Spoon Georgetown would like to celebrate the coming of spring the way we know best: with snacks. Beloved for its seasonal selection, Trader Joe’s has returned this spring with ten quintessential items. In this article, we will rank each item on taste, appearance, and how much it encapsulates the essence of spring.
1. Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters
The Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters have rightfully earned their spot in first place. The perfect balance of salty and sweet, these clusters combine cookies, brownies, caramel, and sea salt. The sea salt stands out by countering the sweet chocolate, ensuring the clusters take first place on this ranking. The clusters vary between crunchy and chewy in each bite, providing a wonderful balance of textures. A bite of a Brookie Caramel Candy Cluster is harmonious, with each taste perfectly balanced. These clusters would be perfect at a spring picnic!
2. Dulce De Leche Ice cream
This cold and caramel treat is perfect for a movie night with friends. This ice cream is for you if you have a massive sweet tooth (like I do). The Dulce De Leche ice cream is complete with generous amounts of caramel. However, it’s important to note that the caramel ribbon is not salted caramel, making the ice cream sweeter than one might anticipate. Even after hours in the freezer, it’s the perfect creamy temperature—never too frozen! Coming in at a close second, this ice cream is perfect for those who crave sugary flavors.
3. Brown Butter Salted Caramel Mini Biscotti
These mini biscotti are the perfect size for a quick snack. While the browned butter flavor shines through, the caramel flavor doesn’t translate over as well. Regardless, the crunchy sweetness is delicious and not too overpowering given the small size. Another pick for those who have a sweet tooth, the mini biscotti are far from savory. The Brown Butter Salted Caramel Mini Biscotti are ideal when you're in a hurry and need a pick-me-up on the road.
4. Vanilla Cookie Thins
When one of my friends tried these cookies, she said they reminded her of home. I could not have put it better. The Vanilla Cookie Thins are homey and reliable. Though they don't bring any new and exciting flavors or textures to the table, they are quite delicious. The sweet vanilla compliments the light and crunchy texture. I’m a big fan of the thin size, which makes the sweetness more manageable. As we reach the end of the school year and if you find yourself longing for home, I suggest these cookies. Not daring, but certainly dependable, these cookies are the perfect blend of vanilla and crunch!
5. Lemon-flavored Mini Sheet Cake
Coming from a lemon enthusiast, this cake ranked considerably lower than I had anticipated. This mini sheet cake has a yellow cake base with lemon buttercream frosting. The yellow cake was moist with the perfect sweetness. However, the lemon buttercream was far too sweet and I wished it was tangier. Overall, this cake is still a very solid choice, however, I was slightly disappointed with it. The lemon-flavored mini sheet cake would hit the spot after a long day of classes and warmer temperatures.
6. Piquant Popcorn
Contrasting the Lemon-flavored mini sheet cake, the Piquant Popcorn pleasantly surprised me. The Piquant Popcorn resembles cheesy popcorn with a nutty aftertaste, making it a great savory treat. However, neither the cheesy taste nor the saltiness is overpowering. While I can't see myself craving this popcorn, I could see myself having Piquant Popcorn as a study snack in Lauinger Library. Our first savory item on this ranking, Piquant Popcorn is not my first choice but certainly not my last!
7. Organic Darjeeling White Tea
I debated where to rank this tea for a while… The Organic Darjeeling White Tea has purposefully subtle notes of fruit. While I’m typically inclined to stronger teas, this tea was very refreshing. The tea’s delicate flavors make it a wonderful choice to drink right before bed. While I don't see myself buying Organic Darjeeling White Tea again, it’s far from a waste of money.
8. Joe’s Os cereal bars
I didn’t have high hopes for Joe’s Os Cereal Bars and unfortunately, I was pretty spot on. These bars weren't anything exciting. I wouldn't be too quick to recommend them at all. The Joe’s Os (rip-off Cheerios) and peanut butter made much too sweet of a combination and there was nothing savory to cut through the sweetness. The bar was also incredibly chewy, which in my personal preference, is not what I enjoy in a cereal bar. If you love sweet peanut butter then give these a try, otherwise, maybe leave them on the shelf!
9. Savory Squares
Savory Squares are… savory squares… but not much else. The initial hints of cheddar are quite delicious, and these squares have a great crunch to them. However, as the taste progresses to have nutty notes, the aftertaste becomes bitter and unappealing. Even some more salt could have made a large improvement in Savory Squares. Overall, I don’t see these becoming a staple in my pantry during springtime (or at all). That being said, my roommate was a fan of these squares so if you're a lover of cheddar, seeds, and nuts, maybe give them a try!
10. Brown Sugar Boba Mochi
Perhaps the most disappointing ranking on this list, I was very hopeful about Brown Sugar Boba Mochi. However, I was sorely let down. The initial bite into the mochi was very soft but it went downhill from there. The mochi is too powdery on the tongue and the soft filling inside the mochi is grainy rather than creamy. Texture aside, the mochi are bitter rather than sweet. I wouldn't recommend Brown Sugar Boba Mochi to anyone, hence its ranking at the bottom of this list.
Overall, it’s safe to say that Trader Joe’s did a wonderful job picking out this season's specialties. However, next season I would love to review snacks with more balanced flavor palettes. So, whether you're planning a picnic on Copley Lawn or a late-night study session at Lauinger Library, use this list to guide you on your next Trader Joe’s trip!