Milk first or cereal first?
November 11, 2011 2:49 PM Subscribe
Milk first or cereal first?
Please, please help me settle this ongoing battle with my spouse once and for all. I'm a cereal first and didn't know that anybody ever did things any differently prior to our cohabitation. My wife is a milk first and staunchly remains committed to that ideology despite my concise, articulate, and flawlessly logical rhetoric trying to help her see the errors of her ways.
Beyond merely providing a data point, if you can articulate why your way is superior to the alternative please feel free to do so. Also, if you have any theories that explain how this schism in breakfast sacrament came to exist, please help inform me.
Please, please help me settle this ongoing battle with my spouse once and for all. I'm a cereal first and didn't know that anybody ever did things any differently prior to our cohabitation. My wife is a milk first and staunchly remains committed to that ideology despite my concise, articulate, and flawlessly logical rhetoric trying to help her see the errors of her ways.
Beyond merely providing a data point, if you can articulate why your way is superior to the alternative please feel free to do so. Also, if you have any theories that explain how this schism in breakfast sacrament came to exist, please help inform me.
If you pour the milk first, the cereal floats on top, resulting in more milk than cereal.
If you pour the cereal first, the milk comes up through the cereal resulting in more cereal than milk.
It's just personal preference.
posted by bleep at 2:53 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
If you pour the cereal first, the milk comes up through the cereal resulting in more cereal than milk.
It's just personal preference.
posted by bleep at 2:53 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'm a cereal-first girl, because there's a higher risk of splashing the other way around.
I honestly haven't ever met a person who does it the other way around, now that I think of it. Does her whole family do this?
posted by SMPA at 2:54 PM on November 11, 2011 [9 favorites]
I honestly haven't ever met a person who does it the other way around, now that I think of it. Does her whole family do this?
posted by SMPA at 2:54 PM on November 11, 2011 [9 favorites]
Your wife is wrong. Cereal first.
There are just some immutable rules in the cosmos, and this is one of them.
As the milk, being a liquid, will find its way into the empty spaces via capillary action, it is just common sense that the cereal element should exist in the bowl first. Otherwise, there is the inevitable “push-down” action as the cereal floats on the top of the milk when added second.
posted by lampshade at 2:54 PM on November 11, 2011 [23 favorites]
There are just some immutable rules in the cosmos, and this is one of them.
As the milk, being a liquid, will find its way into the empty spaces via capillary action, it is just common sense that the cereal element should exist in the bowl first. Otherwise, there is the inevitable “push-down” action as the cereal floats on the top of the milk when added second.
posted by lampshade at 2:54 PM on November 11, 2011 [23 favorites]
Milk. Because when you put in the sugar it's then much easier to mix and saturates the entire liquid.
posted by shivohum at 2:54 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by shivohum at 2:54 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
I prefer milk first because I hate soggy cereal, so I can add it to the milk incrementally, eat a bit, and add more as needed. Always crunchy cereal!
posted by Pomo at 2:55 PM on November 11, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Pomo at 2:55 PM on November 11, 2011 [5 favorites]
Cereal first, for several reasons:
First, I like to see how much cereal is in my bowl, and it's easier to do when it's not floating.
Second, I don't like soggy cereal; adding the milk last lessens the time the cereal is in contact with it, thus preserving the crunchiness longer.
Third, if by some chance I have to move the cereal bowl between adding an ingredient, won't slosh everywhere with just cereal as it would if it contained only milk.
Fourth, it's just against the laws of nature to do it any other way.
posted by jenny76 at 2:56 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
First, I like to see how much cereal is in my bowl, and it's easier to do when it's not floating.
Second, I don't like soggy cereal; adding the milk last lessens the time the cereal is in contact with it, thus preserving the crunchiness longer.
Third, if by some chance I have to move the cereal bowl between adding an ingredient, won't slosh everywhere with just cereal as it would if it contained only milk.
Fourth, it's just against the laws of nature to do it any other way.
posted by jenny76 at 2:56 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
You could pour them in the bowl at the same time.
posted by demiurge at 2:56 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by demiurge at 2:56 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ceereal first THEN milk --- as others say, it makes for less splashing, less floating cereal, less milk usage. Ditto everything lampshade says above, several hundred times!
(I've never in my life even HEARD of anybody doing it milk first!)
posted by easily confused at 2:58 PM on November 11, 2011
(I've never in my life even HEARD of anybody doing it milk first!)
posted by easily confused at 2:58 PM on November 11, 2011
Pomo is correct. Start with milk, add the cereal a little bit at a time so it's never soggy.
