Trader Joe's stocks its shelves with a variety of seasonal products every spring.
So, I've been trying the spring offerings from my local store as part of an ongoing series where I review the grocery chain's seasonal foods.
Keep reading to see which items I'll be stocking up on and which I'll skip.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2021. Although many seasonal spring foods return, item availability is subject to change.
The cheese blintzes would make a perfect addition to any brunch table
A blintz is a popular breakfast treat that's essentially a lightly sweetened pancake wrapped around a cheese or fruit filling.
They're often associated with Shavuot, a springtime holiday celebrated in the Jewish faith, but are also popular throughout parts of Eastern Europe.
I picked up a package of four pastries in the frozen section at Trader Joe's. Although the product doesn't come with toppings, its box features a picture with whipped cream and fruit, so I followed suit to get the full experience.
This was my first time trying blintzes, and I mostly enjoyed them. They tasted like a traditional crepe, and I appreciated that their light sweetness became more noticeable with the berries.
However, I don't love the texture of cottage cheese, so I was a little turned off by the filling.
VERDICT: Overall, the blintzes were decent, but they weren't my favorite. The fruit and whipped cream certainly elevated them, but I had trouble getting over the texture.
But if you're a cottage cheese fan or like a versatile breakfast, these will probably be right up your alley.
The gluten-free coffee cake muffins were incredible
The most noticeable thing about these muffins was their size — compared to a standard version, these were gigantic.
Each treat sported that signature coffee cake look with a ribbon-like swirl of cinnamon on the bottom, which was dense and sturdy, yet also slightly crumbly. The tops were adorned with a dusting of sprinkles.
I'm usually wary of gluten-free pastries because of their tendency to be either super dry or way too dense and crumbly, but these muffins were surprisingly moist and delicate, with a lightly sweet flavor that made them suitable for an early morning bite.
When paired with a cup of coffee, the cinnamon flavor really popped.
VERDICT: Although I can't see myself buying these muffins all the time, I will absolutely be hitting up Trader Joe's for these when I'm craving a sweet breakfast or having guests over.
The oven-baked cheese bites would be great in soup or on their own
If you ever wanted to know what spaghetti would taste like in snack form, this is your answer. And as strange as that might sound, this item is absolutely worth buying.
Basically, these gluten-free bites are dehydrated, aged cheese with a few added seasonings.
Like any good snack, these morsels delivered in crunch, and I gave them bonus points for their airiness that gifted each bite with a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
What made these a real standout, however, was the zesty chili and tomato flavor that came through with each bite.
VERDICT: 10/10. I'm obsessed.
The vegan taco salad was delicious
Each vegan taco salad kit contains iceberg lettuce, blue tortilla strips, corn salsa, and chipotle-seasoned seitan.
The Chipotle seitan made this mix a filling meal on its own and gave it a necessary layer of savory flavor, which is crucial in salads with a limited amount of dressing.
This seitan wasn't dry or soggy, and though I couldn't really detect the chipotle flavor, it was still seasoned enough to have that taco meat taste. It was like a toned-down version of the chain's soy chorizo.
Trader Joe's also nailed the salad dressing. It didn't have a weird artificial taste, and the only downside was that there wasn't more of it.
VERDICT: With the mix of textures, super filling seitan, and tasty dressing, this salad is a must-buy for anyone looking to spice up their lunches.
The lemon bars tasted homemade
Chocolate is great and all, but nothing screams springtime like a yummy lemon bar.
There was no mistaking the presence of real lemon in these — as soon as I opened the box, I noticed a sweet citrus aroma.
I let these lemon bars defrost on my counter for an hour before tasting them, and I'm not sure I'll ever attempt baking this dessert on my own again — they were out of this world.
Had I not purchased this dessert myself, I never would have guessed it came from the freezer section. Each bar had a scrumptious, fresh taste, so it could easily pass as homemade.
The combination of vanilla shortbread with the bright, citrusy lemon curd and a dusting of powdered sugar was absolutely divine. But these stood out for their texture — they had a perfect level of chewiness with an impressively buttery crust despite being frozen.
VERDICT: I apologize in advance to anyone who lives near me and wants to try these lemon bars because I might be buying them all the next time I hit up Trader Joe's.
These peanut-shaped chocolates were fun and creative
In my opinion, all chocolate tastes better when it comes in a cute shape, and these peanut-like candies were proof of that.
Plus, they had just the right ratio of high-quality chocolate exterior to creamy peanut butter filling. Each bite was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious that the treats could have passed for something I'd buy at a specialty candy shop.
The texture really won me over, as each piece had an added layer of rice cereal under the coating for extra crunch.
