Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
The pros: Monteli Organic Pizza Crusts are organic, frozen, reasonably sized for 1-2 people per pizza, delicious too.
The cons: This is way over packaged with plastic. Mine weren’t frozen flat so adorning this pizza was slightly more challenging.
The verdict: …
So, Trader Joe’s is many things, but basic is not one of them. One or perhaps two blueberry varieties are common. Usually an organic and an non-organic variety is pretty standard for most grocery stores. Trader Joe’s frozen blueberries come in four different varieties at four different price points.
So unlike most reviews where I look at a single product , I’ll go through what to expect from this line of frozen blueberries.
…
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Italian Artisan Pasta Gigli is one of three new pastas that are organic and artisan.
The cons: This is a premium priced pasta, but is still affordable. A few pasta pieces lost their cool shape.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Rainbow Cauliflower is new and adds to a growing list of cauliflower products. This is a solid choice if you are looking for a side.
The cons: While cauliflower may help you feel full, there doesn’t seem to be much fiber in this stuff.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Italian Artisan Pasta Orecchiette is one of three new pastas on Trader Joe’s shelves. All three are labeled as organic and kosher.
The cons: Mine took closer to 18 minutes to reach an al dente texture. Be sure to test before draining these.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Midnight Moo is chocolate syrup that is good for sundaes or making chocolate milk (whatever your definition of “milk” happens to be) or any dessert that you can think og.
The cons: This was a previously discontinued item. It would be nice to see this on the shelves on a regular basis.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend is a tasty blend, especially if you aren’t terrible creative with your morning smoothie.
The cons: The bag should be resealable. The picture on the bag isn’t the most accurate representation of the product. The bananas were not nearly as pretty as they were on the bag and when did strawberries become a “tropical” fruit?
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Cranberry Spiced Apple Kombucha adds to a growing line of popular Kombucha products.
The cons: Kombucha is a bit of an acquired taste. This does have a smidgen of alcohol in it, so if you are avoiding it, please be aware.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Honey Processed Organic Nicaraguan Coffee is new and a mild medium brew.
The cons: If you were hoping for a coffee that does not require some sugar, then you might be disappointed. But the bag does explain the whole “honey processed” name.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Peppermint Cinnamon Tea will seem like a slight odd if not unpleasant flavor combination, but some how these two play nicely together.
The cons: Some of my tea bags had some issues. I had a few stray tea leaves floating outside the bag.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Fair Trade Cacao Powder is new to shelves as is Trader Joe’s Maca Powder. This is rich and has solid chocolate flavor.
The cons: Nothing really stands out.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Frosted Strawberry Toaster Pastries are super fresh tasting and do taste like real fruit.
The cons: Some people prefer their toaster pastries without frosting (which is not available at Trader Joe’s) and some people will prefer the thick coating of a Pop Tart.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Frosted Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Toaster Pastries are Trader Joe’s answer to Pop Tarts.
The cons: They don’t quite live up to the originals they are trying to replicate.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Lemon Ginger Flavored Water is organic, flavorful, and refreshing.
The cons: While the flavors in Trader Joe’s Lemon Ginger Flavored Water say natural, they are actually extracts.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Sugar is kosher, organic, and tasty. There are some noticeable differences between regular sugar and organic. It comes in a bag that can be resealed.
The cons: Organic sugar comes at a premium price. The last time I was at Costco, sugar (in a much larger and non organic package was about $0.40 cents per pound). This is about triple the price per pound.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Mango Lemonade is a delicate and successful balance of sweet, acidic, and tangy. As an added bonus it happens to be organic.
The cons: Nothing really jumps out.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes are very quick to make and you get to eat a bunch of these teeny tiny pancakes in one serving.
The cons: As always, it’s cheaper to make your own than to have them pre-made in a box.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Jalapeno Limeade was the hottest beverage I’ve ever tasted. This doesn’t fail at bringing the spice.
The cons: This is a product that is not intended for everyone to enjoy. I have a feeling the reviews for this product will be all over the place. In fact, it was a split decision in my household. When I had my husband try it, he said it was the worst thing he’s ever tasted. I found this to be better mixed in an adult beverage.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Sicilian Style Pizza is quick and ready in under 15 minutes from your oven. The organic olive oil was an added bonus that I was tempted not to use, but only added to the flavor here.
The cons: The pearl mozzarella cheese and the crust seemed under salted.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Beet Strawberry Juice is organic and will be a beet lovers dream.
The cons: If you had any hopes of a strawberry flavor, you’ll be wrong because the beet took over.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Roasted Teriyaki Seaweed Snack is sweet, salty, and umami. Only 30 calories per package which makes it a sensible snack.
The cons: This flavor only comes in a 6 pack. Seaweed is not a flavor everyone will appreciate.
The verdict: …
Velveeta and Kraft have nothing to worry about with Trader Joe’s Microwavable Mac and Cheese. The taste of Trader Joe’s Microwavable Mac and Cheese was just ok. Most importantly, you’ll have to bring your own dish.
The pros: Trader Joe’s Microwavable Mac and Cheese is only 230 calories per serving.
The cons: You might need to add additional water beyond what the instructions call for as my pasta came out dry every single time.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Espresso Baton is coffee and chocolate without the flavors being out of balance. One does not overwhelm the other.
The cons: If you are expecting a smooth chocolate, you’ll have some added texture here from the coffee grounds.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s This Apple Walks Into a Bar is tasty, organic, low fat, affordable, portable and not a source of completely empty calories.
The cons: Easy to eat a few of these in a sitting. If you buy the strawberry flavor, the packaging of the individual bars looks almost identical to these….
