New Product Review:

True Delights Instant Oatmeal

Reviewed by Mr Breakfast on 2/9/2010

I absolutely loved this product. I tried two varieties: Hazelnut Latte and Wild Blueberry Muffin.

The Hazelnut Latte variety wins my award for The Best Smelling Oatmeal I've Ever Experienced. You get an idea what you're in for the second you tear open the packet. Even before you add hot water or milk to the packet, you're hit with an aroma that that reminds you of of stepping into a hip, boutique coffee shop. Adding hot liquid to the oatmeal only enhances the olfactory sensation of warm coffee and baked goods.

And the taste? Do you remember the old York Peppermint Pattie commercials where a person would bite into a pattie and suddenly be transported to a chilly mountain top? Well, it might not seem as dramatic, but when I bite into a bowl of True Delights Hazelnut Latte Oatmeal, I suddenly feel like I'm at... my local Starbucks or Coffee Bean coffee shop.

In short, the taste is delicious. The flavor of "hazelnut latte" is nutty, almost carmel-like with a near-chocolate undertone. If you're familiar with the drink, it does taste very much like a Hazelnut Latte.

To make matters better, the texture of this oatmeal is a step above most. In every other bite, you're greeted by the light, tender crunch of a real hazelnut piece.

The thing I like best about this oatmeal is the potential it alludes to. With all the flavors of oatmeal available, this new hazelnut latte flavor shows there's still room for more. Other coffee shop flavors come to mind: Caramel Frappuccino, Cherry Chai Macchiato, Oatnut Scone, White Chocolate Mocha Cappuccino, etc. It's exciting to think our old friend oatmeal might still be growing, maturing to keep with the times. An oatmeal that tastes great and could be a sign of a more exciting future? I'll have another box of that please.

The Wild Blueberry Muffin variety is also fantastic. It's not a bowl-you-over flavor innovation like its partner, but it's nearly as delicious. There's a distinct authentic blueberry flavor throughout the product and in almost every spoonful there's at least one tiny wild blueberry to give a little extra burst of real blueberry flavor.

My only complaint is that the blueberries stay slightly firm in the prepared oatmeal. This is a very minor beef. If the berries reconstituted to an authentic blueberry texture, this oatmeal would be very close to perfect.

Nutritional considerations: Each single packet servings contains 150 calories. The blueberry version has 2 grams total fat and the hazelnut version has 2.5 grams total fat. Both varieties have 0.5 grams saturated fat and 0 trans fat. Both contain 4 grams of dietary fiber, 9 grams of sugars and 5 grams of protein.




The price we paid: $2.49