Even better: Do this out of a coffee mug. The surface area of milk-to-cereal is smaller, therefore less of it is touching milk and getting soggy. Plus it's just easier to scoop it up that way, you don't have to chase those last 5 cereal bits around the bigger diameter of a bowl. Also- hello, it has a handle. I don't care how many people make fun of me for my odd cereal-eating technique because it is AWESOME!
posted by GastrocNemesis at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Even better: Do this out of a coffee mug. The surface area of milk-to-cereal is smaller, therefore less of it is touching milk and getting soggy. Plus it's just easier to scoop it up that way, you don't have to chase those last 5 cereal bits around the bigger diameter of a bowl. Also- hello, it has a handle. I don't care how many people make fun of me for my odd cereal-eating technique because it is AWESOME!
posted by GastrocNemesis at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cereal first. You don't eat milk, you eat cereal.
posted by oceanjesse at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by oceanjesse at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't like to have milk leftover in my bowl when I'm done with the cereal, so I pour in the cereal first and then add enough milk to wet it without supersaturation.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Do they sell little packs of milk cartons designed for one to pour their cereal in? I think not.
posted by okbye at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [47 favorites]
posted by okbye at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [47 favorites]
I eat my cereal dry, accompanied by a glass of milk I sip from after each mouthful. crunchtastic!
but the rare times I eat them together, cereal first.
posted by changeling at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
but the rare times I eat them together, cereal first.
posted by changeling at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm reminded of Randy's cereal eating habits in Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon:
"World-class cereal-eating is a dance of fine compromises. The giant heaping bowl of sodden cereal, awash in milk, is the mark of the novice. Ideally one wants the bone-dry cereal nuggets and the cryogenic milk to enter the mouth with minimal contact and for the entire reaction between them to take place in the mouth."
Personally I'm not so meticulous, but definitely cereal first.
posted by Lorin at 3:02 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
"World-class cereal-eating is a dance of fine compromises. The giant heaping bowl of sodden cereal, awash in milk, is the mark of the novice. Ideally one wants the bone-dry cereal nuggets and the cryogenic milk to enter the mouth with minimal contact and for the entire reaction between them to take place in the mouth."
Personally I'm not so meticulous, but definitely cereal first.
posted by Lorin at 3:02 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is like that discussion about people who use the toilet and then wipe standing up. Who even knew such madness existed as putting the milk in first? That is simply bizarre.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:05 PM on November 11, 2011 [18 favorites]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:05 PM on November 11, 2011 [18 favorites]
Cereal first, for splash and portioning reasons.
Some people eat cereal in water. Weird.
posted by charmcityblues at 3:06 PM on November 11, 2011
Some people eat cereal in water. Weird.
posted by charmcityblues at 3:06 PM on November 11, 2011
Wasn't there a Far Side cartoon about someone who does it milk first?
posted by Sticherbeast at 3:09 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Sticherbeast at 3:09 PM on November 11, 2011
I am cereal first but my reasoning has not been mentioned above. I do it because the milk goes through the cereal and gets it wet. Mixing post pour is a perilous endeavor. If you pour milk through, you never need to mix.
posted by milqman at 3:11 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by milqman at 3:11 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first, OBVIOUSLY. Your wife is cray-cray. You can get the exact amount of cereal you want (pour too much and you can put the dry cereal back in the box), avoid overflow and splashing, and go to bed at night confident that you pour cereal like a pro.
posted by phunniemee at 3:13 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 3:13 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
I've seen countless commercials showing the cereal first method; same goes for cereal scenes in TV/movies. I can't recall ever seeing milk first on commercials/TV/movies though.
posted by p3t3 at 3:13 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by p3t3 at 3:13 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first, of course. Your wife is kooky. Also, cereal is not soup, in case you were wondering.
By the way I speculate that this has some connection to whether people put the pill in first or the water when swallowing tablets.
This makes no sense. If you do water first, it would dribble out of your mouth when you go to put in the pill.
posted by Specklet at 3:14 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
By the way I speculate that this has some connection to whether people put the pill in first or the water when swallowing tablets.
This makes no sense. If you do water first, it would dribble out of your mouth when you go to put in the pill.
posted by Specklet at 3:14 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
Cereal first, so the milk saturates the top morsels as well as whatever's submerged below the milk line. Then eat the cereal at a relatively quick pace so nothing gets terribly, terribly soggy. And pour out the extra milk, because really, I can't stand milk.
posted by litnerd at 3:15 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by litnerd at 3:15 PM on November 11, 2011
Wasn't there a Far Side cartoon about someone who does it milk first?
