Here you will find a comparison of Raisin Bran versus Raisin Bran Crunch. After you read this article, we are confident you will know what sets these cereals apart. Ultimately, we hope it helps you decide on the Raisin Bran product that is right for you.
Raisin Bran vs Raisin Brand Crunch
Taste Test
Raisin Bran is a simple but tasty cereal. The toasted bran flakes are decent on their own with a slight sweetness. However, a spoon full of flakes with a few raisins mixed in is what elevates this cereal to the next level. The raisins provide the perfect amount of sweetness without feeling like you are eating an unhealthy kids’ cereal. Kellogg’s doesn’t disappoint with the number of raisins in each box. A downside for some people may be that this cereal gets soggy much quicker than Raisin Bran Crunch.
Raisin Bran Crunch features much sweeter flakes that seem to be glazed with honey or possibly sugar. The raisins are less abundant compared to regular Raisin Bran. That is a good thing because the cereal would likely otherwise be too sweet. The crunchy oat clusters glazed with honey may seem weird but actually work really well as an ingredient. This cereal holds its crunch and remains less soggy than regular Raisin Bran.
Overall, we think Raisin Bran beats out Raisin Bran Crunch in regard to taste. Raisin Bran Crunch was just a bit too sweet for our tastebuds. One of our taste testers stated that it was borderline like a kids’ cereal because of its sweetness. That being said, we realize that many people prefer a sweeter cereal. If you are one of these people and like regular Raisin Bran, we think you might enjoy Raisin Bran Crunch. It truly is a good cereal but we think it falls short of the classic Raisin Bran.
Appearance
Raisin Bran features darker flakes compared to Crunch. It also has a healthy portion of raisins.
You can see the lighter-colored flakes of Raisin Bran Crunch to the right. This cereal has fewer raisins compared to Original Raisin Bran as is noticeable when comparing the two photos. You can also spot a couple of honey-glazed oat clusters on the surface.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts below are for the cereal only without milk added. Of course, the nutrition facts will be different based on the type of milk used (i.e. skim, 2%, whole, almond, soy, etc.).
Overall, there are no significant differences between these cereals. However, Raisin Bran is generally better for you than Raisin Bran Crunch. It has higher fiber and protein. It also has lower sugar content, particularly of note is its lower added sugar.
| **Raisin Bran** | |
| Serving Size | 1 Cup (59g) |
| Calories | 190 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 200mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7g |
| Total Sugars | 17g |
| Inc. Added Sugars | 9g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg 0% |
| Calcium | 20mg 0% |
| Iron | 1.8mg 10% |
| Potassium | 280mg 6% |
| Niacin | 15% |
| Phosphorus | 10% |
| Magnesium | 15% |
| Zinc | 10% |
| Selenium | 10% |
| Copper | 20% |
| Manganese | 80% |
| **Raisin Bran Crunch** | |
| Serving Size | 1 Cup (59g) |
| Calories | 190 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 200mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Total Sugars | 19g |
| Inc. Added Sugars | 13g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg 0% |
| Calcium | 20mg 0% |
| Iron | 1mg 10% |
| Potassium | 280mg 6% |
| Niacin | 15% |
| Phosphorus | 10% |
| Magnesium | 10% |
| Zinc | 10% |
| Copper | 20% |
| Manganese | 60% |
Ingredients
The box of Raisin Bran defines it as “Delicious raisins perfectly balanced with crisp, toasted bran flakes”.
Raisin Bran Crunch is stated to be “Delicious raisins, toasted flakes, & crunchy oat clusters glazed with a touch of golden honey”.
Here are the official ingredients of both cereals:
Raisin Bran – whole grain wheat, raisins, wheat bran, sugar, brown sugar syrup.
Raisin Bran Crunch – whole grain wheat, sugar, rice, raisins, wheat bran, whole grain oats, brown sugar syrup, vegetable glycerin.
Ownership
These cereals are made by Kellogg’s. However, Raisin Bran was not originally invented by the company. Rather, a business called Skinner Manufacturing Company was the first to release its Raisin Bran in 1926 in the United States. Kellogg’s Rasin Bran was released in 1942 and naturally, Skinner attempted to stop its continued sales since they owned the trademark to the name “Raisin-Bran”.
A judge ruled the following which has allowed Kellogg’s (and others like Post) to continue to produce the cereal using the name Rasin Bran:
The name “Raisin-BRAN” could not be appropriated as a trade-mark, because: “A name which is merely descriptive of the ingredients, qualities or characteristics of an article of trade cannot be appropriated as a trademark and the exclusive use of it afforded legal protection. The use of a similar name by another to truthfully describe his own product does not constitute a legal or moral wrong, even if its effect be to cause the public to mistake the origin or ownership of the product.”
Raisin Bran Crunch first hit store shelves in early 1999. Here’s a throwback commercial that purportedly first aired the year Raisin Bran Crunch was introduced.
Poll: Raisin Bran vs. Raisin Bran Crunch
Please vote for your favorite in the poll if you have tried both kinds of cereal.
Sources:
raisinbran.com
Dockter, Mason. “A brief history of a raisin bran conflict”. Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2022-7-21.
