Review: Post Honey Bunches of Oats - Morning Energy

January is always a busy month in the cereal world as companies see it as a perfect opportunity to launch new brands and varieties. This year is no exception. So, over the coming weeks I will review a few of the new cereals that have caught my attention. As always, it is impossible (and not necessary) to review every cereal on the market, but hopefully these samplings will provide a glimpse into some of the noteworthy additions to the market.

One of the most successful current cereal franchises is Post's Honey Bunches of Oats, and there are now a plethora of varieties available. The latest, however, adds a slightly new twist. New Morning Energy Chocolatey Almond Crunch is obvious targeting those who are looking for a morning boost, both in energy and nutrition. It contains a mixture of chocolatey chunks, almonds, "crispy flakes, crunchy oat clusters, and a touch of wildflower honey." If it sells well, we may likely see other flavors coming in this sub-brand. So, how does this cereal stack up?


As a medley of various components Honey Bunches of Oats cereals typically provide a tasty breakfast, and new Morning Energy is no exception. In fact, the combination of chocolate and almonds alone make this is a delightful treat. Not too sweet, and only natural flavors. You can't go wrong on taste.

Again, a big part of the success of Honey Bunches of Oats has been the creative mixtures they have put together. This results not only in good tastes, but interesting textures. The combination here of flakes, clusters, almond slices and chocolate pieces gives a good feel in the mouth. Generally it all holds up well in milk, except that at 10 minutes the many smaller pieces lose the battle.

 

Keeping these 17 or so varieties of Honey Bunches of Oats interesting is no easy feat, but Post has done it with Morning Energy, by giving the box and logo a bold, energetic look. Even if the cereal doesn't offer much more appreciable food energy than most cereals, the box jumps. The overall experience is also enhanced by the chocolatey chunks - a touch of perceived authenticity.

An important part of the selling point for Morning Energy is its nutritional qualities, especially 6 grams of protein. For a cereal promoting energy it is not overladen with sugar (around 20% of total weight), but instead claims "energy that lasts", a reference to the higher protein quantity. It also boasts 5 grams of fiber per serving. All of this in combination with the usual fortified vitamins and minerals makes for a solid, healthful cereal.

All in all this is a solid new entry for 2014, and Post keeps finding a way to make Honey Bunches of Oats a brand of preference for many people. New Morning Energy certainly won't disappoint.

 (Review Protocol HERE)

Review: Post Honey Bunches of Oats - Greek Honey Crunch

I'm still working to review some of the many new cereals introduced earlier this year. While my intent is not to review every new cereal that comes out, some are noteworthy and deserve the attention. Such is the case with the new Greek yogurt flavored Honey Bunches of Oats. Honey Bunches of Oats has become Post's leading cereal franchise, now with 12 flavors. What makes this one stand out above the others is the way that the company is taking advantage of a current food fad, Greek yogurt, and capitalizing on it. The marketing for the cereal has been fairly heavy.

This is not the first cereal made with yogurt, but the first major brand utilizing the high-protein, low-sugar dairy Greek type. Additionally, this variety is comprised of two granolas made with real Greek yogurt, whole grain flakes and honey. So, how does it stack up as a breakfast cereal?

Let's start with taste. I believe that a big reason for Post's success with the Honey Bunches of Oats brand is the creative combination of ingredients that are big on flavor. This latest variety is no exception. Apart from the more standard ingredients like granola and flakes, the yogurt clusters do add a bright flavor to the mix when you bite into them. Along with the slight sweetness, it makes for a tasty breakfast. So far, in my opinion, it's the best tasting new cereal of the year.

Medley cereals can be a challenge when it comes to texture. While variety in the mouth can bring about a kaleidoscope of sensations, once exposed to milk things can go awry quickly, as is the case with Cheerios new medley. Greek Honey Crunch balances it all quite well. The cereal is easy to eat out of the box, and even after soaking for 5-10 minutes it is still worth eating, although the flakes start moving toward the end of their life.

Marketing has contributed to this being perceived as a unique, healthy cereal. Even the stylized lettering (which is barely Greek) on the box contributes to the experience that consumers will have as they chow down. Combined with the solid taste and texture, the overall experience is very positive.

Post is definitely emphasizing the nutritious values of Honey Bunches of Oats in general, and this Greek yogurt version in particular. The claims here are on 5g of protein and 33g of whole grains per serving. Not bad, but all is not perfect. First, I am surprised considering the high protein qualities of Greek yogurt that the numbers are not higher. Also, fat (3.5g) and sugar (22% of weight) contents are little higher than what I would desire in a highly nutritious cereal. Nevertheless, you really can't go too wrong offering this to your family.

As you can tell from the individual categories and ratings this is a well-crafted cereal and one that deserves the attention it is getting. My only question is whether it will be able to sustain popularity once people move onto the next health food fad. Nevertheless, it will contribute to the overall popularity and strength of Honey Bunches of Oats. That has to be good news for Post, which seems to be getting it together in recent years.

(Review protocol HERE)