my biggest complaints about these cereals in the past - they don't give the milk any kind of flavor. So I had to try it.

Still too chewy. Still don't like the taste or texture of the shredded wheat biscuits. Although, as usual, the chocolate they've flavored them with is good - but, like lipstick on a pig, it's just not enough. Same with the milk. It's a little chocolatey, but it'll never compare to the milk after a bowl of Cocoa Puffs, or Chocolate Frosted Flakes. I don't regret trying this cereal, but I don't see myself buying it again.

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: There's a hint of cocoa. I guess.

Honey Bunches of Oats - Maple & Pecans

Name: Honey Bunches of Oats - Maple & Pecans
Variation: Honey Bunches of Oats
Manufacturer: Post

Review: Of all the varieties of Honey Bunches of Oats I've seen so far, this is the one I was looking forward to trying the least. I mean, it doesn't even sound appetizing (although the box is a pretty color). Experience has borne out that I'm not super fond of maple-flavored cereals (unless they have marshmallows), and pecans - well, I could take or leave any kind of nut in my cereal. I couldn't even say if I like them better or worse than almonds. Although maple is usually associated with sugary syrup, this cereal - like the others - isn't very sweet. The flavors are subtle, and mostly it just tastes plain. I've gained an appreciation for certain flavors of Honey Bunches of Oats over the past weeks - albeit in small doses - but I can't say this is one of them.

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: Flaky, and maple-flavored.

Cinnamon Bunches

Name: Honey Bunches of Oats - Cinnamon Bunches
Variation: Honey Bunches of Oats
Manufacturer: Post

Review: I'm not sure "cinnamon" is going to be enough of a flavor to redeem this cereal's plainness (it wasn't enough for Cheerios Oat Crunch), but I'm going to give it a try. I can taste the cinnamon, but it's subtle. The cereal's still not sweet enough. I'd put this one on par with Honey Roasted. I can tolerate it in small doses. But I won't miss it when it's gone. So far, the only versions I'd give the time of day are Frosted Bunches, and the one with Real Strawberries. And I don't think the next flavor I'm going to try is going to change that...

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: Flaky, and specked with cinnamon.

Arctic Crunch

Name: Arctic Crunch (Vanilla Frost)
Variation: Cap'n Crunch
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats

Review: Continuing Quaker Oats' campaign to donate a portion of sales to Ocean Conservancy, this new variety of Cap'n Crunch would seem to be a sequel to last year's Sea Berry Crunch. I only wish last year's unfortunate recall hadn't hamstrung Sea Berry Crunch's chances at popularity (I've noticed that Cinnamon Crunch - which was also affected - appears to be poised for more longevity). I like the idea of the Cap'n sailing to the Arctic - it's entirely on-brand. But I think I've established by now my feelings on vanilla. I'm just glad the "frost" part doesn't refer to that mouth-cooling menthol effect that I've had quite enough of already.

Opening the box, you can definitely smell the vanilla. The white and blue color mix looks suitably arctic. I feel like the Crunch Berries are softer than usual - they almost melt in your mouth. The vanilla flavor is not overpowering, but I do miss the Crunch Berries' usual, fruity flavor. I really like this cereal's presentation and thematic consistency - I believe those are things that deserve recognition. But the bottom line is that this is a breakfast cereal, and a commercial product. And I don't know that I like eating it enough to buy it again, especially when there are better Crunch Berry cereals already on the market...

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: Cool blue vanilla.

Chocolate Strawberry LOADED

Name: Chocolate Strawberry LOADED
Variation: LOADED
Manufacturer: General Mills

Review: I was excited to see that General Mills is continuing to expand their LOADED lineup this year. Previously, the only flavor not tied to an existing brand (Cocoa Puffs, Trix, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch) was Birthday Cake LOADED. Now, I introduce to you Chocolate Strawberry LOADED - and just in time for Valentine's Day!

The great thing about this cereal is that it's the first LOADED cereal to use chocolate (creme) filling instead of vanilla. How exciting is that? The color of the cereal is vividly red, and it smells of strawberry. It could have a more vibrant flavor, but I think what sells these LOADED cereals is the satisfying mouthfeel. They soften up in milk, without tasting soggy, and are a lot of fun to eat. Kellogg's Krave might very well have a new competitor!

Rating: 🥣🥣
Leftover Milk: Vividly pink but faintly flavored.

Golden Crisp

Name: Golden Crisp
Variation: n/a
Manufacturer: Post

Review: This is one of those cereals my eyes always glance over without really noticing - until I recently snatched up a bunch of Post cereals that were on sale. And I didn't realize it until I saw them sitting side by side, but this cereal is a dead ringer for Honey Smacks!* What's shocking is that this one has even more sugar than what I previously thought was the sugariest cereal on the market - and not by a small margin, either. We're talking about a 16% increase. Yikes! *(My research indicates that Golden Crisp was the original, making Honey Smacks literally a pale imitation).

Since Honey Smacks was unexpectedly disappointing, I was worried that this cereal would also be a dud. But my initial impression is actually favorable. It has a shinier gold color, and tastes crispier. With a more inviting look, a warmer flavor, and less of a styrofoam-like texture, this is, without a doubt, the superior cereal. I just wish they could have pulled that off without using so much sugar. There are plenty of good cereals on the market that have a much more reasonable sugar content. I think this cereal has earned its two bowl rating, but I won't be eating it again anytime soon.

Rating: 🥣🥣
Leftover Milk: Honey-glazed!

Honey Smacks

Name: Honey Smacks
Variation: n/a
Manufacturer: Kellogg's

Review: I'd been avoiding this cereal because I did a survey several years back, and it was one of the sugariest cereals on the market. But now its time has come. I have to say, it's not the most visually appealing cereal - the wheat puffs have this weird, hot dog bun-like shape, with "eyelets" and flakes of skin peeling off. They're crispy, but they also have a bit of a styrofoam-like texture (what is it with honey cereals imitating styrofoam?). They do have a bit of a "snap" when added to milk, but not on the level of Rice Krispies. They're sweet, but there's not much flavor beyond "styrofoam drenched in honey". I thought I'd regret trying this cereal because it would turn out to be too good to resist, but on the contrary - I'm struggling to finish my bowl. I honestly don't see the appeal. And with this much sugar, I could be eating Mega Stuf Oreo O's!

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: Sweeter than the cereal itself.