VERDICT: To say I loved this candy would be an understatement.
The dark chocolate plantain chips are a great springtime treat
Crunchy, salty, and slightly sweet, these plantain chips were everything I'd been craving.
I appreciated how Trader Joe's didn't go overboard with the chocolate coating and opted for a light drizzle. Plantains already have a natural fruity sweetness, so they only need a touch of cocoa flavor to highlight their sugary notes.
Although I thought these plantain chips were tasty, I'm not sure I would rate them above the jerk-style variety, as I was over these after a few bites.
VERDICT: Overall, I'd say these chips are a must-buy for anyone who loves the combination of dark chocolate with salty flavors. I can also see them making a superb sweet addition to any snack platter.
I fell in love with the tasty filling in the lemon and ricotta ravioli
My longtime favorite Trader Joe's ravioli is the Caprese one, but after trying this lemon version, I'm not so sure.
The ravioli cooked in less than 10 minutes, making it an excellent quick dinner option.
In the interest of tasting the ravioli in its purest form, I coated the dish in just olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.
When I took a bite, I noticed the filling was super smooth and had a pleasantly fresh flavor to it. The delicate hints of lemon provided a needed contrast to the ricotta's sweetness to make it less rich than the standard cheese-stuffed ravioli.
I also loved that I didn't feel heavy after eating this meal, which almost never happens with cheesy pasta.
VERDICT: It's safe to say this ravioli will be my new go-to weeknight dinner this spring.
The almond-butter almonds make a perfect snack
With a super smooth coating and lightly salted nutty interior, these almond-butter almonds tasted like candy.
Super creamy and sweet, with subtle notes of cocoa and vanilla, the almond-butter coating was so yummy I could have eaten it by the spoonful.
VERDICT: Almond on top of almond might sound like a bit much, but it proved to be an excellent choice. These bites were delicious. I hope Trader Joe's keeps them around, but I'll stock up just in case.
These crispy mushrooms were a bit of an acquired taste
I love mushrooms, but when I saw these snacks at Trader Joe's, I raised an eyebrow.
I wasn't sure what to expect from these, but at a glance, they didn't look super appetizing — more like overcooked mushrooms than anything else.
Appearance aside, these were a decent savory snack. They tasted like nothing I'd ever eaten, so I gave Trader Joe's credit for creativity.
According to the package description, the mushrooms are lightly salted, dried, and tossed in sunflower oil, so their natural umami taste stood out because it wasn't competing with too many seasonings.
Their texture made them a memorable snack, as they had a light, crispy exterior like a chip and a slightly chewy inside like a cooked mushroom.
VERDICT: The crispy mushrooms are worth trying at least once, but I don't think I'd buy them again.
The cheese-filled fiocchetti with pink sauce was good, but not mind-blowing
Just as the package suggested, the fiocchetti cooked to an optimal tenderness in less than 10 minutes, but the sauce didn't really look quite right.
Even though I measured the water and oil according to the instructions, the mix looked much thinner and less pink than advertised. Despite its light-orange hue, I still gave it a chance.
I generally enjoyed the pasta component of the dish, but the sauce left much to be desired. I thought it desperately needed more tomato and garlic flavors.
It's possible I watered it down during the cooking process, but even so, the flavor wasn't as bold as I anticipated, and it came out so thin that it seemed more like a lightly seasoned broth than a sauce.
I set aside some leftovers in the fridge and noticed the next day that the sauce had thickened slightly.
VERDICT: Overall, I'd say this pasta is a great vegetarian entrée to add to your weeknight repertoire.
Although the dish's flavors were quite mellow, the meal could easily be upgraded with a few extra ingredients, like red pepper flakes and more cheese, so I'm willing to buy this one again.
The pink and white shortbread cookies would make a great addition to any picnic
With their cute floral shape, colorful yogurt coating, and adorable rainbow sprinkles, these cookies were pretty much impossible for me to dislike.
They tasted just like the frosted circus animal cookies I was obsessed with growing up. My fellow '90s babies will know what I'm talking about, as one bite of these Trader Joe's cookies instantly transported me to my childhood.
In terms of texture, they were of comparable thickness to graham crackers with a familiar, crumby feel.
Most of all, I enjoyed that these cookies were sweet but not overwhelmingly sugary. The yogurt coating was super smooth and contained subtle notes of vanilla that didn't taste artificial.
VERDICT: I can picture serving these cookies as a treat at brunch or an outdoor picnic with friends. They'd also make a great decorative addition to an ice cream sundae. Perfect for kids and adults who want a hit of nostalgia, these cookies are worth buying again.