Yes! I believe there's a dude sitting at a table with a box of cereal, a carton of milk, and a bowl. And I think there's a note taped to the cereal box that says, "cereal first THEN milk."
posted by phunniemee at 3:16 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes! I believe there's a dude sitting at a table with a box of cereal, a carton of milk, and a bowl. And I think there's a note taped to the cereal box that says, "cereal first THEN milk."
posted by phunniemee at 3:16 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Each person can fix it for themselves however they like.
posted by brujita at 3:17 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by brujita at 3:17 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first, although I was swayed a bit by the "not get soggy" argument until I realized that I've never eaten cereal slow enough for it to get soggy, so that's never been an issue. Maybe I am a pig.
I am more amused at the idea that there are adults who put sugar on cereal?
posted by sageleaf at 3:17 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
I am more amused at the idea that there are adults who put sugar on cereal?
posted by sageleaf at 3:17 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Some people eat cereal in water. Weird.
I was out grocery shopping with my Dad when I was about 10, where we ran across an anglophone guy practically filling his grocery cart with 26 ounce bottles of store-brand pop. The guy explained to my Dad that his son was allergic to milk, so he ate his cereal every morning with a different flavour of pop. I now deeply regret not asking if the pop went in before the cereal, or if the cereal went first. I think the added carbonation of pop would make this a fascinating experiment.
No, I won't try it. Someone else report on this.
Oh, and cereal first, then milk, same as with tea. If it looks as if there might not be enough milk -- and nothing is worse than getting the ratio off -- pour a mini portion of cereal and add just enough milk, repeating as often as needed to reach satiety.
On preview: actually, Specklet, speaking as someone who used to have problems swallowing large pills, the canonical order is drink some water, swallow all or most of it, put in the pill, drink more water.
posted by maudlin at 3:18 PM on November 11, 2011
I was out grocery shopping with my Dad when I was about 10, where we ran across an anglophone guy practically filling his grocery cart with 26 ounce bottles of store-brand pop. The guy explained to my Dad that his son was allergic to milk, so he ate his cereal every morning with a different flavour of pop. I now deeply regret not asking if the pop went in before the cereal, or if the cereal went first. I think the added carbonation of pop would make this a fascinating experiment.
No, I won't try it. Someone else report on this.
Oh, and cereal first, then milk, same as with tea. If it looks as if there might not be enough milk -- and nothing is worse than getting the ratio off -- pour a mini portion of cereal and add just enough milk, repeating as often as needed to reach satiety.
On preview: actually, Specklet, speaking as someone who used to have problems swallowing large pills, the canonical order is drink some water, swallow all or most of it, put in the pill, drink more water.
posted by maudlin at 3:18 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first. Then milk in a glass.
And by cereal I mean whatever food-like substance I find. And by milk I mean scotch.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 3:20 PM on November 11, 2011 [13 favorites]
And by cereal I mean whatever food-like substance I find. And by milk I mean scotch.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 3:20 PM on November 11, 2011 [13 favorites]
She's a witch! Burn her!
...I mean, uh, cereal first.
posted by Jehan at 3:22 PM on November 11, 2011 [8 favorites]
...I mean, uh, cereal first.
posted by Jehan at 3:22 PM on November 11, 2011 [8 favorites]
I wipe, then I stand.
Oh, wrong discussion.
I'm a milk person first, because I hate cereal in cold milk, so I let it sit out on the counter for a few minutes before I pour the cereal in. I know, I'm weird like that.
posted by HeyAllie at 3:24 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oh, wrong discussion.
I'm a milk person first, because I hate cereal in cold milk, so I let it sit out on the counter for a few minutes before I pour the cereal in. I know, I'm weird like that.
posted by HeyAllie at 3:24 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Milk first? This is a thing?
My mind is boggled. I guess if you care more about the milk than the cereal that could work, but still. Cereal isn't supposed to be a suspension!
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 3:24 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
My mind is boggled. I guess if you care more about the milk than the cereal that could work, but still. Cereal isn't supposed to be a suspension!
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 3:24 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm going to change the way I eat cereal after reading this thread. I was always a cereal-firster, because that's just the way it's done. But I don't like much milk in my cereal at all. Going milk-first allows for one to control the ratio much better. If you add the milk to the cereal, you can't really see how much milk is in the bowl until it's too much for my taste.
I just tried it and had the best bowl of cereal I've had all week (and I eat a lot of cereal). So I'm a convert. Your wife's way is better if you don't like a lot of milk in your cereal.
And all the people who eat cereal dry with a glass of milk on the side? You're doing it wrong. Plus, you've got more dirty dishes to contend with.
posted by k8lin at 3:26 PM on November 11, 2011 [4 favorites]
I just tried it and had the best bowl of cereal I've had all week (and I eat a lot of cereal). So I'm a convert. Your wife's way is better if you don't like a lot of milk in your cereal.
