No retailer embraces pumpkin season like Trader Joe's. This yr the autumn lineup includes a lot of returning bestsellers and a few latest options. We bought two grocery bags value of snacks and treats and put them to the test in a newsroom stuffed with pumpkin-loving reporters, editors and photographers.
We tried to determine which products contain pumpkin puree and that are just flavored with pumpkin spice, although lots of the latter still won us over.
Here are the outcomes. (It's not fair to go on attempting to determine which hideous-sounding product is definitely highly regarded and which product must be eclipsed after the witching season ends.) Tasty things abound. Honest.
Oh, and maybe the perfect news: Trader Joe's, being a superb corporate citizen, hasn't raised prices on any of the products we tried last yr and again this yr.
THE CLEAR FAVORITES
Hold the cone! (8 for $3.99): As one taster joked, “If it's 100 degrees in October, I might as well have a pumpkin spice-flavored ice cream cone with it.” Like others, he enjoyed the wealthy, full-flavored ice cream with a touch of ginger. The “white candy coating” keeps drips at bay. One person noticed what he described because the “unevenness of the waffle cones” (a little bit soggy on top, nice crunch on the underside), but we'll take that in stride for an 85-calorie treat.
Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque ($4.49): “The best of the whole batch,” raved one taster. “This is my favorite thing to do here,” said one other. Turns on the market are two TJ's pumpkin soups: the jarred version we tried last yr (unpleasant aftertaste), and the fresh version we present in the fridge. This one has a significantly better flavor, due to a clean list of ingredients – squash, squash, onions, carrots, “finished with brown butter and sage.” Tasters beneficial serving this soup hot for the perfect flavor.
Fall Harvest Salsa ($3.49) and Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips ($3.99): Like last yr's tasters, this yr's group praised this snack duo. Pumpkin is at the highest of the ingredient list for this savory-sweet fall salsa, followed by tomatoes, roasted tomatillos, onions, apples and more. Jalapenos add some heat. This “tasty novelty” can be a superb alternative for football weekends in front of the TV. While the chips don't contain pumpkin, their fun fall leaf shapes make them an ideal vehicle for the salsa.
Pumpkin Butter ($2.99): The pumpkin purists in our group, especially those whose moms and grandmothers made apple butter at home, loved this recipe. “It's a classic!” said one. Tastes old-fashioned – thick, sweet and really strong of cloves. Trader Joe's recommends serving it on bread or muffins, as an ice cream topping, or as a poultry glaze. You may even make soup if you happen to add a couple of tablespoons of fat-free sour cream, the label says.
Pumpkin Cranberry Chips ($3.99) and Pumpkin Cream Cheese ($2.49): This duo also performed well at our informal tasting this yr. The crackers, a seasonal twist on Trader Joe's Raisin Rosemary Crisps and Fig & Olive Crisps, are a classy snack and are great for a Thanksgiving appetizer tray because they get a pleasant flavor from the cranberry. “The cream cheese is a little sweet, but with the pumpkin cranberry chips it's really addictive!” said one taster.
Pumpkin Blondie Brownies with White Chocolate Chips and Pecans ($4.99): “Delicious, reminiscent of a delicate spice cake,” said one taster. However, one other fan noted, “This could be described more as a pumpkin bread than a dense blondie.” These treats aren't as dense as brownies, but that's okay—the pecan pieces add crunch and flavor. That helps, because pumpkin puree is number 12 on the ingredients list. Regardless, they were a success with our audience. “I would eat this whole box,” one admitted.
Pumpkin Bread ($4.99): Pumpkin puree is no 1 on the ingredients list, making it a flavorful and juicy alternative. The spiced frosting (latest this yr, TJ's told us) adds a pleasant crunch. These slices could have been overshadowed by the Pumpkin Blondie Brownies on the tasting table, but we are saying that is a superb alternative for breakfast or dessert.
Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels ($3.49): Tasters found these sweet and salty little snacks irresistible. “Amazing,” said one, “but it's hard to go wrong with pickled pretzels.” Trader Joe's tops them with pumpkin-spiced yogurt after which sprinkles spiced pumpkin seeds on top.
Split decisions
Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cakes ($5.49): When you see the thick layer of cream cheese frosting, you immediately consider carrot cake. This dessert – one among the brand new products – is made with pumpkin puree, which provides it a number of flavor and moisture. But… that frosting layer! “Good, creamy frosting takes the cake,” said one taster, “but there's a lot. If you don't like the icing, it's a no.” And one other agreed: “If it had half as much cream cheese, it could be a direct hit.”
Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies ($3.99): These yogurt-covered shortbread cookies taste like ginger snaps, not pumpkin. So the rankings relied on who liked ginger snaps (and the way much) and who didn't. We fans couldn't stop reaching into the box. In addition to the ginger flavor, one taster loved the “satisfying crunch.”
Pumpkin Biscotti ($4.49): These appeal to discerning palates, said one taster, because they are usually not too sweet. Good crunch and doubtless best dipped in hot coffee. They taste higher with a unique flavor or some crunch – perhaps walnuts or pecans.
Pumpkin Brioche Twist ($4.99): The dough was soft and pillowy and far moister than the version we tried last yr. One taster was confused: Is this alleged to be a sweet or savory bread? Anyway, most individuals thought this was real French toast.
THE PRODUCT THAT SOLD OUT SURPRISINGLY EARLY
Pumpkin Chardonnay: It sounded so terrible that we couldn't wait to try it out. We even thought we'd take the bottle to a couple of sommeliers to listen to their (presumably) horrified reactions. But you recognize what? Turns out Trader Joe's employees (at the very least on the San Jose/Coleman location) liked the wine, as did the purchasers. We were too late to purchase a bottle – on October 2nd!
BACK TO THE TEST KITCHEN
Pumpkin Spiced Joe Joe's Sandwich Cookies ($4.49): As Trader Joe's explains, “We took our famous Pumpkin Joe-Joe's, dipped them in a sweet and impeccably pumpkin-spiced, yogurt-flavored coating, and topped them with a little sea salt.” Bad move, TJ! All tasters agreed that they were too sweet, even “saccharine” and “disgusting.” The regular Pumpkin Joe-Joe's tasted good and price fifty dollars less per pack.
Pumpkin Cold Brew Concentrate ($8.99): Trader Joe's regular cold brew concentrate isn't the perfect available on the market, so we're undecided why we thought pumpkin flavoring would improve the taste. Reformulating the recipe can be a superb idea. But one optimistic taster said, “In theory, a bit of hot cold brew concentrate served with pumpkin ice cream could make a fun affogato.” Nice rescue.
Pumpkin Spice Sticks ($2.29): These long, crispy waffles have a “pleasant texture” and a gentle taste – but taste mainly of vanilla. There just isn't enough pumpkin flavor to justify the acquisition.
RIP, BREAKFAST BARS
This pumpkin involves a bar… granola bar ($2.49): What is stronger, the negative opinions or the smell of those breakfast bars? One editor took a bite and declared, “They taste like the smells from Michael (craft store) at holiday time.” Another taster compared the scent to a terrible cinnamon candle. The only praiseworthy feature is the clever name: “They get 10 points for that,” said one. Still, we are able to't even suggest Trader Joe's reformulate the recipe. These bars just need to shut down when the clock strikes midnight on Halloween night.
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