Lucky the Leprechaun is having an identity crisis. First, he thought he was Tony the Tiger with Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes, and now he thinks he’s a Flintstone with the new Fruity Lucky Charms. I hope he figures it out soon before we see a version with two scoops of raisins.
On the bright side, this new iteration isn’t just the original dyed pink. Instead of frosted toasted oat cereal, it’s sweetened corn cereal which tastes quite different. The former tastes boring and oat-y (see: Cheerios) but with pops of sweet marshmallows as a reprieve. No wonder I tried picking out just the marshmallows as a kid! The latter is definitely sweeter and more Fruity Pebbles-like, but not as sweet or as abrasive to the roof of your mouth. And although it’s made of corn instead of oat, the shape and texture stay true to form.
On the not-so-bright side, the pinky orangey bits of sweetened corn are overpowering. You can only taste the nondescript fruits that make up whatever “fruity” is supposed to be. To make matters a touch worse, there is also an equally nondescript bitter aftertaste.
The taste experience goes from a fruity sweetness to a slight sourness, which makes your glands salivate like eating a pleasant sour candy, but it resolves into a bitterness. It’s not an awful bitterness that made me stop eating though. If you spoon quickly enough, you can keep your taste buds tricked with continued hits of initial sweetness.
Unfortunately, because of the overpowering flavor, the marshmallows get completely lost and are just a texture add-in. Speaking of the marshmallows, it’s surprising to see these bits were brighter than in the original ones. I suppose that makes sense because you don’t want the ‘mallows to look washed out against the neon.
I was a bit disappointed it didn’t turn my milk millennial pink though. Given how vibrant the marshmallows and cereal were, I was hoping for some food magic. But, OG Charms don’t really do that either, so I guess I should’ve had more realistic expectations! I ultimately prefer it sans milk though, like most of my other cereal consumption. The flavor seems about the same when eaten with milk and eaten dry. Yes, bitterness and all.
Despite the weird aftertaste, I still think Fruity Lucky Charms are magically delicious. Yes, even this version of the identity crisis.
Purchased Price: $3.64
Size: 21.2 oz. box (Family Size)
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3/4 cup without milk) – 100 calories, 10 calories from fat, 1 gram of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 50 milligrams of potassium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar, 13 grams of other carbohydrates, and 1 gram of protein.