And all the people who eat cereal dry with a glass of milk on the side? You're doing it wrong. Plus, you've got more dirty dishes to contend with.
posted by k8lin at 3:26 PM on November 11, 2011 [4 favorites]
Oh my God. You can put the milk in the bowl first?
posted by TheShadowKnows at 3:27 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by TheShadowKnows at 3:27 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first. Otherwise it's just a small layer of breakfast floating over an ocean of milk.
Your wife is mad, and should be locked in a sturdy padded room to protect sane society.
posted by HFSH at 3:28 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Your wife is mad, and should be locked in a sturdy padded room to protect sane society.
posted by HFSH at 3:28 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yogurt second!!!!
Seriously, if you are "milk people" and your wife is putting the cereal in the bowl first, then she needs a complete medical workup. Something is wrong. I don't want to alarm you, but have you considered the possibility that she is not human, perhaps not of this world???
posted by Lesser Shrew at 3:29 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seriously, if you are "milk people" and your wife is putting the cereal in the bowl first, then she needs a complete medical workup. Something is wrong. I don't want to alarm you, but have you considered the possibility that she is not human, perhaps not of this world???
posted by Lesser Shrew at 3:29 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
By the way I speculate that this has some connection to whether people put the pill in first or the water when swallowing tablets.
Okay, you got me. I do milk AND water first! How'd you know?
This makes no sense. If you do water first, it would dribble out of your mouth when you go to put in the pill.
. . . Uh, tip your head backwards as if you were gargling. The miracle of gravity, helping with everyday life!
posted by GastrocNemesis at 3:29 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Okay, you got me. I do milk AND water first! How'd you know?
This makes no sense. If you do water first, it would dribble out of your mouth when you go to put in the pill.
. . . Uh, tip your head backwards as if you were gargling. The miracle of gravity, helping with everyday life!
posted by GastrocNemesis at 3:29 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Cereal first, there is no thinking: Dump cereal, dump milk, enjoy. Milk first, you have to think about how much milk you need, how much cereal, etc.
Just out of curiosity, does she put sauce first, then pasta?
posted by Sys Rq at 3:30 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Just out of curiosity, does she put sauce first, then pasta?
posted by Sys Rq at 3:30 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
I think you're conflating this Far Side with this one. At any rate, Gary Larson would say your wife is wrong.
Eponysterical: What's next, peanut butter and jelly on the outside of the bread?
posted by facetious at 3:30 PM on November 11 [+] [!]
Derail: On preview: actually, Specklet, speaking as someone who used to have problems swallowing large pills, the canonical order is drink some water, swallow all or most of it, put in the pill, drink more water.
Yeahbut that's different than taking a mouthful of water, adding a pill, and then swallowing!
. . . Uh, tip your head backwards as if you were gargling. The miracle of gravity, helping with everyday life!
I was kind of being funny, but if I do this, I choke, can't help it. Heh.
posted by Specklet at 3:40 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Eponysterical: What's next, peanut butter and jelly on the outside of the bread?
posted by facetious at 3:30 PM on November 11 [+] [!]
Derail: On preview: actually, Specklet, speaking as someone who used to have problems swallowing large pills, the canonical order is drink some water, swallow all or most of it, put in the pill, drink more water.
Yeahbut that's different than taking a mouthful of water, adding a pill, and then swallowing!
. . . Uh, tip your head backwards as if you were gargling. The miracle of gravity, helping with everyday life!
I was kind of being funny, but if I do this, I choke, can't help it. Heh.
posted by Specklet at 3:40 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cereal first, then milk.
posted by FishBike at 3:44 PM on November 11, 2011 [10 favorites]
- An empty bowl contains nothing to convert the kinetic energy of the poured milk into heat. The result is milk that retains its kinetic energy but is deflected in a different direction, splashing out of the bowl and onto the table.
- Pouring cereal into a bowl full of milk results in the milk attempting to absorb the kinetic energy of the falling cereal, which it does, but as a low-viscosity liquid in an open-topped container, this results in still more splashing of milk onto the table.
- Depending on the type of cereal, precise control over the dispensed quantity can be difficult. Dry cereal can simply be returned to the box and stored for later re-dispensing. Cereal which has contacted milk must be eaten immediately or discarded. Milk, conversely, always flows smoothly and thus the dispensed quantity can be regulated accurately.
posted by FishBike at 3:44 PM on November 11, 2011 [10 favorites]
I have two kids. One likes hot milk with his cereal, the other likes cold milk with her cereal.
His is 'milk first', because the bowl of milk is nuked in the microwave to warm it up before adding cereal. Hers is 'cereal first' because that way she doesn't leave excess milk behind.
