Happy fall Islanders! Fall is here, and with it, new Trader Joe’s fall items! We tried some of the many options and here’s a rundown of what’s worth grabbing—and what might be better left on the shelf this season.
Pumpkin Jojos – 6/10
The texture of these differs from regular Jojos and for the worse. The flavor of these cookies was too sweet to be enjoyable. While the spices were somewhat comparable to a ginger snap, the overall taste wasn’t a crowd-pleaser and I would not recommend these as part of your fall shopping.
Maple Popcorn – 7/10
The flavor leaned heavily into the maple, which many of us thought worked well. It struck a good balance between sweet and salty, evoking a cozy autumn feel. Essentially, it’s like a classic kettle corn, but the simplicity of the snack worked to its advantage, making it a good, easy fall snack.
A Pumpkin Walks into a Bar – 5/10
Compared to its counterparts, this snack didn’t crumble as much as expected, but the flavor fell flat. It’s a standard bar and while there was nothing terrible about it, many agreed that it would be their last choice among the other fruit flavors.
Maple Leaf Cookies – 5/10
These cookies tasted sweet and undeniably fall-inspired, however were unbearably sweet. While the frosting-to-cookie ratio was good, their crumbly texture led to a mess, and opinions were divided down the middle.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese – 9.5/10
A delightful, savory break from sugary snacks, and the standout item for many. The balance between squash and cheese was just right, and it didn’t feel artificial, like many of the other items did.
Pumpkin Chips – 8/10
The seasoning was appreciated by some for its boldness, but others found it overwhelming. A split decision here, with some loving the blue corn base, while others just couldn’t get behind them. The pumpkin flavor was not at all overpowering, making it easy to eat with salsa or a dip.
Pepita Salsa – 8/10
This Pepita Salsa was the right balance of fall flavors, with a subtle pumpkin undertone. It paired well with chips and delivered a good mix of spice and texture, making it a solid snack option.
Pumpkin Body Butter – 6/10
Opinions on the scent were split—some thought it smelled light and pleasant, while others thought it was very floral, like a smoothie. However, as a body butter it was very moisturizing and long-lasting, so if you are a fan of the smell I would recommend it.
Maple Almond Fudge – 3/10
This was not my favorite. The fudge was too sweet, crumbled like soap, and had an overpowering maple flavor. It’s very rich, making it a snack you can only eat in small doses, which also led to widespread dislike.
Apple Cider Donut – 6/10
While the cinnamon flavor was appreciated, the donut itself was too dry and doughy. Even though it wasn’t awful, there was something missing from these and I would recommend passing on these this season.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese – 6.5/10
Though it tasted great to some, others found it too sweet, and the texture was almost more like frosting than cream cheese. It would have benefited from a thicker consistency, balancing out its sweetness, and making it feel more like cream cheese. Despite this, the overall flavor was still good, so I would recommend trying it.
Pumpkin Biscotti – 5/10
This was a divisive treat among the class, with some calling it a standout, while others disliked it for being too hard to chew. It lacked a strong pumpkin flavor, but many still liked it for its cinnamon notes, which really made it feel like a fall item.
