Cereal Wednesday Episode XIV: Lucky Charms
Although there was severe bag slippage, the actual cereal was pretty good. It was a nicely sweetened oat cereal that wasn’t too sweet or course to the mouth. While there is differentiating opinion between myself and my guest, The Donkey, I thought the cereal to marshmallow ratio was adequate. One of the more important aspects about Lucky Charms is that it is in fact a FUN cereal to eat.
One of the most common additives to breakfast cereal has become marshmallows. General Mills’ Lucky Charms cereal is one of the better known marshmallow enhanced cereals, probably because it was actually the first. Created by John Holahan in 1963, Lucky Charms was the simple mix of Cheerios and the Kraft Circus Peanut candies. The manufacturing of the cereal kept all of the current General Mills facilities and capabilities, but created what was essentially a new brand of product. The first marshmallow shapes, called marbits in the industry, were Yellow Moons, Orange Stars, Pink Hearts, and Green Clovers.
Over the years, the marbits have changed in both shapes and colors. Blue Diamonds were added in 1975, Purple Hoseshoes added in 1984, Red Balloons added in 1989, Rainbows added in 1992, Pots Of Gold added in 1994, Leprechaun Hats added in 1996, and Shooting Stars in 1998. With the additions, there were also loses and changes to the other marbits. The most recent addition in 2006 of Hidden Key marshmallows is only the most recent change of marketing that General Mills has experimented with. When milk is added to the cereal, sugar dissolves off the Hidden Key marshmallows to reveal letters or characters depending on the current promotion allowing them marketing flexibility.
Lucky Charms stands out from other cereal brands due to its cultural base of reference. Most people will equate Lucky Charms to its iconic mascot Lucky the Leprechaun. Using the motto, “Magically Delicious“, Lucky the Leprechaun rose to cult fame as he would transform white plain marshmallows into magical shapes and colors found in the cereal. Advertisements usually had kids chasing Lucky for his cereal, and winning in the end.
With its strong ethnic roots, iconic mascot, and its revolution with the use of marbits, Lucky Charms has secured itself a place at the breakfast table.
Cereal Wednesday Bowls:
For more information you can visit the Official Lucky Charms website.
Special thanks to my guest, The Donkey. Check him out on MySpace!
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I remember the first time i ever had Lucky Charms, I was Totally Thrilled. It was the first cereal I ever baught for myself with my lawn mowing money. I was a kid thinking, WOW Cereal with Marshmellows WOW this is the greatest thing ever invented ! Then two mornings later my mom caught me eating it and made me dump all the cereal down the garbage disposal while she watched, Evil Woman, she was strongly agaisnt marshmellow cereals as the felt that Candy with breakfast was not a good idea. I think that you should review other Marshmellow cerials like Count Chocula or Frankenberry or Booberry cerials.