Marvo

REVIEW: Monster Energy Nitro Cosmic Peach

Marvo / December 23, 2022 / Reviews / 1 Comment

If you enjoy Monster’s Ultra Peachy Keen Energy Drink that came out about a year ago but wonder what it would taste like sweetened with sugar and not an artificial sweetener cocktail, Monster’s new Nitro Cosmic Peach Energy Drink will let your taste buds experience that.

It has a great flavor similar to Ultra Peachy Keen in that it tastes like peach gummy rings. But now that I’ve tried both, I wouldn’t swap the 50 grams of sugar this has with the zero sugar of the older energy drink. (There’s some Sucralose in this, but it’s far down the ingredient list.)

When I reviewed Ultra Peachy Keen, one of the things I noted was how some folks might find it to be too sweet. If that’s you, this Nitro Cosmic Peach will make your teeth ache and your mouth question if it’s snowing sugar and you’re sticking out your tongue to catch some. But you won’t be alone. I find this a bit too sweet, making it harder to consume than the zero sugar one.

According to Monster Energy, adding nitrogen (hence its name) creates a smooth and creamy texture (and a foam head if you pour it into a glass). The nitrogen is mixed into the beverage and not dispersed from an infuser after opening the can, like with Nitro Pepsi or Starbucks’ canned Nitro Cold Brew. Thanks to the tiny bubbles from the nitrogen, it’s definitely smooth, but I wouldn’t consider it creamy. Usually, being a smooth beverage makes it easier to drink, but this being overly sweet makes it less so.

Overall, Monster’s Nitro Cosmic Peach and its gummy rings flavor is good. But, again, I wouldn’t pick it over Ultra Peachy Keen, which has the same flavor profile and amount of caffeine without the sugar. If there wasn’t that option, it might be a different story. They don’t taste exactly alike, but I don’t find this to be better tasting.

But if you don’t care for Monster’s Ultra line, this is a peachy way to get Monster’s energy blend into your body.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 210 calories, 0 grams of fat, 400 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 50 grams of sugar (including 50 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Cheerios Oat Crunch Berry Cereal

Marvo / December 22, 2022 / Reviews / 5 Comments

The informational PDF I got from General Mills promoting its new Cheerios Oat Crunch Berry Cereal says that the whole grains provide “long-lasting energy,” but I have no way to prove that. However, having had a few Cheerios Oat Crunch varieties over the years, including this new Berry flavor, I can definitely say the cereal maintains a long-lasting crunchiness while sitting in milk.

Like regular Cheerios varieties, the whole grain cereal part eventually gets soggy. But the oats in the center of those pieces provide an auxiliary crunch that’ll be around even for the slowest cereal eaters.

This new Berry version joins Cinnamon, Oats ‘N Honey, and Almond in the Cheerios Oat Crunch lineup, and it features a blend of raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry purees with natural flavors. When I sit, focus, and become one of the slowest cereal eaters, my taste buds can pick out the different berries. But when I’m mindlessly shoveling the cereal with milk into my mouth while I mindlessly scroll through suggested Instagram Reels that, for some reason, are about home organization and natural disasters, I mostly notice the raspberry and blueberry. Whether I eat it slow or fast, this cereal’s flavor is delightful.

However, while the berry taste starts strong with the first few spoonfuls with milk, that flavor noticeably fades before I’m halfway through the bowl. Does it wash into the milk and get diluted? Did Cheerios make a deal with The Devil by offering some of the cereal’s flavor in return for helping maintain the cereal’s crunch? Also, hold up. There’s a Cheerios Oat Crunch Almond variety? When did that happen?

I’m a fan of Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon Cereal, and I’m a fan of this new berry variety. I can’t tell if it gives me long-lasting energy, but its tasty berry taste makes me long for it. Also, as I mentioned in my review of the Cinnamon one, I want a chocolate version from General Mills.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product sample from General Mills. Doing so did not influence my review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 18 oz box (Large Size)
Purchased at: Received from General Mills
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup) 220 calories, 5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 230 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar (including 10 grams of added sugar), and 4 grams of protein.

Cereal Cheerios General Mills

SPOTTED: Cheerios Oat Crunch Berry Cereal

Marvo / December 20, 2022 / Spotted on Shelves / 2 Comments

Update: We tried it! Click here to read our review.

I’m horrible with keeping up to date on Cheerios Oat Crunch varieties. I didn’t know that along with this new Berry one, Cinnamon, and Oats ‘N Honey, there has been an Almond version. (Spotted by Tommy at Hannaford.)

REVIEW: Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink

Marvo / December 20, 2022 / Reviews

Monster Energy has rolled out a new addition to its Reserve Energy Drink line — Kiwi Strawberry. It follows Watermelon, White Pineapple, and Orange Dreamsicle. Also, I almost posted this review with every “Kiwi Strawberry” reference with “Strawberry Kiwi.” Thank goodness for Find and Replace.

That would’ve been embarrassing, but I don’t think I’ve seen “kiwi strawberry” before, and Google will probably prove me wrong. Yup, it did — lots of kiwi strawberry-flavored beverages. But what I’m not wrong about is how delightful tasting this Monster Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink is.

If you’re unfamiliar with Monster’s Reserve lineup, they’re fruity takes on the original Monster Energy Drink. You could think of it as how Mtn Dew describes its flavors. You know, a Dew with a blast of (insert fruit name here) or a Dew charged with (insert fruit name here). This is Monster Energy with a jolt of kiwi strawberry.

I’ve only had the Orange Dreamsicle flavor, and the issue I had with it was its artificial sweetener-enhanced aftertaste that reminded me of orange medicine tablets. With this one, there were no such issues. Its syrupy strawberry aroma is inviting, and its flavor is also red-berry-heavy. As I consumed it, I thought it tasted similar to another energy drink or soda, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. As for the kiwi part, I’m unsure if the tanginess I’m noticing is from the strawberry or kiwi flavoring. I also, and this might only be my taste buds, occasionally get a slight cotton candy vibe from this that’s probably from the strawberry.

Monster’s Reserve Kiwi Strawberry Energy Drink is the best tasting flavor I’ve had from this Reserve line. Granted, I’ve only had two of the four. But if you enjoy kiwi strawberry or strawberry kiwi beverages and need a kick of caffeine, this is a tasty option.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 16 fl oz can
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 120 calories, 0 grams of fat, 250 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 28 grams of sugar (including 28 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.