I’m disappointed in the new Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Extra!, but not because of its taste. I’m disappointed by its use of the exclamation point, which is a symbol that expresses surprise, anger, pain and how hard you’re ROFL!!!!!!
The use of the exclamation point has got me dismayed for two reasons:
1. I was hoping the cereal would contain something extra beyond the extra because of the exclamation point.
2. I don’t know whether or not to shout the word “Extra” whenever I say the cereal’s name.
To clarify my first reason, I was basically hoping for a toy in the box, but there wasn’t any found, unless you consider the ingredient pyridoxine hydrochloride fun. I know what you’re thinking, I’m a little too old for a toy. While that maybe true, I’ll never be too old for a surprise. Besides toys don’t have to be cheap plastic figurines made in China, they could also be cheap plastic electronics made in China. The Raisin Bran Extra! box may be small, measuring 10″ high and 6.5″ wide, but it’s still big enough to fit shitty digital cameras, crappy cell phones, or Microsoft Zunes.
But alas, there were no toys in the box of Raisin Bran Extra! There were just things you might find in a homemade trail mix or on the floor in the self-serve natural foods aisle at your local grocery store: bran flakes, cranberries, raisins, yogurty clusters, and almond slices.
Compared with the raisins found in regular Raisin Bran, the raisins in this cereal were smaller and lacked the traditional Raisin Bran white sugary coating. The cranberries weren’t noticeable since they were hard to distinguish from the raisins in both looks and taste. The almonds didn’t provide any flavor. All they did was provide some crunchy texture after the bran flakes got soggy. As for the yogurt clusters, they were probably the only ingredient that brought some flavor to the table — adding a nice vanilla sweetness.
The overall flavor of the cereal was all right and I would probably prefer it over regular Raisin Bran if it didn’t come in such a small box. The extra ingredients may not have done much for the flavor, but I think they made the cereal healthier. Cranberries have antioxidants, almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats and the yogurty clusters provided something that could’ve easily been chocolately clusters. Also, the additions helped increase the fiber content to seven grams per serving.
Oh wait. Lemme edit that last sentence.
Also, the additions helped increase the fiber content to seven grams per serving!
That’s better.
(Nutrition Facts – 1 cup – 190 calories, 3 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 350 milligrams of sodium, 140 milligrams of potassium, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of dietary fiber, 13 grams of sugar, 24 grams of other carbohydrates, 5 grams of protein and a bunch of vitamins and minerals.)
Item: Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Extra!
Price: $7.89 (seriously)
Size: 14 ounces
Purchased at: Star Market
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Yogurty clusters provided a nice vanilla flavor to the cereal. Almonds and yogurty clusters gave the cereal a crunchy texture after the bran flakes got soggy. High in fiber.
Cons: No toy included. Almonds didn’t provide any flavor. Box is kind of small. Couldn’t distinguish cranberries from raisins. Raisins were smaller than those found in regular Raisin Bran. Slipping on spilled food in the self-serve natural foods aisle at your local grocery store. Contains high fructose corn syrup. Unsure reason for exclamation point in name.
I kind of like the Raisin Bran Crunch style, so I might like this. If I see it on sale I’ll check it out.
Raisin Bran has always been on the lower end of acceptable cereals, however, I too would have to wonder why they felt that they had to throw in an “Extra!” still it could make for a descent breakfast…
that’s a lot of cereal surplus built up lately.. I hope you are being responsible and sealing the package each use.
The reason they call it “Extra!” is because you end up paying “Extra!” for the same old crappy cereal.
Ha – I like JJ’s comment – so true!
The other day, I realised my favourite brand of rice pudding (Rachel’s rice) had an exclamation on the front.
Rachel’s Rice!
I’m not going to buy it anymore.
I’m not sure if you knew this, but pyridoxine is vitamin B6! I feel the need to use exclamation points!
Still not as good as finding a toy. 🙁
@Chuck – I like Raisin Bran Crunch too and I wish this was Raisin Bran Crunch Extra!, which now that I think about it, will probably come out in six months.
@Woodenhand – Corn Flakes is at the lower end for me.
@skibs – Yes, I am sealing them properly, but right now I have no milk so I can’t finish them off.
@JJ – You are probably correct.
@Tanya – I agree with him too.
@Rachel – If you don’t like it now because of the exclamation point, I say get a pen and scratch it out.
@Anna – Holy cow! Vitamin B6! Just like energy drinks! Maybe they are fun!
Marvo!!! Since this is another review about cereal, I will use this thread to tell you that I saw a brand new Fruit Loops cereal! However, it was chocolate, so it wasn’t THAT terrifying, but I thought it was pretty scary that they really HAD made a new kind… you should look for it! It has strange yellow ribbons in it. I think they’re supposed to be gold pieces?
P.S.: Anything with an exclamation mark in the title should be shouted out.
How the hell does a box of cereal retail for 7.89? No wonder you islanders go eat fast food instead of healthy arse cereal
@Heidi: Chocolate Froot Loops!?! MUST FIND!!!!!
@donkey: I don’t know, but my butt was sore after I purchased it.
Wow, most embarrassing typo ever! 🙁 I actually meant, “it wasn’t chocolate”…
sorry! cry 🙁
@Heidi: 🙁 I am deflated. You had my hopes up and your typo pushed me back down. I guess I can still dream.
It’s okay, Marvo… there is still hope. One day, those cereal people will run out of ideas and will have to go the way of the Pop Tart.
I don’t really mind the exclamation point; I actually didn’t notice it until you mentioned it. I love the new cereal. Liked Raisin Bran but love Raisin Bran-Extra (the cranberries, almonds, yogurt clusters and raisins are wonderful). It’s the best I’ve tasted in a long time and it’s different than the regular Raisin Bran. Plus, the fiber content is excellent! Unfortunately, all cereal seem to be over priced nowadays. When I used to by other cereals with similar ingredients from Post, I was spending over $4.00. But $7.89…yikes! where do you live? Raisin Bran-Extra costs $4.30 in Atlanta, GA.
I love Raisin Bran Extra! I have not been able to find it lately and am kind of freaking out because I am wondering if the manufacturer has discontinued it. I say the exclamation point is totlly appropriate and gramatically correct. Raisin Bran Extra! has extra yummy ingredients that traditional Raisin Bran does not have: crunchy sliced almonds, sweet and tangy dried cranberries, and my personal favorite, sweet and crunchy yogurt clusters. All together they pose a veritable symphony of flavors that leave your palate screaming for more. Thus, the exclamation point.
cannot find anywhere!!!!!
I love this rasin bran extra. I tried it and loved it but when I went to buy more I could not find it anywhere could you please tell me when will you be putting it back on the shelfs again, It is the best cereal I have ever eaten PLEASE PLEASE put it back on the shelf so I can buy it and enjoy my favorite cereal again. Tina W. From Lima, Ohio.
Hi Tina W.: We have no relationship with Kellogg’s. We just review products here.
I loved Raisin Bran Extra as well as a lot of other people I know.. especially my mom. I would love to know why it was discontinued. None of the other Raisin Bran products compare to Extra!