Some aisles at Trader Joe's have gotten larger over time, some have seen diminishing shelf space. Coffee recently has entered the world of diminishing shelf space. Some of the coffees are really good, some not so much. And sadly, with the addition of small-lot coffees, by the time you realize that you love a certain coffee, they are often off the shelves likely to never be seen again. Coffee aside, this isn't Trader Joe's first rodeo with coffee and chocolate, just now you have a small snackable-sized bag with Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans.
Taste
The last time Trader Joe's added a product that was both so very chocolatey and coffee-flavored it was with Trader Joe's Dark Coffee Squares. But that didn't quite have the same literal coffee ground taste that Trader Joe's Cold Brew Coffee Bar had.
In Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans, they are giving you the beans. Within each one of these candies, there is a whole espresso bean. So if chomping down on a fully roasted bean doesn't sound appealing to you then walk away from this product.
For me chomping down on a whole espresso bean isn't my favorite thing in the world, but I know some people don't mind it.
When you open this bag it also smells like a coffee shop. Or at least a Starbucks, but there is no hiding the aroma.
The bag is small at 2.5 ounces, but if you manage to nosh on this whole bag it will set you back 360 calories.
But in this bag, you are getting 4 different types of candies.
Flavors and review
White Chocolate- This is white chocolate, but you'll notice it is speckled. The speckles are grounds of coffee that have been added for texture and flavor. It's not cheap white chocolate and the coffee adds some texture in addition to the beans.
Coffee Au Lait- or at least that is what I'm calling this really light brown candy. Anyways, this seems to be somewhere between white and milk chocolate. The coffee flavor hits when you get to the bean in the middle.
Milk Chocolate- pleasant but not cloyingly sweet milk chocolate. The coffee flavor hits when you get to the bean.
Dark Chocolate- good dark chocolate but is slightly sweet dark, but this one seems to compliment the bean the best.
Overall
For $0.99 it is pretty well done. Considering how small it is, I was able to just take a few because they were providing both sweetness and a bit of a mid-afternoon pick me up.
Would I buy this again? I may or may not buy Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans again. They were tasty, but I'm sure there will be new treats to snack on in the near future as well. But if you need your buzz or really like coffee, this is well made.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
The bag of Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans:
Calories
Ingredients
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans
Product Name: Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Expresso Beans
Product Description: Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans are espresso beans covered by coffee flavored chocolate
Price: $0.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Coffee Lovers Espresso Beans is an assortment of chocolate covered espresso beans
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Each color is a different flavor
- If you love coffee/chocolate then you'll probably love these.
Cons
- Raw coffee bean in the middle isn't for everyone
judilyn says
These look great! I'd stash them away everywhere - FOR EMERGENCIES! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
Hey Judie! Yup these are the perfect size for hiding in your purse or bag or those cravings of subtle sweetness. Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by!
Alek says
I thought it was yummy! 99 cents which is a steal. I might experiment it with cookies. Instead of chocolate chips; using these in place of chocolate chip. Adding some crunch and excitement.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! As always great suggestions there. Thanks so much for taking the time for coming up with all these great ideas.
Dag says
I was at Trader Joe's tonight and I forgot to buy them much to my dismay. These are definitely up my alley and so incredibly well priced! I have seen a number of good reviews on these. Wrote myself a reminder to buy them on my next trip
Hil says
I sampled these today and wasn't a fan. They're much sweeter than I'd like, but it might have wider appeal especially for the Starbucks kind of crowd (the folks that like a lot of milk and sugar and flavors in their coffee). I prefer a bolder flavor and these were missing that.
becomebetty says
Hey Hil! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I drink my coffee on the light side and your explanation seems pretty spot on. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by and sharing!
Kathy Nealious says
The beans are fabulous! It’s the chocolate that makes them so! I will get more next time I go to Trader Joe’s.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing Kathy!