Wednesday Reviews : Trader Joe's

Happy Wednesday everyone!  I'm back today with a new review, or a few reviews to be more accurate.  Does anyone else love trying all the seasonal foods that grocery stores come out with?  Pumpkin season may be over, but the holiday food and flavors are still streaming in.  Trader Joe's is especially known for seasonal foods, and I wanted to try a few new products and give some reviews.

Turkey and Stuffing Kettle Chips ($1.99)

I bought these originally because I was really curious if these actually tasted like turkey and stuffing.  I'm not normally a fan of potato chips, but I have to say that I loved these!  They really did have that Thanksgiving dinner taste to them, but it wasn't overpowering.  I really liked having these for a snack, and I would recommend giving them a try!
9/10

Fig and Olive Crisps ($3.99)


Raisin and Rosemary Crisps ($3.99)

I'm going to review these together, because I honestly couldn't tell a huge difference between these!  I love the size and texture of the crisps.  They don't fall apart or crumble, and they're a perfect bite sized piece.  They both have a sweet ingredient and savory, and it mixed together so great!  I had a wine and cheese party this year, and I think next time I have one I'll have to get these crisps.  They're perfect for a cheese plate!
10/10

This Fig Walks Into A Bar ($1.99)

I absolutely love this line of cereal bars.  Not only are they cheap, but they taste great and I love grabbing them for a quick meal before long runs.  The fig bar reminds me of a fig newton, but has more of a fig taste.  I really like it!
9/10

This Cranberry Walks Into A Bar ($1.99)

This bar is really similar to the fig, but I don't really get a cranberry flavor.  It reminds me of cherry, and I wish that there was more sourness that I expected from cranberry!  Not a bad bar, but not what I expected. 
7/10

Cranberry Chevre Log ($3.99)

The goat cheese is really smooth and creamy, and the cranberries are really sweet.  The sweetness is a little overpowering since the log is completely covered in berries!   I love the idea of having a flavored goat cheese as an addition to a holiday cheese platter, and there are lots of recipes to make your own.  I used this cheese on the crisps above, as well as with beets for a little salad!
8/10

Harvest Bagel ($2.99)

I absolutely love these bagels!  These are packed full of ingredients, like wheat, flax, rolled oats, millet, buckwheat spelt, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cranberries and raisins.  I used these for sandwiches and they made such a great base for a basic sandwich.  I wish these were offered all year!
10/10

Gingerbread Latte ($2.99)

Every year, I always order lots of Gingerbread lattes from every coffee shop in Pittsburgh.  Gingerbread is my favorite cookie and I love anything with that flavor.  I was SO excited when I saw this product at Trader Joes, especially since I love their Spicy Chai Latte mix.  However, I was really disappointed in this!  I tried it with hot water, hot milk, both of them iced, mixed with creamer- nothing tasted good.  It's bland and doesn't really taste like gingerbread to me, more like watered down coffee.  Unfortunately my search continues for a gingerbread latte mix...
2/10

 What's your favorite seasonal snack right now?
Do you shop at Trader Joe's?  Any favorite products?

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 2, 2015 at 2:12 AM

    You know I love Trader Joe's :) Over the years it has become my main grocery store.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      I thought of you while I was writing this post :)

      Delete
  2. Margaret @ youngandrungryDecember 2, 2015 at 4:37 AM

    I'm so mad Memphis doesn't have a Trader Joes! All this stuff looks so good and I loved that place in college. Sad about the Latte, it sounds really good in theory, but sometimes nothing is as good as a local coffee shop. My favorite seasonal flavor right now is gingerbread and pomegranate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      WHAT?! That's unacceptable! I love pomegranate as well, but I hate how the seeds always get stuck in my teeth :(

      Delete
  3. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For FoodDecember 2, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    I'm so jealous you got to try the Thanksgiving chips. By the time I tried to get them they were sold out. I'm basically obsessed with TJs, so I've tried most of these. Haven't tried the bagels, though, they sound amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:47 AM

      That's too bad!! They were interesting to try, but not a must-try. I would recommend the bagels over the chips actually!

      Delete
  4. UnknownDecember 2, 2015 at 6:20 AM

    Which Pittsburgh coffee shop wins best Gingerbread Latte!? Those crisps sound yummy- good idea to add them to a salad, I'll have to pick them up on my TJ's trip next week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:47 AM

      I think I have to do some more research before I can choose!

      Delete
  5. Elle SeesDecember 2, 2015 at 6:20 AM

    minus that last one, it seems like you had some hits! lots of great seasonal stuff and things for parties.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:47 AM

      Yes!! Lots of great things. I'm rarely disappointed with TJ's

      Delete
  6. Jessie MDecember 2, 2015 at 6:42 AM

    I didn't like TJs for a while, because the only one I could go to was always PACKED. But, there is a new one in North Hills & it's not bad.

    They have a kale & broccoli slaw salad bag, that comes with dressing, and some toppings like dried blueberries & sunflower seeds. It's delicious. I add chicken & eat the whole thing as a meal.

    They're gone now, but during pumpkin season they had pumpkin ice cream & gingerbread cookie mouthfuls. They're mini bite size ice cream sandwiches, and the flavor was great. Apparently they make different ones for each season? But I haven't seen any since the pumpkin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:48 AM

      OMG I completely agree with you!! The one in North Hills changed my shopping life! It's so much nicer and less stressful. Dan would never come in Shadyside with me, but he loves the NH ones! I love that whole area :) I'll have to try that salad next time I'm there!

      Delete
  7. RebeccaDecember 2, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    I wish I could go to Trader Joe's more often. The closest one is about 3 hours away. Whenever I am in close proximity to one, I go all the time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:49 AM

      Ugh that's horrible!! I'm spoiled and have 3 within an hour (one of them being about 2 miles away). I go way too much..

      Delete
  8. UnknownDecember 2, 2015 at 8:21 AM

    Awe, big tease. We don't have Trader Joe's up here. I'm so sad. I do love goat cheese though, and I've never tried it with cranberries. I need to get on that!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amanda @ Exploring Life & ThingsDecember 2, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    I've only been in a Trader Joe's once. I am SO sad we don't have any near us. I've been obsessed with sweet potatoes for awhile and just discovered sweet potato chips (I'm like 5 years behind.. haha).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 9:50 AM

      I've never tried sweet potato chips..what?! I do love sweet potatoes so I might have to find them, or make my own!

      Delete
  10. athletic avocadoDecember 2, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    those harvest bagels are on my to-try list, i love that they are filled with so much goodness! I have been curious about that the gingerbread latte and I wanted to try it but I will trust your judgment! Not worth the money!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 3, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      They're SO good! And yes- stay away from the gingerbread latte! Get the chai instead :)

      Delete
  11. Laura NorrisDecember 2, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    Ooohhh, those bagels look so tasty! I really should get to the Trader Joe's near me - they always have such good food, but it's just enough out of my way that I forget to shop there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 3, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      You should definitely stop in! They have the best snacks :)

      Delete
  12. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeDecember 2, 2015 at 1:12 PM

    how are you not normally a fan of potato chips? girl you cray ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fairytales and FitnessDecember 2, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    We have a coffee shop at our church that has the BEST Gingerbread Lattes!

    ReplyDelete
  14. HoHo RunsDecember 2, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    I love gingerbread lattes! We do not have a Trader Joe's. How cruel is that!

    ReplyDelete
  15. KimDecember 3, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    I LOVE the fig and olive crisps with the cranberry covered goat cheese spread on it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jess @hellotofitDecember 5, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    The cranberry bars are delish! I love Trader Joe's...I don't think I've ever had anything that I didn't like!

    ReplyDelete

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