Back in the holiday season of 2017, Trader Joe's hit us with a sleeper hit: Pitted Amarena Cherries. It didn't make waves, but you can bet it made everything from Manhattans to ice cream sundaes better. Now Trader Joe's has snuck another little treat onto shelves: Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup.
Taste
Now, if you are used to the huge and mostly tasteless run-of-the-mill strawberries we have here in the states, then you'll want to check your expectations of these strawberries when you pop open this jar. You are going to be staring at some of the smallest but most intense berries you'll experience short of making a trip overseas.
When my sister visited Europe, she always commented on how different the food tastes there, especially the produce. I always thought it was the high of being on vacation where everything just happens to taste better because of being away.
Pop open this jar and you will have the most intense strawberry experience possible. But these are some teeny tiny strawberries. I opened the jar expecting them to be cherry-sized, but in reality, they were closer to wild blueberry size.
Now if you are concerned about them having some type of gross texture, these are not at all mushy. However because they are so small, they do have a bit of a chewy texture to them.
Pairing suggestions
So what can you use this for? Well, the possibilities here are pretty endless. But ice cream, pound cake, or the most intense strawberry milk you can make at home are all starting points. They would probably be fabulous in baked goods provided you drained them (and don't discard that syrup) first.
Overall
For $4.99 these are marked as a seasonal item on my receipt. So if you find you love them, it is time to stock up. Because once the season is over, who knows when or if we will ever see these again.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Visual rundown
The jar of Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup:
Calories and ingredients
How Trader Joe's describes this:
Out of the package you get:
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Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup
Product Name: Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup
Product Description: Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup is a seasonal jarred berry that can rival the Amarena Cherries in terms of intensity and quality
Price: $4.99
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
Summary
Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup is a new, seasonal jarred fruit that looks basic, but the jar is anything but.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Italian Strawberries in Syrup are intense and delicious
- Syrup is just as good as the berries themselves
- The berries retain some texture by also taste like they've been dried first.
Cons
- Seasonal. So this is a limited-time item
- You might be fooled by the berries tiny appearance as they are quite intense despite their tiny size
- If you aren't a fan of sweets, then this is a pass. Anything already sitting in syrup is going to be quite sweet.
Alek says
So many possibilities here!! Oatmeal, Ice Cream Mix ins, Shakes, fruit salad (use the syrup to make a nice dressing with mint), lemonade add-in, cupcake frosting (boiling down the syrup even more thicker), pancakes, or tea sweetener. They should do berries in syrup next!
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! Yes, so very many possibilities on this one. If you like an intense strawberry flavor you'll like this.
Dagmar says
Are there a lot of little strawberries in the container or is it mostly syrup? I was thinking about this for yogurt.
becomebetty says
Lot of little strawberries. With a fair amount of syrup. Nothing would go to waste on this.
Elaine says
I was at TJ today and only wish I had seen this first. I love the cherries and use them In Marian Burros’ Plum Torte. Can’t wait to try the strawberries.
becomebetty says
Hey Elaine! I hope you get to try this. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it too.
Tina says
Cute little strawberries and adorable jar! They are going on mini cheesecakes for the office holiday party.
becomebetty says
Hey Tina! Thanks for sharing. Great pairing suggestion.
Steve Watanabe says
My served these on top of cheesecake and the intense strawberry flavor paired perfectly. I loved the chewy texture of the berries.
becomebetty says
Hey Steve! Thanks so much for sharing this pairing. Now you have me craving cheesecake. Thanks again!
Dylan says
I was traveling outside the country when these went on sale 🙁 When I got back and checked the "What's new" section on the Trader Joes website, I really wanted to try it. Luckily my local Trader Joes had couple of them. I wasn't sure about the taste so I only bought one. Once I got home and tasted it, I was hooked! I was putting it on everything.... Lol! I had to get more but when I went the next week, it was unavailable 😔
I had given up hope of finding it or it coming back to the store next season.I went to the Trader Joe's in the city and VOILA... They had a whole shelf full of the preserves ♥ I didn't think twice, I bought 10 jars... Haha!
becomebetty says
Hey Dylan! I'm so glad you found this to be as delicious as I did. It really is a hidden gem. I hope it comes back next season too. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!