Episode summary introduction:

This podcast episode delves into the significance of breakfast, specifically focusing on the enduring popularity of Cap'N Crunch cereal, which has graced breakfast tables since its inception in 1963. The conversation extends to the critical role that breakfast plays in our daily routines, serving as a vital source of nourishment and a catalyst for connection within families. We also touch upon the multifaceted evolution of breakfast cereals, highlighting their cultural impact and the nostalgic memories they evoke from our childhoods. Join us as we navigate the complexities of this quintessential meal and its far-reaching implications in our lives.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Within the framework of a seemingly lighthearted discussion about Cap'N Crunch, the episode traverses deeper themes of convenience in contemporary life and the psychological ramifications of breakfast cereals on familial interactions. TC and Maddog engage in a serious dialogue, reflecting on how the introduction of ready-to-eat cereals has revolutionized morning routines, offering parents a quick solution amidst the chaos of daily life. They articulate a profound concern regarding the nutritional content of these cereals, juxtaposed against the marketing strategies that often glamorize sugary choices. The hosts reminisce about their childhood experiences with breakfast cereals, using these anecdotes to illustrate the broader societal shifts toward convenience foods. The episode serves as a critical examination of how breakfast cereals have not only influenced dietary choices but have also fostered a sense of community and togetherness during family meals. In doing so, it challenges listeners to reconsider their breakfast habits, advocating for a mindful approach to nutrition in an era dominated by instant gratification. Through reflective insights and meaningful dialogue, this episode encapsulates the complexity of a staple food item that holds the power to evoke memories while simultaneously raising pressing questions about health and wellness.

Walkabout takeaways:

The podcast discusses the significance of breakfast cereal in our daily lives, emphasizing its role as a convenient and nostalgic meal option.

The hosts reflect on their childhood memories associated with breakfast cereals, illustrating how these foods are intertwined with personal histories and shared experiences.

The episode covers the evolution of breakfast cereals, noting how they have transformed from simple meals to a vast array of sugary options targeting children.

The discussion highlights the cultural impact of breakfast cereals, particularly how marketing has shaped consumer preferences and childhood memories.

Lastly, the hosts conclude by contemplating how breakfast cereals have revolutionized morning routines and influenced dietary habits across generations.

More about E-Walkabout:

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“St. Mike's Fortunes”

A special thanks to Steven Kelly, our technical advisor, who keeps trying to teach these old dogs new tricks when it comes to sounds and recording!!

“Remember to take advantage of the moment before the moment takes advantage of you!”

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Cap'N Crunch
2. Quaker
3. Cotton Candy Cap'N Crunch
4. Count Chocula
5. Fruit Loops
6. Tony the Tiger
7. Frosted Flakes
8. Life Cereal
9. Cinnamon Toast Crunch
10. Rice Krispies

Electronic Walkabout. No one should have to walk through life alone. We share the good times, the bad times, and the best times.

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The Electronic Walkabout. Maddog, welcome to another exciting episode of Electronic Walkabout. And how are you doing this fine day?

Thank you, TC. I'm doing very well, actually.

Just getting settled into a new life in the US and just establishing routines and just getting to know the lay of the land. So it's been. Been an adventure so far.

Yeah. And I just. I just want to remind the listeners this is actually kind of new for Electronic Walkabout, where we're not actually together recording.

We're literally in two different countries, and somehow technology has brought us together to continue on with this podcast.

I'm glad you could figure it out.

But right now, we're going to talk about Cap'N Crunch.

Oh, very. Is that your favorite?

Well, it was one of those ones. It was almost like a treat as a kid. So I. And I. And I'll tell you the reason why that I picked this up, because I was.

I was at my grandson's house, and I looked at the island there, and I saw this box of Cap'N Crunch. But, yeah, guess what? It wasn't your regular Cap'N Crunch was Cotton Candy Cap'N Crunch.

Oh, gosh. Yeah. That's the. The problem nowadays is there's 700 different flavors to every good cereal there is.

So we're going to talk about that. We're going to talk about. Because it's a pop culture thing when you think about breakfast cereals. So when you.