My gut instinct is that cereal first is right, for no scientific or logical reason whatsoever other than it drives me nuts when half a bowl of milk is left behind after the cereal is eaten. It is easier to accurately gauge the amount of milk needed to wet the cereal when it's cereal first.
Then again, the hot milk kid drinks the leftover milk out of the bowl when he thinks I'm not looking...
posted by malibustacey9999 at 3:49 PM on November 11, 2011
His is 'milk first', because the bowl of milk is nuked in the microwave to warm it up before adding cereal. Hers is 'cereal first' because that way she doesn't leave excess milk behind.
My gut instinct is that cereal first is right, for no scientific or logical reason whatsoever other than it drives me nuts when half a bowl of milk is left behind after the cereal is eaten. It is easier to accurately gauge the amount of milk needed to wet the cereal when it's cereal first.
Then again, the hot milk kid drinks the leftover milk out of the bowl when he thinks I'm not looking...
posted by malibustacey9999 at 3:49 PM on November 11, 2011
Problems 1 and 2 in the above comment can be solved by my previously mentioned technique of eating cereal out of a coffee mug! Also, don't forget: it has a handle. Perfect for cereal-eating on the couch, if you're a lazy slob like me. Who loves delicious cereal.
Also, as someone mentioned above I do think eating speed has something to do with it. I don't eat cereal for breakfast, ever. I sit on the couch with my mug of milk and a spoon, box of cereal next to me on the end table, and slowly crunch my way though God knows how much cinnamon toast crunch, I guess however much I can consume during an episode of 30 Rock.
So I guess milk first is the hedonistic way to eat cereal. I'm for it.
posted by GastrocNemesis at 3:51 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, as someone mentioned above I do think eating speed has something to do with it. I don't eat cereal for breakfast, ever. I sit on the couch with my mug of milk and a spoon, box of cereal next to me on the end table, and slowly crunch my way though God knows how much cinnamon toast crunch, I guess however much I can consume during an episode of 30 Rock.
So I guess milk first is the hedonistic way to eat cereal. I'm for it.
posted by GastrocNemesis at 3:51 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cereal first, predominantly for reason number 3 given by fishbike. I judge how much I want to eat by how much cereal I put in, then add the correct quantity of milk
Caveats: I find most cereals a bit too sweet so like a lot of milk (impractical to add cereal to, as it floats) and I like my cereal a little bit chewy from milk absorption, not crunchy.
posted by stillnocturnal at 3:52 PM on November 11, 2011
Caveats: I find most cereals a bit too sweet so like a lot of milk (impractical to add cereal to, as it floats) and I like my cereal a little bit chewy from milk absorption, not crunchy.
posted by stillnocturnal at 3:52 PM on November 11, 2011
cereal first! but I do admit there is something lovely and fun about adding cereal to the leftover milk in the bowl on those mornings when you are eating an overtly sweet and unnatural colored cereal that has left the milk tinged a light blue, green, or even pink and you just can't let the sweetened milk go to waste...!
posted by firei at 3:55 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by firei at 3:55 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first, obviously.
Unless you care more about irritating your breakfast partner than drowning your food, in which case, enjoy your soggy cereal.
Heathens.
posted by Space Kitty at 4:01 PM on November 11, 2011
Unless you care more about irritating your breakfast partner than drowning your food, in which case, enjoy your soggy cereal.
Heathens.
posted by Space Kitty at 4:01 PM on November 11, 2011
Response by poster: Responses from the wife:
Pill, then water.
Pasta, then sauce.
Peanut butter and jelly inside the bread.
Milk first limits sogginess.
posted by jtfowl0 at 4:02 PM on November 11, 2011
Pill, then water.
Pasta, then sauce.
Peanut butter and jelly inside the bread.
Milk first limits sogginess.
posted by jtfowl0 at 4:02 PM on November 11, 2011
I'm with GastrocNemesis. Cereal in a mug is the way to go!
Handle for easy maneuvering, smaller diameter for easier scoopage, and you can refill it by the handful. Stirring will not be a problem if milk is applied first because the cylindrical shape of the mug allows for accurate squooshing. The cereal of the future!
posted by costanza at 4:02 PM on November 11, 2011
Handle for easy maneuvering, smaller diameter for easier scoopage, and you can refill it by the handful. Stirring will not be a problem if milk is applied first because the cylindrical shape of the mug allows for accurate squooshing. The cereal of the future!
posted by costanza at 4:02 PM on November 11, 2011
Milk-first is not a real thing, people don't do that. Countless cereal commercials have cemented this into the public consciousness. I'm calling shenanigans on this question.
posted by rhizome at 4:04 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 4:04 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: And she thinks that she is the only one in her family that does this, and her mother is on record saying that milk first is unnatural.
posted by jtfowl0 at 4:06 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by jtfowl0 at 4:06 PM on November 11, 2011
First, greek yogurt.
