Annual Trader Joe’s Review

It’s that time of year again when the breeze becomes chillier and leaves start dropping. Speaking of dropping, autumn is the time when Trader Joe’s releases its fall food items. You might get overwhelmed with their new lineup of products, so our staff has done the tasting for you, ranking the items from students’ least favorites to ones they would definitely buy.

11. Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows and Pumpkin O’s

Tied in last place are the Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows and Pumpkin O’s. Both received a whopping 2.72/4. Writer Kaia Matsubara says that the marshmallows had “flavor was subtle” but also was “not too sweet”. However, these small treats would be “amazing in hot chocolate”, as Mahlani Tanap writes. As for the Pumpkin O’s, Kaia Matsubara says they “were not what [she] entirely expected”.

10. Pumpkin Spiced Flavored Joe Joe’s

Slightly above the last food’s rating, with a 2.80/,4 are the Pumpkin Spiced Flavored Joe Joe’s. It was dry for some people, while others found it too sweet. Many of our staff claimed it was “just okay” and confused it with another fall food coming up.

9. Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

These Pumpkin Tortilla Chips received a 2.93/4, with a flavor that did not sit well with our writers. Write Sophia Rasson says it has “a different take on tortilla chips” and writer Myles Cline just disagrees with it, saying it's not his “cup of tea. These chips have sweet spices on them, so it may come off as unexpected if you were hoping for regular-tasting tortilla chips.

8. Pumpkin Streussel Muffins, Petite Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s

These three items earned themselves a 3/4. The Pumpkin Streussel Muffins were “crunchy at the top which was good and the inside was like good texture,” says write Jacob Cuares. On the other hand, Mahlani Tanap felt like it was “Kind of too sweet…the sweetness overpowered the muffin.” It was overall agreed that the Petite Pumpkin Spice was okay, nothing too special about it. As mentioned before, some staff writers were confused and thought the Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s tasted like the Pumpkin Spiced Flavored Joe-Joe’s. One writer even said, “What is the difference between a pumpkin spiced flavored joe-joes and a pumpkin flavored joe-joes?” Some writers were able to taste the difference and thought of it as great and crunchy.

7. Fall Harvest Salsa

3.1/4 is the rating that the Fall Harvest Salsa got from students. Staff writer Lili Tanap enjoyed it with the chips provided. Some students liked its take on its flavor and its uniqueness to the tongue. However, some students didn’t even notice it was there. Section Editor Kian De Alwis says it was “not very flavorful”.

6. Tied: Cocoa Truffles with Maple Sugar and Tortilla Chips

These foods turned up with a score of 3.19/4. Myles Cline says that you “Can't go wrong with truffles.” The truffles are sweet, and the “maple sugar adds a lot”. Many staff writers enjoyed the filling and loved the smooth, rich cocoa taste. Kian De Alwis says that its “An autumnal variation on a favorite theme: smooth cocoa truffles...with a seasonal twist.”

5. Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips

The Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips are not just like the regular tortilla chips; these chips were delicious for a good number of our writers. Because of this, it got itself a 3.27/4. Lili Tanap especially enjoyed it with the Fall Harvest Salsa mentioned earlier.

4. Harvest Chocolate Collection

These fun-shaped chocolates won a 3.32/4 rating among our writers. The chocolate tastes like regular chocolate, but there is variety in the box. Myles Cline says that “There was a very good amount of crunchiness.”

3. Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake

Exclaimed as a “not overly sweet” treat, the Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake got a 3.39/4. Jacob Cuares says the cake is “pretty sweet but not too sweet and it tasted good.” Section Editor Conner Chinn agrees, saying he “absolutely loved the mixture of pumpkin cake topped off with vanilla icing” and that this dessert leaves “your mouth with a sweet harmony of flavors.”

2. Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Popcorn

If you’re planning on getting early food for Thanksgiving, this treat earned a 3.45/4. Unlike regular buttered popcorn, Sophia Rasson says that there is a “pumpkin flavor” that you can definitely taste. Along with that taste, there is a bit of a peppery seasoning with it as well. Kaia Matsubura says that it was “amazing and very flavorful” and that with the peppery seasoning, it was also “salty but not too salty”.

1. Pumpkin Brioche Twist

Coming up to first place is the Pumpkin Brioche Twist, with a high rating of 3.62. Section Editor Michelle Chambers said that the brioche is “delicious and airy” and is her personal favorite among the other foods. The pumpkin adds to the taste, which makes most of our staff love it so much. The bread had a nice touch of cinnamon and wasn’t too artificial-tasting. The brioche was soft to the mouth and left most of our students wanting more.

Our staff is proud to present this list in hopes you may enjoy these foods as much as we did. Altogether, if you end up finding yourselves at Trader Joe’s, rush yourself to find the Pumpkin Brioche Twist!