When you think about when you were growing up, was there that one commercial that referred to breakfast cereal that kind of lit you up? So I got to have that breakfast.

Cereal, or it was probably Count Chocula.

Count Chocula.

Yeah, I. To be honest, I don't think I never had it as a kid. But, you know, A, I always liked vampires, and B, I was a big fan of chocolate.

So it just seemed like the. The natural thing. And I think I've maybe had it Once. But I, I remember the marketing from it as a kid was that's. That got me every time.

Toucan Sam for Fruit Loops.

Fruit Loops, Yep.

Let me think here.

Tony the Tiger.

Tony the Tiger Frosted Flakes for sure.

For Life Cereal, there was Mikey. Oh, Mike likes it. But that was an actual kid.

But now I remember when I tried that Life cereal and I wasn't impressed. And Mikey can have it didn't have.

Enough sugar on it compared to the other stuff.

The original Cap'N Crunch cereal was developed to recall a recipe of brown sugar and butter over rice. I can't imagine that, but that's, that's what, what kind of sparked. It's its creation.

It was one of the first cereals to use oil, an oil coining deliver its flavoring, which required an innovative baking process. And it's made in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the US And Peterborough, Ontario in.

Canada General's factory out there. Yeah, it's. Yeah. The less you talk about the ingredients, the probably the better.

We're not going to talk about the ingredients.

Yeah, let's. Not for those.

No, we're not going to. But let's talk about getting back to the character now. Who is the character for Cap'N Crunch?

It's that Captain. I don't know what his name is, but I, I know his Cap'N Crunch.

And when, when you think about that, that again, I'll. I'll put in the context of a pop culture thing.

What did that do for us as we were kids growing up and, and eating breakfast, getting back to where I started, which is the most important meal of the day. And I just can't imagine breakfast cereal somehow filling that gap, that literal, literal gap that we need to wake up and nourish our bodies again.

Although it's part of it, it's part of the equation. At least that's the marketing.

Yeah. And then the poor kids, you know, eat said bowl of, of high sugar and have the crash right after.

Yeah.

So have their breakfast and then ready for a morning nap.

Well, and I just say that. I'll just put it this way, though.

Who would have thought that the best way to start a day with a simple breakfast cereal, it will actually bring those memories back to life.

But before we get into it, always the thought for the day routines and ruts are nothing but comfort food and healthy diet of change and challenge will get you fit in no time.

That's good. But you gotta balance that meal with a little bit of consistency though.

Yeah. Yes, yes, for sure. So count chocolate. But you. You didn't get that when you were a kid? No.

Wasn't a big cons. Well, I guess my parents wouldn't buy it, but I definitely. That's the one that burnt in my brain is something that I would have liked to have had.

So was there a breakfast cereal that you would often see?

Shreddies Cheerios. Like the, the kind of. The basic ones my boys always got into. The. The big one was obviously Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Their.

Their go to and even, you know, to this day before we left, my one son has a penchant for cereal. So, you know, in the evenings he'd pour himself a bowl and it's like.

What are you doing?

He's like having some cereal. I'm like, okay. Could be eaten at any time of the day. So.

Yeah, it's not. Not just for breakfast anymore. And. And I'll probably do the same sometimes when I just want something sweet and I just.

I'll rationalize it might even be healthy. Bowl of cereal might. Might just do the trick.

Yeah, I tend to. I actually there's a box of Frosted Flakes in the cupboard downstairs. But personally I'm a Raisin Bran guy. I love raisins.

So just so you know, and I don't know why I did it, but they actually have Frosted Brown Flakes now too. It just seems wrong.

Yep. I don't think I'd be lining up for that one.

No, I don't think so either. But that's okay. So let's get back to taping Crunch and breakfast cereal. What was the reason why they. Do you think they came up with the.

These breakfast cereals? And obviously it sucked the kids in to saying, mom and dad, can I. Can we get this? Can we get this? Can we get this?

But there, there was a practical reason for that.

Do tell.

Okay, you think about it. And even.

And it didn't matter whether it was you growing up or your kids growing up or even your grandkids, isn't it convenient just to throw something in a bowl and put milk on it and say, hey, I'm good to go for the day.