Then, frozen blueberries.
Then, cereal.
posted by St. Sorryass at 4:13 PM on November 11, 2011 [5 favorites]
Then, frozen blueberries.
Then, cereal.
posted by St. Sorryass at 4:13 PM on November 11, 2011 [5 favorites]
Oh good lord. Cereal first, then milk poured carefully and slowly, focused on one spot next to the edge of the bowl so that the trajectory of the milk follows the curve of the bowl, down to underneath the cereal. No splash, minimal sogginess.
Where the hell were you people raised? Honestly.
posted by amy lecteur at 4:16 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
Where the hell were you people raised? Honestly.
posted by amy lecteur at 4:16 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
There's certainly nothing ethically or legally wrong with milk first, but it's not normal.
posted by doctor_negative at 4:17 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by doctor_negative at 4:17 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Cereal. Sit. Open the banana from the tip (I can't believe how many people do this wrong). vi(m).
posted by ellenaim at 4:37 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ellenaim at 4:37 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cereal first. Milk first just makes it impossible to judge the necessary proportions of ceral:milk. Similarly, tea or coffee first, then milk; pasta first, then sauce; and pill first, then water.
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 4:43 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 4:43 PM on November 11, 2011
Peanut butter Cap'n Crunch, then a 1:1 mixture of Cafe Bustelo and milk.
posted by Ad hominem at 5:07 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Ad hominem at 5:07 PM on November 11, 2011
I know this will be hard to hear. Cereal first. There is no other possibility.
I would not trust another word out of your wife's mouth from this point on.
DTMFA.
posted by mazola at 5:15 PM on November 11, 2011 [11 favorites]
I would not trust another word out of your wife's mouth from this point on.
DTMFA.
posted by mazola at 5:15 PM on November 11, 2011 [11 favorites]
Cereal first. I do not want to alarm you, but studies have shown that 43% of people who pour milk prior to adding cereal to the bowl have been diagnosed with violent, sociopathic tendencies, as opposed to only 2% of the general population.
As far as the milk goes, I will add more cereal if I have a lot of milk left over after I've had a bowl of cereal, but I often end up pouring some milk down the sink, too. I know that's wasteful. My husband's family, though, used to force their kids to tip up the bowl and drink the milk/cereal sludge all gone.
Tell me that's normal. I mean, that's seriously messed up, right?
Oh, and I made up the sociopathic tendencies thing. But you were buying into it, right? That's because, deep in your soul, you know milk first people are hiding something. Watch your back.
posted by misha at 5:33 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
As far as the milk goes, I will add more cereal if I have a lot of milk left over after I've had a bowl of cereal, but I often end up pouring some milk down the sink, too. I know that's wasteful. My husband's family, though, used to force their kids to tip up the bowl and drink the milk/cereal sludge all gone.
Tell me that's normal. I mean, that's seriously messed up, right?
Oh, and I made up the sociopathic tendencies thing. But you were buying into it, right? That's because, deep in your soul, you know milk first people are hiding something. Watch your back.
posted by misha at 5:33 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
milk firstness should only pertain to tea. milk firsting cereal is freakish and wrong.
posted by elizardbits at 5:47 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 5:47 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
I have witnessed milk first. She started with full bowl of milk, then poured cereal one spoonful of cereal, then ate that portion of cereal. Repeat. She claimed, "It keeps the cereal from being soggy." Her credibility highly suspect after this incident.
My wife and I are cereal first, then milk. We shared a high-five for our solidarity in cereal technique.
posted by photovox at 5:48 PM on November 11, 2011
My wife and I are cereal first, then milk. We shared a high-five for our solidarity in cereal technique.
posted by photovox at 5:48 PM on November 11, 2011
Cereal first. That way the weight of the top cereal holds down the bottom cereal as the milk is poured, keeping it from floating up, and you gauge when to stop pouring by when it's either full or cereal of certain types threatens to fall over the edge. If you do it milk first, the initial cereal floats on top and you have to be careful about how you pour the rest of it in since you're already near the rim. With that said, that's from the perspective of someone who doesn't really know how much milk goes into a bowl of cereal, because I've never poured it in without the cereal already in. I'd probably put too much in and then not be able to get enough cereal in. If your wife knows how much milk is appropriate for a bowl and pours carefully, then it shouldn't matter. Still though, she's whack. I KNOW YOU'RE READING THIS, WIFE! HE JUST BEING NICE WHEN HE SAYS HE LIKES YOUR MOM'S TURKEY! IT'S TOO DRY!
posted by Askr at 6:18 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Askr at 6:18 PM on November 11, 2011
I'd rather put the cereal first and find I don't have enough milk than to have a big bowl of milk and not enough cereal in the box.
posted by sunshinesky at 6:31 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by sunshinesky at 6:31 PM on November 11, 2011
As a bottomless pit of a teenager I would eat cereal like this.
