Will this autumn be the one where Trader Joe’s “fall”s short?
Juliet Swimmer, Staff Writer
The yearly hype of Trader Joes’ fall treats has now commenced. Annually, Trader Joe’s yummy and affordable delicacies draw the attention of many customers. From the mouth watering Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites, the Chocolate Hummus and of course, the Instagram-able sheet cakes, Trader Joe’s has it down in the snack department. The fall versions of their beloved snacks are no exception.
Pumpkin Loaf- 2.5/5
I gravitated towards this recipe due to its simplicity; you only need eggs, oil, water and the mix provided. Having loved Trader Joe’s boxed mixes in the past, I was extremely excited for this Pumpkin Loaf. But my optimism was short-lived. I followed the directions on the box but the loaf was burnt and overdone. Although the texture was quite poor due to overbaking, I was still able to taste the flavor where it was evident. The weak flavor and dry texture made this not as pleasant as I envisioned. I must admit, my family thoroughly enjoyed this treat and I was not spared much to taste. However, it was not my cup of tea.
Pumpkin Ice Cream- 2.5/5 stars
Every fall, this item receives the attention of many avid Trader Joe’s seasonal treat lovers and my expectations were soaring. But after just two bites of the Pumpkin Ice Cream, I was severely underwhelmed and discontented. It tasted of raw pumpkin combined with store bought vanilla ice cream. Furthermore, the hallmark spices of fall—nutmeg, cinnamon, clove—were not present. The smooth texture, though, brought the overall pleasure of the ice cream up. All things considered, I was disappointed by this item.
Pumpkin Flavored Joe Joe’s- 3/5 stars
The rough beginning of the review left me wanting a treat I loved. The time had come for Pumpkin Flavored Joe Joe’s. Similar to Oreos, these treats are pumpkin flavored cookies with pumpkin filling inside. Year round, you can find a greatly popular, similar treat, Trader Joe’s Slims. At first, I simply did not enjoy these. The cookie didn’t taste like pumpkin and the cream filling had very little fall spice. However, the more cookies I indulged in, the more I enjoyed them. The taste became balanced and like a sweet bite of fall. Still, the initial taste did not go unforgotten and left me not as delighted as I anticipated.
Pumpkin Spice Teeny Tiny Pretzels- 4/5 stars
Next, we have the Pumpkin Spice Teeny Tiny Pretzels. During other seasons, these pretzels can be found dipped in yogurt or chocolate; during the fall, they are dipped in fall spiced sweet yogurt leaving a smooth coating and a crunchy inside. The spiced pumpkin-y tang of these pretzels left me wanting more. The contrast between the saltiness of the pretzel with the sweet, warm pumpkin flavoring provided a nice juxtaposition. Overall, I enjoyed the simplicity of this treat with the important added bonus of being able to eat several in one sitting. The only thing that took a star away was the lack of spices. Though they were evident, they were not strong enough. I felt the flavor was a little lackluster and not fully giving me fall.
Pumpkin Bisque- 5/5 stars
Following the pretzels, I needed a palate cleanser. This led me to the Pumpkin Bisque. This rich, smooth yet coarse burst of pumpkin was a delight. The flavor was mostly pumpkin with hints of onion, apple cider vinegar and honey, making me feel as if I was jumping into a pile of leaves and feeling the warmth of orange hues surrounding me. Just to establish my credibility, I would consider myself a soup connoisseur, especially of the Trader Joe’s variety; this bisque did not disappoint and satisfied my desire for a body warming boost into fall.