The crisp air rolls in, and the leaves begin turning vibrant shades of burnt orange and maroon. This can only mean one thing. The Trader Joe’s fall lineup is back! To save you the stress, we taste-tested a couple of foods to discover which ones are worth it and which ones you should steer clear of.
- Petite Pumpkin Spiced Cookies:
These mini cookies were the perfect, cute, bite-sized snack. They are shaped as little pumpkins, orange and white, making them the perfect festive snack. Upon opening the box, our noses were met with the perfect aroma of pumpkin and spices. Once we bit into it, our mouths were met with an amazing mix of crunch and pumpkin flavoring. Most pumpkin cookies are either too soft or taste bland, but these cookies are the exception. They definitely ate, so run to Trader Joe’s before these cookies are gone.
- Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese:
At first glance, butternut squash mixed with mac & cheese does not seem like the most appetizing meal, but after a taste test, it was quickly discovered that it tastes nothing like the vegetable butternut squash. Both Caroline and Anjali think that the seasonal butternut squash mac & cheese tasted good.
- Organic Maple Butter:
This rich, smooth, creamy butter is the perfect blend of fall in a jar. Made organically with only one ingredient of maple syrup, it is also healthy. On a chilly fall morning, it would pair perfectly with a piece of toasted sourdough bread from Trader Joe’s. Although it wasn’t Anjali’s favourite, Caroline loved it. This spread is debatable.
- Maple Sea Salt Kettle Popcorn:
The Maple Sea Salt Popcorn promised a pop of sweet flavoring mixed with the saltiness of the popcorn, but this was not exactly delivered. Don’t get us wrong, the popcorn was great, light, crunchy, and well popped, but the maple flavoring was too faint, making it taste mostly like regular popcorn. This is a great snack if you want a salty crunch, but don’t expect any maple. The maple flavoring just wasn’t there, but the popcorn was not bad; therefore, we would rate this debatable.
- Spiced Cider:
The true taste of the autumn season can’t come from anything except the Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider. The spiced apple flavouring makes this drink a classic; it can taste good cold with ice or heated up in a mug. Whether you drink it in September, October, or November, this drink will satisfy your taste buds and put you in the fall mood. Both Caroline and Anjali would rate this a 10/10 and say this ate.
- Pumpkin Recipe Dog Treats:
If you are looking for a jaw-breaking experience, this is the cookie for you. These pumpkin-shaped cookies looked delicious, but after trying them, Caroline and Anjali figured out that the cookies were way too firm. They tried to bite into the cookie, but it almost broke their jaw. Upon further investigation, they realized the cookies were actually dog treats. They gave the treats to Dempsey, Caroline’s dog, who greedily enjoyed the treats. Caroline and Anjali hated these cookies, but Dempsey loved them, so we would rate this debatable.
As the weather starts to cool down, some of the best treats stack the shelves of Trader Joe’s. From sweets like the Maple Butter or Pumpkin Spiced Cookies, to savory snacks like the maple sea salt popcorn or the butternut squash mac and cheese, there is no shortage of fall flavor. Don’t forget the festive spiced cider, a true standout. Whether you are looking for something sweet, savory, or seasonal, Trader Joe’s has something for everyone – even your dog.
