I love porridge for breakfast, but I've recently started working earlier and I just can't face eating breakfast at 6am, before I leave home. As a result I have been looking for a convenient, quick, easy and satisfying breakfast that I can take to work with me, to eat later in the morning.

I found Quaker Oat So Simple Express Pots in my local Co-Op for 98 pence per 50g pot. I bought the plain version, but they are also available in Golden Syrup and Apple & Blueberry flavours. The pot is made of thin plastic, with a cardboard sleeve around the body of the pot, displaying all the information I would expect to find. On the front the label tells me that I just need to add hot water for 'perfect creamy porridge', and that it will only take 2 minutes. On the back of the label is the list of ingredients, allergy advice, instructions and nutritional information. The lid of the individual pot is made of thin foil, like a yogurt pot, which can be easily peeled back without ripping. On top of this foil lid is a clear plastic top, which clips neatly into place. All the plastic, and the cardboard label, can be recycled.

Quaker Oat So Simple Express Pots really are easy and convenient to make. The label advises that the ingredients should be gently mixed with a spoon first, then add boiling water up to a clear line on the inside of the pot, stir thoroughly for 15 - 30 seconds (I find I need to make a little effort to ensure that all the oats at the bottom of the pot have been thoroughly stirred in), the plastic lid should then be replaced and the pot left to stand for 1 minute. It is then ready to eat after a further quick stir.

This porridge is made of rolled oats, which are much smaller and finer than some of the more coarse traditional steel-cut varieties available, but it still manages to make a hearty porridge. The porridge made from rolled oats is smoother, and with a slightly milder, less obviously oaty taste. It doesn't have the robust, almost nutty, taste that traditional porridge has, but it still manages to deliver a warm, comforting, natural tasting hit to the stomach. The mixture also contains skimmed milk powder, which produces a surprisingly rich and creamy taste, rather than the powdery, synthetic taste that I sometimes associate with powdered milk. The ingredients list also states that sugar is included, however, I can't detect any sweetness, and I find I need to add a little something to sweeten it; usually half a teaspoon of honey, a little chopped banana or a couple of strawberries. I do have a sweet tooth though, so many people may be happy to have it straight. When made according to the instructions it produces a thick porridge, which suits me as I prefer a thicker consistency, for those that like thinner porridge this can be easily achieved by adding a little more water.

As for the appearance, well, what can I say? Its porridge, therefore it looks like slightly greyish lumpy cement, or wallpaper paste. Porridge isn't a beautiful food, but it is truly satisfying, and I don't even think about eating again until lunchtime when I have had an Oat So Simple Express Pot for breakfast. I have a very healthy appetite, and although these pots aren't large, they contain enough for me to feel I have eaten a good breakfast. Each pot provides 187 calories, 2.9g fat and 31.3g carbohydrate. I find these great for breakfast if I have been for a run in the morning, and they would be ideal for anyone watching their weight.

I enjoy the porridge from these Oats So Simple Express Pots, I find it tasty, satisfying, rich, creamy, and it definitely has the comfort factor. Despite this, it is not as flavoursome as traditional steel-cut oats, and probably wouldn't appeal to porridge purists. Despite the convenience, unfortunately, I struggle to justify the price to myself as I know I can buy a big bag of porridge oats for less than a pound it feels wrong to spend nearly as much on one portion. Although I will continue to buy these pots for the convenience they offer when I am having breakfast at work, I will buy them with a slightly guilty feeling, and I will certainly be on the look-out for special offers.