v3: this is probably the peak of my oatmeal obsession.

Blame this post on @BColmer. And my over abundant enthusiasm for oatmeal.

This question came up at work today:

If you’re going to eat oatmeal, is there a significant qualitative different between the $3 oatmeal you get at The Green Monster and the $16 oatmeal you get a someplace like Luce?

It’s a fair question. Let’s look at some pictures and see.

First, $3 oatmeal from Starbucks (courtesy of @ramarnat):

$3 Oatmeal from The Green Monster

It’s not bad, but I have to admit it’s been inconsistent. I **really** like the nuts they include. A nice touch.

Now let’s go to the $16 oatmeal from Luce:

Oatmeal from Luce

I think it’s clear there’s a difference. The Luce oatmeal definitely looks better and I can tell you for fact it tastes better. And it’s not just a reflection of the bowl or the flower — the oatmeal is better, the berries are fresh — it’s awesome.

But is there a middle ground? I think so. Consider if you will the middle ground of making good steel cut oatmeal at home. If you don’t buy the Whole Foods McCann’s Irish Oats tin at Whole Foods for $7.99 (incidentally, the exact same tin can be bought at Trader Joe’s for $4.99) and you have 15 minutes you can make some damn good oatmeal at home.

Oatmeal Update: apple & brown sugar.

Yeah — that’s Trader Joe’s quick cook steel cut oatmeal, dark brown sugar and apples. Total cost would have been about $1. Do I have any more pictures? Why funny you should ask — of course I do!

The Oatmeal Chronicles Morning Porridge Report

The astute among you may have noticed that the last picture — that’s not TJ’s quick cook — that’s McCann’s Quick Cook. I know — I should have warned you.

What about instant at home? When I only have 4 minutes, and not 15 (or, like right now, I’m out of the quick cook), I like Kirkland Signature Organic Instant myself. You can nuke some frozen berries and pile them on and BOY OH BOY are they good.

Do I have a picture of that…. surprisingly, no, I don’t.

My verdict: yes, there is a difference between $3 oatmeal and $16 oatmeal. However, in general, my strong preference is to eat the oatmeal I prepare myself at home.

The end.