1. Cereal
2. Milk
3. Eat until cereal gone
4. Oh! There's extra milk.
5. Add cereal.
6. Crap! Not enough milk.
7. Add milk.
8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 until full.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:17 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
1. Cereal
2. Milk
3. Eat until cereal gone
4. Oh! There's extra milk.
5. Add cereal.
6. Crap! Not enough milk.
7. Add milk.
8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 until full.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:17 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
The woman does not know whereof she speaks.
Even teh googles agree: CEREAL FIRST.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:20 PM on November 11, 2011
Even teh googles agree: CEREAL FIRST.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:20 PM on November 11, 2011
What the fuck people? How can you not know this? You jam your hand in the freshly opened box of Peanut Butter Crunch, pack them into your mouth, tilt your head back, pour in the milk from right out of the carton, then close your eyes, tongue and masticate gently, and you taste god.
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:46 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:46 PM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Uhm, cereal first?.... I had no idea anyone ever put milk in the bowl first. Does she butter her bread before she toasts it, too?
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 8:11 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 8:11 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cereal first. Milk second. As I see it, you probably know about how much cereal you want. The variety of cereal (some soak up the milk quicker than others and require more milk.. others might get too wet and lose desired texture if you add too much milk) as well as the amount you put in your dish will have some bearing over how much milk you use. You might not use the same amount of milk every time. Too much milk can ruin a bowl. It just makes more sense, though I wouldn't fight someone over their odd food quirks. Same thing with dunking foods. I have my reasons for how I eat, but there's room at the table for other people doing weird things on their own plate!
posted by Mael Oui at 8:40 PM on November 11, 2011
posted by Mael Oui at 8:40 PM on November 11, 2011
@seanmpuckett - Wouldn't that give you an incredibly painful case of Cap'n Mouth? That's worse than scalding the roof of your mouth on soup and then having a Toblerone for dessert!
posted by Mael Oui at 8:48 PM on November 11, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Mael Oui at 8:48 PM on November 11, 2011 [5 favorites]
In the distant future, interplanetary wars are going to be fought over this.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 11:30 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by obiwanwasabi at 11:30 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
I don't understand you people.
1. Bowl of ice cold milk.
2. Layer of Rice Krispies/Cheerios/Crispix so you can't see the milk.
3. Scarf the deliciously crunchy cereal.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until full or out of milk.
Of course, any other cereal is considered 'snack cereal' and eaten straight out of the box with a carton of milk nearby.
Heathens, indeed.
I'm also a water, then pill person. Pills taste nasty, why would anyone risk having to taste a dissolving pill?!
posted by ApathyGirl at 11:37 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
1. Bowl of ice cold milk.
2. Layer of Rice Krispies/Cheerios/Crispix so you can't see the milk.
3. Scarf the deliciously crunchy cereal.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until full or out of milk.
Of course, any other cereal is considered 'snack cereal' and eaten straight out of the box with a carton of milk nearby.
Heathens, indeed.
I'm also a water, then pill person. Pills taste nasty, why would anyone risk having to taste a dissolving pill?!
posted by ApathyGirl at 11:37 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]
I love Pomo's answer. I have always been a cereal first person, but I've been converted thanks to this thread. Thanks AskMeFi!
posted by marsha56 at 2:32 AM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by marsha56 at 2:32 AM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
I suppose I could put the milk in first... but I'm not gonna. It's just wrong. I'm surprised your wife hasn't received a citation from The Universal Committee For The Prevention of Doing it Rong.
posted by sonika at 4:06 AM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by sonika at 4:06 AM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
I used to do cereal first, then got sad by how soggy my cereal got and tried milk first, and have never looked back since then. All you "cereal first" spokespeople don't know what you're missing. I pity you.
posted by onlyconnect at 5:55 AM on November 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by onlyconnect at 5:55 AM on November 12, 2011 [3 favorites]
Cereal first, of course, as god intended.
Of course, I also put my clothes in the washing machine first, then fill it with water. Which runs counter to the instructions on the detergent container. It's true. Check it out.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:07 AM on November 12, 2011
Of course, I also put my clothes in the washing machine first, then fill it with water. Which runs counter to the instructions on the detergent container. It's true. Check it out.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:07 AM on November 12, 2011
I put the cereal first, then splash milk over it evenly to get all the kernels wet, but not so much that the cereal starts to float. Ideally then all the cereal is moist, but never starts floating in milk, getting soggy.