100%. Yep. I think it's. Yeah, it's a convenience factor.

And especially with the hustle and bustle, if you've got multiple kids, like in a school day, unless you're getting up at 5am you can't make pancakes and waffles and bacon and stuff.

So it would be the odd time I would make the pancakes and I always make them from scratch anyhow. But you have to really organize your time effectively if you're going to go down that road. For sure.

Yeah. It was anything out of the toaster that's, you know, like whether it's French toast or waffles or whatever.

The boys were always big into and cereal was a. Was a mainstay. We would have on average on any given day, five to six boxes of cereal.

Because a, they're the four boys and you'd never ever see them eat one bowl. Two was usually the standard.

So you're telling me that I get this picture of an. And I'm going to really date myself of that TV series.

The Beverly Phil Billies was where Jethro would eat the corn flakes and he'd have a great big salad bowl full of corn flakes.

Yep. No, that's exactly it. Well, for the. With the boys, it's gut fill. Right? It was. That was the thing. And they were, you know, all very active young men.

So they were. They needed lots of calories. So I think that a little bit of sugary cereal didn't help too bad.

Okay. So, yeah, this. You already know the.

The answer to this question we gotta ask anyhow, but how many different varieties of Cap'N Crunch do you think there are?

I'm gonna say eight.

Eight. Let's see what I've got here. There's probably more though, right? I've got 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Okay. And I'm just.

Okay, so we start with the regular one.

Yeah.

Okay. And these first three, the ones I would have been familiar with as a kid. The other ones, like, I have no idea. I just.

It's almost like I was put in a time in a cryogenic chamber up and all these other Cap'N Crunch came to life. But Cap'N Crunch with Crunch Berries.

Okay.

Heard that peanut butter crunch. Not. Not sure about that one. Oops. All berries pass. Christmas Crunch.

Hard bass.

But. But with the Christmas crunches, to be clear, they get little shapes of like Christmas trees and stuff like that.

I don't know what it is like birthday cake and sprinkles. I'm just not a fan of that. So that's how I would Christmas.

Okay, how about this Halloween Crunch?

I don't know why, but I have a flashback to those. You know, those witch toffees in the orange and black that no one ever ate.

I'm sure there's pumpkins and stuff like that, but yeah, I would have to pass on that one as well. What?

Just a second. Now, I have to tell you that if you get the Halloween Crunch and you put the milk in, it changes color. Okay.

Are you saying that by experience? Like, is this.

Oh, I actually read about that.

Because still, the funny thing about that, if you take blueberries, which are healthy for you, and they'll do anything with them, if you put milk on, guess what? The milk changes color, too. And that's healthy for.

The same must be said about these cereals.

Yeah. Lady, eh? And here's one, too. You might even try this one. Cinnamon Crunch.

Yeah, I think that's. I think with the popularity of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a lot of that flavoring has popped up in. In a wide variety of foods.

So that doesn't surprise me.

Okay. And here's one. And I have no idea because I think it's. It's part of their. Their new marketing. It's. It's called Mystery Crunch. So what. It's.

What it's figured.

Well, that's the thing. What it does is it lets the. I'll say connoisseurs trying Crunch connoisseurs, The Cap'N Crunch connoisseurs. Guess what the flavor is.

Okay. I'm sure somebody will enjoy that.

And then I just try any of those flavors. I tried a little bit of the cotton candy. That's the last one I have in the list. But then Jeanette said, no, you've had enough.

Only one bowl.

I just had a couple my hands just to get the flavor.

Thought it was research.

Yeah, it was just research now. And it wasn't always about the actual.

Cereal, because there was a toy in the box.

There was a toy in the box.

So we're gonna. We're gonna.

Can you. Do you remember what that favorite toy was you got out of that box of cereal? Does that come to light for you at all?

I can't say one in particular, but it's just because they were, you know, they were usually fairly cheaply made in little plastic things or whatever.

But just the joy of hunting for something like that is the same thing with Cracker Jacks and stuff like that that, you know, you would go hunting for the. The toy, even though maybe the food itself might not have been the most exciting part about it.

