Are you Brand Loyal?

I’ve never liked tangerines. They are too tart for me; therefore, I just avoid them in the grocery store. So when I was visiting at my son’s house, and 3-year old Owen (my grandson) asked for a “Cutie.,” I didn’t know what he was talking about.  

“Over there, Grandma!” he said, pointing to a bowl of “tangerines.”  “That’s a Cutie.”   

I was surprised he liked the tart taste of what I thought were tangerines but started to peel one for him.  Wow!  They peeled so easily!  With Owen’s encouragement to “try one,” I did, and I loved them! (Oh, the wisdom of a 3-year old!)  I looked at the package, and discovered that Cuties are not tangerines at all, but are “clementines.”  (Cutie being the brand name.) I hate to admit it, but I didn’t know the difference between a clementine and a tangerine.  A quick search on Google, and now I do. (What is the difference between clementines, mandarins, and tangerines, if any?) Over the weekend, Owen and I became Cutie partners, eating several a day.

Once home, Cuties went on my Costco list for my trip there the following week.

At Costco, as I was walking down the aisle, I spied them from far away!  Yes!!! Costco had Cuties!  But as I got closer, I saw that the “Cuties” weren’t Cuties after all, but another brand. Hmmmm…. well, they looked the same, felt the same, and said “clementines” on the package, just like the Cutie package did, so I bought them.  

And it’s true. They do taste the same as the Cutie brand. They also peel the same. And with all things equal, I will always buy the better-priced package.

I just wished they were named “Cuties” instead of “Rio King.” 

“Cuties” are, somehow, just sooo much more fun to eat! Do you think it’s the name?

 

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Comments (11)

  1. Karla McCormick

    The “Cuties” are the stack of animals behind the bag. 🙂

    June 9, 2017 at 11:35 am
    • Karen

      Oh! I didn’t notice that! I’ll be sure to check next time I’m at Owen’s house!

      June 9, 2017 at 11:54 am
  2. Vivian

    I learned about Cuties from The Pioneer Woman. Love them!

    June 9, 2017 at 12:01 pm
  3. I love Cuties too! I really love Tangerines, but I never see them anymore. Soooo, cuties are my next go to. I first learned of Cuties from McDonalds Happy Meals. They had them in there for a while. Don’t be sad, probably all brands come from the same farms and packaged differently. Put them in an animal themed basket and you probably won’t know the difference! Thank you for the lesson on different types of Mandarin Oranges (I looked)! Owen is a smart little man!

    June 9, 2017 at 4:18 pm
  4. I love Cuties also, but buying a bag is just to much to eat for me with my IBS-D so would have to give the majority away. 🙁 It’s rare I find them singularly for sale–at least in my area. I love the ‘cuties’ behind the bag also! 🙂

    June 10, 2017 at 8:51 am
  5. Grab them while you can; they are a seasonal item. A staple in our home, I looked at Safeway, Rays, and WINCO, where I was told they are out for the season. COSTCO saved the day! But, for how long???

    June 10, 2017 at 12:06 pm
    • Karen

      Yes! I was surprised (and disappointed) to see that they were a seasonal item! ;(

      June 11, 2017 at 6:09 am
  6. Anita

    When the grandkids come, my husband peels their cuties carefully one strip at a time, so that the strips still connect at one end of the actual fruit; then flips them upside down, and (voila!) each cutie is an octopus! I’m not very good at explaining; but if your grandchildren like to play with their food, this is a way to aid & abet! : )

    June 10, 2017 at 8:00 pm
    • Karen

      Oh my goodness! That sounds adorable! Yes, I can picture it. Now if I can just do it!!! I will definitely try! Thanks for sharing.

      June 11, 2017 at 6:08 am
  7. Diane

    In my area, we also have “Halos” clementines as well as “Cuties.” They both taste the same, but it is my understanding that the Cuties are smaller, as I got the impression from the packaging that this product is aimed towards children! I find more stores carry the Halos, which my family prefers anyway, as we have no small children in the house! I did not realize they are seasonal, though; I will have to take note of that if I start having problems finding them.

    June 11, 2017 at 2:05 pm
    • Karen

      Yes, Diane, I believe you are right. The Cuties are smaller than the ones I just bought. They actually peeled more easily too!

      June 15, 2017 at 6:38 am
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