When I was young, I clearly remember that the Raisin Bran commercial was all about two whole scoops of raisins. Seemingly, the other brands were skimpy with their raisins. I had a little trick that helped me access the good stuff, which often shifted to the bottom of the box. When opening new cereal, I would take out the bag, flip it upside-down and then open the bag. The clusters or raisins were better proportioned as you worked your way through the box.
Last week, I bought a box of Wild Harvest organic raisin brain. There was no claim as to how many raisins were in the box. Well, I will tell you what… this pendulum has swung too far. There are TOO MANY raisins in this box. What about the flakes? I really don’t want more than one to two raisins per spoonful of flakes. Otherwise, too chewy. Too sweet.
As I stared, frustrated, into the bottom of my bowl with the dregs of my milk and a pile of raisins, I had a realization: Ratio is so important. Even if the flavor of everything you make, bake or eat is just perfect, the ratios of all the parts can make or break the whole. So, beware of an excess of sauce, skimpy nuts, overwhelming garnish, or too many raisins!
November 13th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Now thats just funny. I bet someone out there is looking at their bowl of Wild Harvest right now and wondering…why don’t I have ANY raisins?
November 13th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I love posts like this, I have read a load of recipes today in a time wasting
task avoidance kind of way, but end up wanting a bowl of raisin bran and a raisin couting session.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:47 am
two scoops?
November 15th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Woww, that is crazy! I remember always wanting more raisins too; I’m surprised they’re splurging like that!
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:37 am
You are so right on this one!!!! I never thought the day would come when I would say there were too many sugar coated raisins in a box, but seriously, it’s come to picking them out and saving them for the trail mix jar or something.
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:36 am
I have been eating Raisin Bran for about 40 years and I am certain there is higher proportion of raisins now than there was when I was a kid. As a kid I remember there being not enough raisins. Now I think there are too many. It seems like there are more than twice as many raisins now.
I am guessing the cost per pound of raisins must now be lower than the cost per pound of flakes.
I would love to know if anyone has any hard data to back up my theory.