Ask me what my favourite food is and off the top of my head, I’ll likely say something pretty generic, like potatoes or pasta. However, when I really look underneath the surface, into my inner core, my heart proudly bursts: “Carolynn, let’s be honest, it’s got to be cereal!”
I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve thought this through a few times and I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a pretty good relationship with cereal. It’s one of the things that I look forward to at the end of the day.
That’s right, the end of the day.
A little-known fact that a few of my close friends, most of my family members, and all of my housemates know about me is that I religiously eat a bowl of cereal every night before I go to bed. It’s something that started when I was pretty young, and after a while, it just stuck. This routine has become so ingrained in me that I feel like I don’t sleep as well if I don’t have a bowl of cereal before bed. And I have to say, I do love the tradition.
Perhaps this keen interest in cereal is a little strange, but I’m so interested and eager to share my enthusiasm with you, that I’ve decided to dig my spoon in a little deeper by looking into the history of cereal and elaborating on certain elements.
ON HISTORY
As one of the most prominent and recognizable brands in the cereal industry, Kellogg’s early beginnings date back to 1894, with W. K. Kellogg and his brother producing their very first product, Toasted Corn Flakes, in 1906. The appearance of Rice Krispies was soon to follow in 1928. Both of these products can still be found today on grocery store shelves across North America and beyond.
According to a document published by Kellogg’s, Cereal: The Complete Story, cereals have been a part of people’s diets for many years, with the word cereal originating from the name Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of the harvest.
In their early advertisements, Kellogg’s used slogans such as “The Best Way to Start the Day,” emphasizing the importance of breakfast. Children were often featured in their advertising campaigns looking happy, healthy, and well-fed.
ON MIXING
Now it would be wrong of me to neglect the topic of mixing when it comes to breakfast cereals. If you’ve never tried pairing at least two cereals together to create your own unique combination, you are truly missing out! One cereal by itself is good, but two or more mixed together is even better.
The art of mixing is comparable to the skill of being able to tell the difference between pairing a steak with a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon versus a sweet Moscato.You have to feel it. They have to complement each other. A lot of experimentation often has to take place, but that’s okay — this is what life is for.
According to Post Consumer Brands, a dedicated employee of the company actually discovered Honey Bunches of Oats (number three on my list!) by mixing different types of cereal together and having his daughter taste test them.
ON ADVERTISING
With the changing markets and fluctuating popularity of breakfast cereals, companies have had to get creative with their marketing campaigns. I can clearly remember General Mills introducing their new and improved diamond shreddies a few years back. Very clever, since diamonds are simply squares turned on an angle. This campaign seemed to catch the attention of many, even if only for a short time.
Breakfast cereal companies have also often catered many of their products towards children. Some of their tactics have included brightly colouring the cereal boxes and the cereal itself, adding addictive amounts of sugar, creating a friendly character to represent and advertise the product and appeal to children and their families (think Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam), and providing toys and other incentives inside the cereal boxes for kids to look forward to finding.
I’ve decided that one of the reasons why I like cereal so much and find it so delicious is because of the sugar rush that I get. I’ve heard that sugar can produce similar physiological effects in the body as that experienced by someone who is taking a drug. And if this is the case, and I am slightly addicted, then I’m happy to admit it.
[trx_infobox style=”regular” closeable=”no” icon=”icon-thumbs-up-light” bg_color=”#7AC3EC” top=”inherit” bottom=”inherit” left=”inherit” right=”inherit”]Carolynn’s top three cereals:
I’ve tried many different kinds, because when you’re committed to being an expert, you need to be well-educated, right? After much experimentation over the years, I’ve come to a consensus about my top three favourites.
1. Mini-Wheats
2. Harvest Crunch
3. Honey Bunches of Oats
[/trx_infobox]Top 10 best-selling cereals:
Out of curiosity, I decided to search the best-selling cereal brands and came across this list from an article published by Fox News.
1. Honey Nut Cheerios
2. Frosted Flakes
3. Honey Bunches of Oats
4. Cheerios
5. Cinnamon Toast Crunch
6. Special K
7. Mini-Wheats
8. Lucky Charms
9. Froot Loops
10. Raisin Bran
Can you find your favourite on this list?
Great article Carolynn!!! When in doubt…get the cereal out!!!