I’ve reviewed Post’s classic Fruity Pebbles cereal, which is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2021, so it’s only fitting that I follow it up with its sister cereal, and somehow also its rival cereal, Cocoa Pebbles.  

October 20th, 1971 was a big day for Post Consumer Brands. It marks the day that they launched two of the most iconic and popular cereals of all time and changed their company forever because of it. Teaming up with Hanna-Barbera to make both The Flintstones cartoon, and the Post cereals even more popular was one of the most genius and innovative moves ever made in the cereal industry. 

Cocoa Pebbles’s box is very similar in design to Fruity Pebbles. It’s one solid base color, in this case a deep brown for the chocolate flavor instead of a bright red, and features the cereal’s logo, a bowl of the cereal, and Fred and Barney from The Flintstones. It’s simple, yet fun, and that really sums up this cereal. 

Both Pebbles are identical in nutrition, packing 140 calories and 12 grams of sugar for every cup. Cocoa Pebbles is gluten-free and lists cocoa as a main ingredient instead of “natural and artificial flavors” like its partner in crime. 

The pieces are a deep brown color, just like on the box, and are a rice base cereal. They are the same tiny, light “pebble” shape we’re familiar with, but have a cocoa. 

Not much to say differently about Cocoa Pebbles that hasn’t already been said about its far superior sibling. The texture is the same. It’s a crisp, light, flaky texture that you would expect, and just like Fruity Pebbles, it goes soggy with milk almost instantly. The flavor is a pleasant chocolatey flavor but isn’t by any means the greatest chocolate cereal of all time. 

Cocoa Pebbles can be most closely compared to Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies cereals, and obviously Fruity Pebbles. If you’ve had a Rice Krispies Cereal, you’re familiar with that light, airy texture and underlying rice flavor that you also get with Pebbles cereals. If you’re familiar with Fruity Pebbles, you know the exact experience and texture of Cocoa. Just know that Fruity Pebbles are vastly superior to Cocoa Pebbles because they are much brighter and fun in every way. 

Normally, I would opt for a chocolatey cereal over a fruity cereal, but in the case of Pebbles, the bright, vibrant flavor, scent, and appearance of Fruity Pebbles makes it easily a better cereal than Cocoa Pebbles. Cocoa isn’t bad by any means, just not special either, and has letdowns. No matter, this cereal is classic and famous for a reason. It’s tasty and a nice start to your morning!