The Meyer lemon cookies would make a scrumptious springtime treat
The first thing that came to mind when I opened this box of cookies was afternoon tea. With their pale yellow color and paper-thin texture, they were practically designed to be consumed off a pretty pastel colored plate atop some doilies.
These cookies had a delightfully airy quality and nice crisp that crumbled in my mouth with every bite.
As a fan of all things citrus, I appreciated that the tangy flavor was detectable but not artificial tasting. They also had a slightly floral quality, which probably came from the use of Meyer lemons.
Either way, they were absolutely delicious.
VERDICT: If you're searching for a super light sweet treat to munch on, look no further than these Meyer lemon cookies.
I couldn't get enough of the candy-coated almonds
With their slightly crunchy, colorful shell, these candy-coated almonds look a lot like Cadbury's mini eggs. They were also delicious.
The coating offered a yummy crunch that regular chocolate-covered almonds can't compete with. Plus, I loved the pastel colors.
The chocolate layer was pleasantly smooth, and the almond center gave these treats dimension and a yummy, nutty flavor.
VERDICT: As someone who frequently craves chocolate, these springtime almonds are a must-have.
This blood orange cake mix made a delicious loaf, but I wasn't impressed by the icing
I've never thought to use blood oranges for anything beyond cocktails, so I was excited to try this mix.
The moment I started mixing the ingredients, I caught a strong whiff of the bold, citrus aroma, and the batter was bright orange.
Like most boxed cake mixes, this came together with just a few ingredients and under an hour of bake time. It also included a packet of icing, which saved me even more time.
On its own, this cake was awesome. The blood orange flavor was pronounced, offering a unique profile that was noticeably more tart than sweet. Its texture was dense yet tender and moist, like a pound cake.
However, I found the icing tasted too much like candy. It was sweet with a seemingly artificial flavor. Next time, I'll try topping it with my own cream cheese frosting and blood orange zest.
VERDICT: Buy the cake mix, but ditch the icing — it doesn't need it.
These lemon madeleines were sweet and delicious
These fluffy tea cakes were sweet, buttery, and delicious. The lemon zest flavor was very subtle yet detectable.
They're dainty, which made them suitable for early mornings when I wasn't quite ready for a full meal.
The flavor was comparable to a classic vanilla pound cake, with just the slightest kiss of lemon. The firm yet spongy texture would be ideal for dipping in hot coffee or tea.
VERDICT: As someone who often craves light sweets in the morning, these lemon zest madeleines hit the spot. I'll gladly be buying a couple more packages before the season ends.
Fans of spinach would really enjoy this frozen Florentine lasagna
Based on the box, I assumed this lasagna would be loaded with Italian flavors, but I later learned that Florentine is actually a French cooking term that refers to a dish with cooked spinach and a cheesy, creamy sauce.
I was excited about this dish since it's vegetarian, serves more than one person, and doesn't require any actual prep work — just patience.
Per the instructions, you can heat this in the microwave in two six-minute intervals, but I opted to bake mine in the oven for just under an hour.
The aroma of garlic, herbs, and cheese filled my entire apartment while this cooked, which was reason enough to give this a solid rating.
However, spinach has a high water content, which was evident the moment I cut into this lasagna. It looked more like a cheesy soup with pasta. So, getting any kind of square slice was impossible. I used a spoon to scoop it onto my plate.
If you really dig cooked spinach, you'll probably enjoy this. The bitter, metallic green tasted great with the creamy, sweet ricotta.
I also appreciated that Trader Joe's included Parmesan in the cheese blend — which added a nice balance of salt — and a ton of flavorful dried herbs and garlic.
VERDICT: Although the Florentine lasagna offered a lot of fragrant, cheesy flavor, its lengthy cook time and sloppy texture kept it from being as good as possible.
Trader Joe's Springle Jangle was just OK
Like the winter equivalent, the Trader Joe's Springle Jangle consists of various bite-sized snacks, like butter toffee peanuts, yogurt-dipped pretzels, dark chocolate Joe-Joe bark, dark and milk chocolate mini peanut butter cups, sprinkle covered chocolate discs, and candy gems (which are similar to M&Ms).
It's more of a candy mix than a snack one, as it was very sweet and barely salty, save for the yogurt-dipped pretzels. Those were my favorite parts, even though some pieces tasted a bit stale.
The chocolate could've been better, as it was slightly chalky and didn't quite have that melt-in-your-mouth quality I expect from most dipped treats.
Overall, this would make a decent snack if you want something sweet but can't decide on what to buy. However, I think it could've used one more salty component, like a handful of almonds.