Yes. And it was. It was always a challenge in our house because I had two brothers and a sister as to who would get the.

The toy, the prize, whatever you want.

To call it, was always, whose turn was it last? Who got it last? You know, back and forth or you.

Just snuck in and just took the toy. Oh, my God. There's no toy in this box.

Yeah. Oh, we got ripped off. Better call the company.

A rare, small, red movable plastic cannon ring. Prototype art in the late 60s. Cap'N Crunch Plastic action toy cannon.

I remember this one because it was a little plastic cannon and actually shot little.

Oh, really?

Yeah. Had a little spring on it and it was. I remember that as a kid. But it wouldn't take long to lose those little cannon built. That's for sure.

Here's one that you're firing them at your siblings.

What's that?

Especially when you're firing them at your siblings.

Yes. A little bit of science with this one. A baking soda submarine and.

Sorry, these are all.

These were all that were in Casting Crunch over the years.

Oh, wow.

Yeah. Like the Good Ship Guppy and I don't know what. So that would dive and surface in water when filled with baking powder or soda.

Sounds like a bath toy to me. But I did.

That's exactly what it sounds like.

Just enough to drive the dog crazy. And.

And then the 80s and 90s, they put more plastic poison figurines in there. They had a PVC figure Captain and SOG Master and Soggies. Blowbot Robux. Oh, here's one. Super squirt water gun.

Okay, so these were just the loose plastic, and you put them underwater, you squeezed it, the water would come in and you just literally.

Yes, I remember those for sure. Yes.

Pink boomerangs. Okay. Cap and Crunch toppers. Figures that fit on the box. Oh, here's one. Scratch and Sniff Sniff mini comic.

Oh, yeah. Back in the 80s when scratch and sniffs were a big thing.

Yes.

Don't remember that toy. But yeah, definitely. There was a great deal of Scratch and Sniff things.

Crazy pennants, pocket iron ons, glow puzzles and animal stamp albums.

Who knew there was that much of a baddie?

Like I'm telling you right now, when I joke about extensive research, I've taken my time looking into Captain Crutch.

I see that.

On topic, but off topic of Cap'N Crunch, how many different cereals do you think there are in the world?

Oh, God, I'm gonna. In the world.

In the world. Yes. I'm gonna say 900, 900.

Just because.

Is that your final guess? You want to my final answer?

Nope, that's. That's where I'll stay. I am sure it's probably much more than that, but given regionality of flavors and.

But I think it's probably a decently high number.

Okay, well, if there's, you know, 10 or 12. Cap'N Crunch.

Wow. Wow, that is crazy, isn't it?

5,000.

Did you see yourself wearing a Tony the Tiger T shirt? No. No. That wouldn't float your boat at all.

Nope, nope, nope. That wouldn't have been high on any of my lists.

Okay, so I've kind of already asked this question a little bit, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna go into detail about the answer. But what do you think that breakfast cereal has done to our history?

Keep in mind that we already talked about the fact that it certainly made things convenient when it came to, let's say, getting the kids ready for school, getting them out the door, making sure they had something in their stomachs so that they could actually sit there and take in that knowledge that we expected them to take it.

So, sorry, how did his breakfast. How has it affected our history?

What has it done to our history?

I don't know.

So you're gonna like.

And I know, I know the business you're in, but you're gonna have a different appreciation of the business you're in when I tell you to the answer to this.

Okay, so breakfast cereal revolutionized history by introducing the concept of convenience food, transforming morning routines from laborious cooking to a quick packaged meal.

Emerging from a late 19th century Health movement against heavy meat, heavy diets, it spurred industrial food manufacturing, mass marketing, and later fortified kid focused nutritional trend.

That makes complete sense when you say it, because I am in that business.

Yeah.

And you think about, and I'm sure you know the history of the company you work for in some form or another, but I'm, I'm sure that the way that your products are packaged, they're done in a way that, that's appealing. The food's no doubt nutritional and there's some strong marketing that that's behind that.

Yeah.

The interesting thing about the products that we make, like, they're, they're French pastries and they're truly designed to replicate artisanal French baking. So they. We pride ourselves on having clean ingredient decks. So we're not a big player on the shelf.

