Monday, May 8, 2017

Trader Joe's Raspberry Tart


I'm not sure what makes this a "tart" instead of a "tarte," or even just a "pie." But it's raspberry, so it must be good, right?

I admit my bias: I love raspberries. So I was predisposed to like this--and I did. I ate a third of it on each of three consecutive evenings. Nina didn't even get a bite.


Will I buy it again? 

Yes. Next time I'll give Nina a little itty-bitty sliver before I devour the rest, because I'm generous like that.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


Trader Joe's mannequin challenge

Trader Joe's ranked #2 in Consumer Reports survey of grocery store customers

10 Trader Joe's products never to leave off of your grocery list

5 Trader Joe's hummus flavors ranked

Things I wish I could find at Trader Joe's

Lawsuit says Trader Joe's truffle oil isn't truffle oil

12 simple Trader Joe's meal hacks for new parents

15 Trader Joe's secrets shoppers need to know



Best tweets of the week:






And finally, here's this week's cute cat in a Trader Joe's grocery bag:


A post shared by Revi Mendelsohn 310-838-3056 (@mendelsohngroup) on

Friday, May 5, 2017

Trader Joe's Canneles De Bordeaux


I've procrastinated writing about this product for more than a month after having eaten it, because I couldn't figure out what to say about it. I liked the taste, but the texture was off--more chewy than crispy on the outside.

But I'm not sure I can blame the product, because it may have been a victim of what was then my failing freezer. I suspect it went through several freeze-thaw cycles, and spent at least a week at just-barely-below-freezing-point temperatures. So maybe it would have been better without all of that happening.

To be fair, I should buy it again now that I have a new freezer, and see if the texture problem is resolved. But I didn't really like it enough to bother buying it again. But maybe I would like it more if it weren't damaged by a wonky freezer. You see my dilemma in knowing what to say about it?


Will I buy it again? 

No, I'm afraid you'll just have to try it for yourself.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Trader Joe's Mini 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate Bars


There's nothing special about these bars. But I would readily take them over the one I tried for yesterday's post. I had both in the house at the same time, and for several evenings I had a few bites of each side by side. This one is smoother, milder, and sweeter. Plus, it comes in individually wrapped small bars--which, while causing a bit of concern on the excessive packaging front, does neatly solve the problems of deciding how much to eat at one sitting and what to do with the leftover portion.


Will I buy it again? 

No. I just don't like eating plain dark chocolate enough to keep it around.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Trader Joe's Fair Trade Organic 72% Cacao Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar


What, no "gluten-free" in the name?

This tasted to me like pretty standard--though unquestionably high-quality--dark chocolate. It wasn't nearly as surprising or interesting as the Dark Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Bar.


Will I buy it again? 

No.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Trader Joe's Pepperoni Pizza Mac & Cheese Bowl



There are a lot of inventions that seem so obvious, as soon as you've seen or heard of them, that you can't believe the world was ever without them. The wheel. The abacus. The printing press. A mashup of pepperoni pizza and macaroni and cheese.

What--you've never heard of the last one? Well, now you have. And your life will never be the same. Not only will you eat this and like it, you'll spend the remainder of your mortal years kicking yourself for not being the one to think of it first.

Look, this isn't complicated. Do you like mac & cheese? Do you like pepperoni pizza? If the answer to both of those is "yes," then you'll like this. Period.

My only quibble is, once again, with TJ's claimed portion size. Two servings? Puh-LEEZ! If you can't snarf down this whole thing yourself, then you don't like it enough to bother buying it. And, frankly, I'd have to question whether you deserve to be eating it.


Will I buy it again? 

Yes, but with the giant caveat that you can see coming from a mile away if you're a regular reader. I don't want beef and pork in my diet, at least not in more than tiny quantities. I would be even more enthusiastic about this product, and would buy it ten times as often, if they made it (or a second, alternative version) with a fake-meat pepperoni. As it is, it's so tasty that I'm compelled to add it to my Top Ten list, but actual purchases are going to be rare.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Trader Joe's Cantal Cheese


I had never heard of Cantal cheese until it showed up as Trader Joe's feature cheese of the month.

Wikipedia says it's like cheddar. I disagree completely; it tastes nothing like cheddar to me. I didn't like it at first--too pungent and earthy. But it grew on me with time. I'm not sure if these adjectives are really appropriate, but it feels like a cheese that's not easily likable, and is, well, challenging.


Will I buy it again? 

I don't think so. I'm happy to have another different and previously unknown variety of cheese in my "tried it" folder, but I can't put it on my list of favorites.