VERDICT: Although the Springle Jangle is a yummy snack that people with a sweet tooth will likely enjoy, it's far from my favorite springtime Trader Joe's product.
Trader Joe's spring cupcake mix required way more work than I anticipated
These spring cupcakes looked so cute on the box — but the assembly wasn't what I expected.
The box didn't come with finished frosting, but rather a powder, which required milk and butter to prepare (more ingredients I had to buy). It also needed to be beaten with a hand or stand mixer.
The kit didn't include a piping tip, which made working with the frosting disastrous. My cupcake grass looked more like Medusa's hair than anything you'd find in an Easter basket.
On a positive note, the cupcakes themselves turned out great. They had a nice buttery flavor and were super fluffy.
The caramel candy eggs that came in the box were by far the best part and made the price tag worth it. Honestly, I wish there were more of them.
VERDICT: These spring cupcakes had so much potential, but between all the additional ingredients you have to buy and the extensive prep, it wasn't really convenient, especially if you plan to make them with kids.
I'd rather buy one of the better cake mixes that Trader Joe's sells.
There's no need to buy Easter candy if you have these chocolate mousse eggs on hand
These creamy treats are probably one of my favorite finds in Trader Joe's bakery section.
The chocolate cake was soft, moist, and rich, while the mousse layer was sweet and fluffy. The double chocolate flavor worked well since the mousse had more of a milk chocolate profile that built on the cake's richness.
All of this came wrapped in a thin, chocolate candy coating, complete with colorful icing designs on top.
Each egg-shaped cake is just the right size for a mid-afternoon or after-dinner sweet. Eating just one or two satisfied my chocolate craving.
VERDICT: I wish they were individually wrapped, but as long as these are available at Trader Joe's, I'll keep buying them.
These blueberry and lemon hand pies are the perfect pastry for spring
These crescent-shaped mini pies tasted like they were from a local farmers market. The crust was thick and semi-flaky, with bits of yummy raw sugar on top and imprints that gave them a rustic feel.
Each pie was loaded with a bright, semi-sweet filling made primarily with puréed blueberries. However, a few chunks made it feel more like a homemade pie than a mass-produced one.
The use of lemon flavoring on the pastry made them significantly more tart than I expected, but I wouldn't call them sour. It's almost as if they're made to be consumed with sweet tea or vanilla ice cream.
For the price, these are a solid way to enjoy a fruity dessert without having to bake an entire pie. The fact that they're handheld is even better.
VERDICT: If you're a huge fan of blueberries, these are a must-buy. If you're pretty indifferent about them, this may not be for you. I found these hand pies to be quite tasty, but I'm not in a rush to buy them again because blueberries aren't my favorite. However, if Trader Joe's made these with other fruit fillings, I'd buy them.
These Sprinkles Walk into a Sandwich cookies are a fun treat for kids, but they were too sweet for me
These crumbly, buttery, cookie sandwiches took a while to grow on me, and I'm still not totally sold.
The thin layer of buttercream frosting had a super sugary sweetness with a slightly fluffier quality than I expected. This made the buttery flavor in the shortbread pop. The sprinkles, meanwhile, were a nice touch and provided a bit of fun texture.
Overall, each bite kind of tasted like a cross between vanilla Funfetti cake and a Walker's shortbread cookie.
I also thought the cookie part was a little bit too dry and could have been thinner. That said, I can see these being a hit with others looking for a sweet springtime dessert that's easier to transport than a cupcake. Kids will definitely get a kick out of them.
VERDICT: These cookies were a bit too sweet for me. Although they were decently tasty, I'm not in a rush to buy them again.
Trader Joe's Portuguese custard tarts totally lived up to the hype
I've been to Portugal twice, and the custard tarts — called pasteis de nata — are always a highlight. When the tarts are enjoyed fresh, they have a signature crunch that I love, so I was nervous to try these out of a box.
Fortunately, Trader Joe's knocked it out of the park. I popped all four tarts into my oven with the intent of sampling just one, and ended up devoured three in a sitting. The crust was buttery and flaky, and the custard center was light and creamy.
Best of all, they weren't overly sweet, which can sometimes happen with American custard tarts.
Nothing is ever going to be the same as getting pasteis de nata in person, but for coming out of a box and requiring pretty much zero effort (or travel plans) these were absolutely spectacular.
Verdict: I waited an entire year to finally get my hands on a box of these and have already stocked my freezer with several more for the season.
The goat's milk cheese rubbed with vanilla sugar has a unique flavor, but its sweet profile may not be for everyone
Made using goat's milk cheese that's aged for several weeks, this semi-solid cheese smelled and tasted faintly like a vanilla cupcake.