You know, we're more of in store bakery type products. So because they don't last days and days and days with all those kind of artificial things in there.

But you know, when you say how it's revolution revolutionized, you know, the AM day part with it being convenient, you know, you got to look at all the advertising that's done now for the drive throughs with the, you know, handheld breakfast sandwiches, the wraps, the, you know, all of every major fast food chain has a breakfast menu with some sort of handheld bacon and egg, sausage and egg, egg McMuffin, all that sort of stuff. So it's definitely a, a big revenue generator.

And you know, they target the people driving to work and picking it up because maybe they were taking too much time getting their kids out the door. So I got it makes complete sense to me.

Yeah. And, and who would have thought it?

Because when I talk about memories, of course I, I, I've already shared with you the fact that, okay, there was a prize in that, in that cereal box that I had somehow fight for when I was a kid.

But if I take two steps back and, and especially on the weekends where my dad would actually prepare the, the oatmeal or the pancakes and take the time to do it and watch him remember him doing that, there was, there was always a touch of love that went along that how can you put a touch of love in a box of cereal? I don't get.

No, I don't think you can. And you know, back in the olden days, that's all we would do at breakfast was read the back of the cereal box.

There was no phones or anything like that. And you know, that's how you kind of pass that time.

But, but it's funny now that you say that if I, if I take a step back from breakfast cereals per se, the one that got me was Pop Tarts when they first came out. Oh my goodness, it was, they were things of beauty as a kid. And you know, the toaster.

Let me get this straight. Your mom and dad bought you Pop Tarts, but they wouldn't buy you count chocolate?

I don't even know if it's like wouldn't buy me count chocolate. I don't know that I ever verbalized actually saying that. It's probably more of the thing.

But yeah, you know, Pop Tarts were just, they weren't a breakfast staple, but they were like a treat. Oh, I know.

On the weekend, on a Saturday and you know, pulling one of those bad boys out of the toaster and burning your mouth on the hot lava inside. But yeah, it's. Yeah, the breakfast day part is, you know, for restaurants. And that's just like I said, it's the industry I'm in. It's.

It's very competitive and there is a lot of revenue in that channel and all.

All because someone decided to make it convenient for people to make their lives easier. When you think about it, I guess you can draw that analogy with. With cell phones too, right? Because it's for sure make your life easier. I don't.

I. I'm not sure what you lose when you go to that box as you real. Where you would have that sit family breakfast and kind of a meeting of the minds where you would kind of share different things as a family.

Yeah, yeah. And whenever our family sits down, we've talked about this before, there's never a TV on. Just some subtle music to kind of encourage conversation.

And it was always, always enjoyable having dinner with the family.

Oh, Mad Dog. I think I hear that music telling us that this episode's come to an end.

Is that the Cap'N Crunch theme or is it different music?

Well, we never. Rice Krispies in the snap crackle.

Oh, my goodness. Yeah, it's gonna be a slippery slope.

Yeah, it could be slippery slope, but I'm telling you right now that I feel like a box of Rice Krispies when I get up in the morning because my bones, they stop crackling hot. I'm telling you. Maybe we should have made us a breakfast show podcast. I don't know.

Top of the morning to you.

Yeah. So are you gonna run our and get some Cap'N Crunch,now?

I don't think.

Oh, no, no.

That one is a little too short sharp for me. I remember eating that one as a kid. If it didn't, you know, kind of sog you up a little bit. It was like eating rocks.

Okay, I'll give you that, but I'll just. I'll just leave it with this. Remember, the next time you open up a box of your favorite cereal, you're opening up more than a box of cereal.

And think about what we've talked about during this episode.

Well, morning's Raisin Bran. I will think just that.

Oh, California Raisins. Remember those?

I do, heard it through the grapevine.

And those raises landed in the raisin brown too, for sure.

Okay.

I just thought that one just popped in my head. Maddog, I just had to share with the listeners really, really quick.

And we were definitely dating ourselves.

Maybe. But remember to take advantage of the moment before the moment takes advantage of you to learn more about E-Walkabout. Please visit us at e Walkabout.ca.