Emerald Breakfast on the Go Nut & Granola Mix (Chocolate Cherry Blend) Review

The Chocolate Cherry Blend of Emerald Breakfast on the Go Nut & Granola Mix contains roasted peanuts, cherry-flavored dried cranberries, granola clusters, milk chocolate candies and coca roast almonds. As I had already tried another variety of Emerald Breakfast on the Go - the Breakfast Blend (Review) - I was already prepared NOT to try having this for breakfast on the go, and instead, it was treated as just a light after-workout snack.

When you think of it that way, then you don't expect it to be too filling, and indeed it wasn't. A 51 gram pouch of mostly granola, just isn't enough to satisfy anything more than a child's snacking needs - and actually, it works beautifully for that purpose. As for the taste, I loved the smoky Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds (Review), but wish there was more - and the cherry-flavored cranberries were like sweet chewy nuggets, which provided a nice contrast to all the crunchiness of the granola and nuts (I have no clue why they didn't just call this variety "Chocolate Cranberry Blend" and forget all this cherry-flavored stuff). I also liked that the granola were in big clusters, which meant you could get a little bit of everything in a mouthful.

Emerald Breakfast on the Go Nut & Granola Mix (Breakfast Blend) Review

The Breakfast Blend Emerald Breakfast on the Go Nut & Granola Mix contains vanilla yogurt raisins, dried sweetened cranberries, apple cinnamon glazed walnuts & almonds, granola and dried apple pieces, all in a small packet (51 grams). Now, just looking at a pack, I was pretty skeptical that this would make a "filling" breakfast - no doubt if I eat it in the morning, I can call anything breakfast - but would it sustain me for any significant period of time is what was really on my mind.

Clearly, the answer is no way. I feel like the name "Breakfast to Go" is unfortunate. If anybody eats this for breakfast, then their morning hunger will not be satisfied - this will simply be a wasted 210 calories and 13% of the daily value for total fat - not to mention 25 grams of sugars. The mix was a little too sweet for me - I could have done without the yogurt raisins (which is made with partially hydrogenated oils), and used more almonds instead. Plus, it's like there is a sugar glaze over everything except the granola. Added to plain (unsweetened) oatmeal and you have a winning combination; jazz up a boring salad with this - yes; take it with you the next time you're headed out for a long hike - sure. But eat it as an on the go breakfast - no way!

Each 51 gram pouch of Emerald Breakfast on the Go Breakfast Blend provides 210 calories from 8 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of which is saturated (11% and 13% of the daily value), 85 mg of sodium (4% of the DV), 3 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and 25 grams of sugars.

Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds Review

Chocolate & Almonds is a stellar combo that seems to be making a takeover bid for the title of "Most Popular Desert Combo", from the reigning champions, Chocolate & Peanut Butter. Seriously, just check out our reviews of Almondina Choconut Almond Cookies and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Chocolate Almond Milk) to see how delicious this sweet & nutty combo truly is. Or you can simply just keep on reading!

I found 100 calorie packs of Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds at Target tonight and could not pass them up (I have had great experience with flavored almonds). I decided that $2.79 for (7) 18 gram baggies of dark chocolate nutty goodness was well worth every penny. Was I correct?

You bet your bottom dollar I was! The second you open your flavor-packed pouch, the aroma of dark cocoa powder consumes all of the air in at least a 2 foot radius around you. You almost wouldn't have to eat them to get your chocolate fix (however, I wouldn't go that far because you would really be missing out). The crunchy, smooth, nutty almond base is the star of the show with the dusting of cocoa offering a subtle chocolate essence (the smell is what really makes these little gems so superior). Furthermore, after consuming your special treat, you will possess a chocolate satisfaction without having to go through the sugar roller-coaster that many sugary treats take you on.