Testing 1, 2, 3: Hillsdale Middle School panel gives spoon up for insta-bowls cereal
“I have never seen anything like this,” declared Michael Carl Shenberger III as he geared up for this week’s taste challenge.
He is so right. Kellogg’s insta-bowls cereals, released to Walmart stores in early September, are innovative.
Shenberger of Perrysville was presented with insta-bowls Raisin Bran Crunch while fellow Hillsdale Middle School classmates Clair Brightbill of Ashland, and Memphis Denny of Jeromesville, checked out the Frosted Flakes version.
Insta-bowls’ — also in Apple Jacks and Froot Loops varieties — claim to fame is water, as in “Add cold water and stir to create real milk.”
Huh?
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Does the 'real milk' taste like water in insta-bowls cereal?
I recall those random times in life when instant nonfat dry milk powder, mixed with water, was served with my cereal. It was yucky! However, my 21st century tasters were optimistic.
Shenberger was excited yet skeptical. “I think the milk will taste like water. But I think the water tuning into milk is a very cool idea and I hope it works,” he said.
Denny had no qualms at all. “I think it will work and will taste good,” he said.
Brightbill chimed in with the guys but in more detail.
“I think water becoming milk is a good idea since water is everywhere and affordable. I think it will work and taste good but it might taste a little different than milk,” she explained.
They each added cold water (about 1/2 cup) to the fill line inside their “bowl” and stirred. It didn’t take long for the transformation to occur.
Shenberger, the Raisin Bran tester, said, “The milk is very good. It does taste a little more like water but not bad. I actually really like it, even the cereal.”
Brightbill had a similar reaction to her Frosted Flakes. “I like the taste of the milk but I don’t think it tastes like the actual thing. But it is good,” she said, noting that 2% is usually her milk of choice at home.
She likes it! Hey, Cami!
As for myself, I was totally surprised by how much I liked this newbie. Not only the taste and texture, but the convenience, which is something all three testers identified.
“If you are running late, you can grab one and add water and be on your way. It tastes really good,” Denny pointed out.
As a grownup (at least by the calendar), I could see this as the perfect mid-morning snack whether at work or when running a zillion errands. As Brightbill pointed out, water IS everywhere.
A caveat to shoppers. The insta-bowls cereals are packaged and labeled much like their Kellogg’s cereal-in-a-cup cousins, and I came mighty close to buying the milk-added version by mistake. Look over the labels, especially the tops.
The single serve insta-bowls are priced at $1.98, expensive compared to a family-sized box. However, the convenience is worth extra consideration, according to Erika Christensen, a prolific American actress. She reflects, “Having convenience when it comes to fueling your body is definitely an important thing.”
Here it is, Erika. Insta-bowls, a convenient body refuel. Check it out!
Would you like to attain fame (no fortune, sorry) as a taste tester for this column? Email camboh49@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Taste test panel from Hillsdale Middle School tries insta-bowls cereal
