Truth be told about Trader Joe’s: you never know what awaits once you step inside. Sometimes you head in for a dependable treat you love, only to discover that it’s vanished for good, without any warning to grab extras while they’re still around. Other times, you’re greeted by a steady stream of new products that not only fit the current season but also nudge you to explore new flavors.
All things considered, this constant turnover keeps us on the hunt for the next standout item they have in store. And there are moments when we specifically chase foods we’ve never encountered before, even if they aren’t brand-new to the shop. If there’s one thing a weirdo-for-good food sleuth like us would do, it’s report back to you, dear readers. So, among everything we bought and sampled from Trader Joe’s this week, these are the five picks we think deserve a closer look.
Grecian Style Eggplant with Tomatoes & Onions
As we’ve been exploring a broad range of Trader Joe’s offerings, we’ve had a notably strong run with their Mediterranean- and Middle Eastern-inspired canned items. The Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce and Stuffed Grape Leaves stood out as real winners, and we were curious to see how this eggplant dish would compare. While it didn’t impress us as much as the others, it wasn’t anywhere near being bad. In essence, it just needed a touch more salt. The combination of tomatoes, onions, and eggplant tasted pleasant, and the eggplant’s texture was especially commendable. A pairing with pita chips or something similar would make for a nice addition to a meal if you finish it with a couple of salt pinches first.
Vegan Vegetable Dumplings
The frozen aisle remains one of our favorite zones to explore, and this week followed the trend. Rather than grabbing Chicken Gyoza for the thousandth time, we chose to try these vegetable dumplings instead. They stand apart from similar items, so let’s evaluate them on their own merits. The glassy wrapper was not only delicious but offered an incredible chew while staying tender. When prepared according to the package directions and pan-fried, the wrapper develops a texture reminiscent of a Korean rice cake, only thinner. The filling, however, comes across as a bit bland. You’d need a fondness for simple greens to truly savor it. That said, they were well seasoned and satisfying nonetheless.
Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
We aimed to keep pumpkin-spice overload in check this week, but spotted these as a fresh addition to the autumn lineup and decided to give them a go. They’re coated in pumpkin-spiced white chocolate, and honestly, they make for a fantastic snack. They aren’t too overwhelmingly pumpkin-forward in a way that feels grating or repetitive by the fourth pretzel. The balance between the salty pretzel and the white chocolate turns out to be quite delightful and habit-forming.
Alive Raspberry Lychee
This beverage is a new addition to Trader Joe’s lineup, so we decided to test it. It sounded healthful—almost kombucha-like in its claims—but we weren’t expecting it to taste like kombucha (at least, that was the hope). In reality, the flavor is much subtler, with no odd or off-putting notes. It tastes more akin to a probiotic soda. The flavor itself, independent of any health claims, is quite pleasant: floral and fragrant, yet bright and fruity. The caveat is that if you dislike Stevia or zero-calorie sweeteners, you might dislike the aftertaste. If that isn’t a concern for you, I’d recommend giving it a try.
Frosted Cranberry Spritz Wine
Trader Joe’s has been on a seasonal wine spree this year, and it shows no signs of slowing as we approach late October and November. The Frosted Cranberry Spritz Wine is charming and has a festive vibe, while also delivering refreshment. Its sweetness is balanced by a tart cranberry note and the wine’s acidity, resulting in a harmonious profile. It tastes more like a wine cocktail, which is exactly what we set out to find.