I do, however put yogurt in first (and other yogurt like substances, such as skyr and kefir) and then mix the cereal into the yogurt.
posted by Kattullus at 7:08 AM on November 12, 2011
I do, however put yogurt in first (and other yogurt like substances, such as skyr and kefir) and then mix the cereal into the yogurt.
posted by Kattullus at 7:08 AM on November 12, 2011
My eccentric father put orange juice on his Cheerios. But at least he did it in the proper order: Cereal first.
posted by fivesavagepalms at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2011
posted by fivesavagepalms at 9:09 AM on November 12, 2011
1. Bowl of ice cold milk.
2. Layer of Rice Krispies/Cheerios/Crispix so you can't see the milk.
3. Scarf the deliciously crunchy cereal.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until full or out of milk.
Why?
posted by Sys Rq at 9:51 AM on November 12, 2011
2. Layer of Rice Krispies/Cheerios/Crispix so you can't see the milk.
3. Scarf the deliciously crunchy cereal.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 until full or out of milk.
Why?
posted by Sys Rq at 9:51 AM on November 12, 2011
Response by poster: I love Pomo's answer. I have always been a cereal first person, but I've been converted thanks to this thread. Thanks AskMeFi!
NOOOOOOOO!!
posted by jtfowl0 at 11:09 AM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
NOOOOOOOO!!
posted by jtfowl0 at 11:09 AM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
People, people! There have been a lot of harsh words spoken here today, but I have the answer to this deeply divisive problem.
(Note, I have no connection to this product--I ran across it in a blog I follow just now. Ain't synchronicity grand?)
posted by thebrokedown at 1:00 PM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
(Note, I have no connection to this product--I ran across it in a blog I follow just now. Ain't synchronicity grand?)
posted by thebrokedown at 1:00 PM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
To the peoples worried about soggy cereal: what is taking you so long to eat the cereal that it becomes soggy? Step-up the pace and eat faster. Gosh!
posted by deborah at 3:17 PM on November 12, 2011
posted by deborah at 3:17 PM on November 12, 2011
Cereal first, obviously. The cereal is the main event; the milk is the dressing.
posted by Decani at 4:59 PM on November 12, 2011
posted by Decani at 4:59 PM on November 12, 2011
Peanut Butter Crunch doesn't require a built-up layer of scar tissue to orally deploy dry. One of the many reasons it is superior to the original Cap'n. Hold fast, matey -- scoop, swig, swoon.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:08 PM on November 12, 2011
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:08 PM on November 12, 2011
There's nothing inherently wrong with milk-first. I think it's patently obvious that people are biologically wired this way, they didn't choose to be milk-first any more than you chose to be cereal-first. I mean, with so much pressure and persecution from society, who in their right mind would choose to pour the milk before the cereal? Sure, I tried milk-first once or twice in college but have identified cereal-first ever since. But just because my next door neighbor likes his Loops a little Frooty-er than me, in no way does this threaten the strength of my relationship to breakfast.
It's called tolerance people, check it out.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:13 PM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
It's called tolerance people, check it out.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:13 PM on November 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Milk first and not ashamed of it. I don't understand why all you cereal-first people assume we start out with a huge bowl of milk, and then add cereal to the point where the bowl is overflowing. That's crazy talk. It doesn't work like that! The whole purpose of milk-first is to CONTROL THE QUANTITY OF MILK! I'm not a big fan of milk. So when I put the milk first, I know exactly how much I'm getting. About 1/3 of a bowl is all I need. Bonus: non-soggy cereal. Win all around.
posted by yawper at 8:26 PM on November 12, 2011
posted by yawper at 8:26 PM on November 12, 2011
So when I put the milk first, I know exactly how much I'm getting.
But you don't know relative to the amount of cereal, which is the crucial calculation.
posted by Sys Rq at 12:36 PM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
But you don't know relative to the amount of cereal, which is the crucial calculation.
posted by Sys Rq at 12:36 PM on November 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cereal first. Milk was clearly DESIGNED to fill in the cereal gaps. Geeze, read your Bible.
posted by MsMolly at 3:50 PM on November 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by MsMolly at 3:50 PM on November 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
Cereal first? Milk first? I can't decide...
If only there were an easy way to eat breakfast...
Introducing the Obol—the Never-Soggy Cereal Bowl!
posted by blueberry at 11:50 AM on November 14, 2011
If only there were an easy way to eat breakfast...
Introducing the Obol—the Never-Soggy Cereal Bowl!
posted by blueberry at 11:50 AM on November 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by thewestinggame at 2:51 PM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]