Comments on: Grape-Nuts

By: The Last Appetite » US Department of Defense: The Best Brewers in South Korea

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:56:23 +0000

[...] When I was doing a little research on Grape Nuts for a previous blog post, I came across a rumour that during the Gulf War, US Armed Forces went a little crazy for the Nuts. While I couldn’t find anyone to confirm it with, Grape Nuts make a serviceable substitute for malt when attempting to brew beer under desperate lager-free combat circumstances. The Gulf being both a beer- and malt-free environment, bored soldiers stationed in the endless desert ordered and consumed tons of Grape Nuts. Yeast can be collected from either the air, sourdough-style; or fermented from bread. To substitute for hops, you would need a bittering agent of any description. Mix it all together with water in a clean jerry can with a makeshift airlock and in a few weeks it would make for a grisly ale, but ale nonetheless. Armies do not tend to be valued for their brewing prowess but their ingenuity cannot be faulted, which is why Dragon Hill Amber Ale is such a brilliant display of nonconformity to character. [...]

By: Robyn

Robyn — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 05:53:02 +0000

Phil, this is where companies like Kellog’s really need the advice of seasoned Asia food hands like you and I – at $10,000 a pop, of course. Seriously, Asians of Chinese descent generally prefer not to to take *anything* cold, breakfast cereal to water, because it’s not good for the body (when you’ve got a fever, drink a mug of boiling water!). I love SE Asian countries because the locals appreciate the value of a COLD beer (not always the case in China). But cold breakfasts? I can’t think of a one. Even cold noodles aren’t really ice cold, except in Japan.

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 05:07:23 +0000

Robyn, BBC News had an article marginally about the lack of acceptance of cereal in Asia last month. Apparently Kellogg’s is on an acquisition spree.

“People [in Asia] tend to reject cold breakfast or milk,” said Hans Shin, president of Kellogg’s Asia.

Subsequently the firm is considering developing cereal bars and hot cereals as well as whole-grain cereal, to respond to demands for healthier food from an ageing population.

Kellogg’s dominates around 40% of the world cereal market and almost half of the market in Asia, but Asia still represents a mere 2% of its total sales.

There’s a couple of Chinese brands of porridge floating around, which seems to be marketed (at least from the packaging) as a hot breakfast drink. I’ve seen a few cans of “Instant Congee” but it looks fairly scary compared to the real thing. I’m sure that the last one I came across was “Preserved Muscle” flavour.

Apart from a few cold noodle dishes, I can’t think of a cold Asian breakfast (at least where “lukewarm” doesn’t count), but I’m sure I’ve missed something obvious.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:39:20 +0000

Er, I meant no offense taken.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:39:02 +0000

Michael, no offense intended. Though I am sane and food-oriented.
Actually Grape Nuts are beside the point because the only American breakfast cereal truly worth the milk it’s eaten with is Cheerios. Cheerios rule.

On the topic, have you found, as I have, that Asians consider a breakfast of grains and cold milk to be extremely bizarre?

By: DJK

DJK — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:54:20 +0000

Grape-nuts…neither a grape, nor a nut. Reminds me of the titmouse, which is actually a bird. You can’t trust either! Great post!

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 08:10:53 +0000

Phil, this entry was absolutely hilarious (laugh-out-loud in the office and make excuses funny)…. and right on the mark to boot. Grape-Nuts is a horrible mockery of breakfast cereal, and I cannot possibly understand why any normally sane, food-oriented person (sorry, Robyn) would eat the stuff.

And in re: your comment above, I actually find the stuff to be too sweet. Then again, I picked up the Shredded Wheat from the Lucky special discounts section, so I’m not sure what that says about me (except that I like Shredded Wheat with my muesli).

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:28:57 +0000

I probably should have mentioned that compared to most American breakfast cereals, Grape-Nuts would rate fairly well because their largest component is cereal rather than marshmallows or corn syrup. I’m not sure whether you’re crazy, Robyn, or just a glutton for punishment.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 03:57:47 +0000

Eull (sp?) Gibbens would be so disappointed in you. Call me crazy, but I love a bowl of grapenuts in the a.m. !