Trader Joe's Fat Free Spicy Black Bean Dip

I actually bought this several weeks before the new Chipotle Black Bean Dip, reviewed yesterday, came along, but had not gotten around to trying it. After I found that new one so delectable, I of course pulled its older cousin off of my shelf and dug in, hoping that it would be as good.

And it is--almost. They are very similar. The textures are essentially identical. This one has more heat, as correctly indicated by the cute little pepper temperature gauges on the sides of the jars. But otherwise I'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart. They share approximately the same sweetness and the same degree of vinegar acidity.

I saw a rumor on Twitter that this has been discontinued. I have not investigated that, but it wouldn't surprise me. The two products may be too similar for TJ's to keep them both. That's why I'm pushing this review up in the queue, so that readers can, if they're so inclined, try to buy both and make the comparison themselves. Of course, such rumors about TJ's products often prove to be false, so maybe you'll have years to try both dips. I hope so. I like them both. But if I had to pick just one to keep around, it would be the new chipotle version.


Will I buy it again? 

Just on its own merits, yes. And I liked it enough that I would occasionally pick it over the newer chipotle dip, just for a little variety. But I fear that it won't be around long enough for me to have the choice.