I found the cheese itself was overall very mild in flavor, but undeniably sweet. The vanilla notes were clearly detectable at the end of each bite. I can see this being a hit with people who like the idea of a sweeter cheese they can use on crepes or fruit.
That said, I was thrown off by the lack of tang I'm used to getting with goat cheese, and I'm not sold on the flavor yet.
VERDICT: I appreciate the creativity of this goat cheese, but don't know if I'd go out of my way to buy it again.
I was blown away by how delicious these Joe-Joe's with coffee creme were
These chocolate-dipped Joe-Joe's taste less like something from a grocery store's prepackaged cookie section and more like a dessert I'd expect to see behind a glass case. The cookie component was semi-soft, and the dark chocolate coating was smooth, thick, and delicious.
These tasted like the cookie version of a dark-chocolate-covered espresso bean. The layer of mocha filling in the center was fluffy and smooth, with a bold coffee flavor that was impossible to miss.
Overall, the flavor was bold and quite intense, with each bite offering a good balance of bitter and sweet tones. I also appreciated how large each cookie was.
VERDICT: The Joe-Joe's with coffee creme are now my favorite of the entire Joe-Joe's lineup.
The triple-ginger pretzels are a great spring snack for those who reach for pumpkin spice pretzels in the fall
As someone who usually reaches for pumpkin spice items in the fall, the ginger version of these pretzels is just right for spring. These pretzels are satisfyingly crunchy, delicately sweet, and delicious.
Despite the name, these pretzels weren't as front-loaded with intense ginger as I expected them to be. Instead, the spicy flavor came through on the finish of each bite, building a nice, warm sensation that tickled the sides of my mouth more and more with each successive bite.
Overall, I'd describe these as quite similar to pumpkin spice pretzels, with a slightly more peppery taste.
VERDICT: I'm already longtime fan of Trader Joe's various coated pretzels, and these are now giving the chocolate and peppermint ones some serious competition.
Trader Joe's all-butter shortbread sandwich cookies with raspberry filling were delicious
I honestly wasn't expecting these cookies to be as good as they were. I loved everything about them.
With their sleek, rectangular shape and striking layer of visible, bright red filling, these cookies were clearly made to be served on pretty plates with doilies on an outdoor patio.
The texture was crumbly, yet not as dry as I anticipated. In my opinion, the ratio of shortbread to raspberry on these cookies was just right, offering a yummy, slightly sweet, faintly tart, fruity flavor that resolved nicely into the delicious melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread.
VERDICT: For a boxed cookie, these were absolutely incredible.
Trader Joe's mini lemon sheet cake is the showstopper every spring brunch needs
I saw so much hype about this lemon cake online, and based on my experience, it's well-deserved.
The cake was exquisitely moist and its lemon flavor was fragrant and inviting without tasting overly sweet or artificial.
The lemon cream cheese was sublime. It tasted like a recipe from an Ina Garten cookbook that uses real lemons.
The dusting of lemon zest on top was a perfect garnish for a dessert this classy. If someone told me Trader Joe's lemon sheet cake came from a fancy bakery, I wouldn't question it for a second.
VERDICT: This cake is a high-quality gem. I'll keep buying it as long as it's in stores.
The spring gummies felt like a grown-up version of fruit snacks
These are the softest gummies I've ever purchased.
They resembled fruit snacks rather than traditional peach rings or gummy worms.
They had a pleasant, fruity flavor without tasting too sugary or hurting my teeth. However, the spring-themed shapes were a bit indiscernible (I think they were supposed to be birds), as were the flavors.
One gummy kind of tasted like raspberry, and another had a slightly sour, citrusy vibe. Still, the snack was as bright and vibrant as spring itself.
VERDICT: I probably wouldn't buy multiple bags per season, but I'd get one for snacking.
The dulce de leche ice cream was decadent, but also very one-note
This ultra-smooth, creamy dessert felt like pure decadence when it hit my palate.
The flavor reminded me of a light caramel candy. It was buttery, sweet, and milky.
Though this ice cream had a lot going for it, I thought it was a one-note dessert. The combination of dulce de leche and caramel tasted like one super sweet flavor stacked on another.
Even the caramel swirls, which required a bit of an excavation to find, were underwhelming. The near-uniform ice cream texture lost its luster after a few bites.
In the future, I'd pair this ice cream with something to cut through the sweetness, like salty pretzels or a dark chocolate brownie.
VERDICT: I wouldn't buy this as a stand-alone dessert, but I'd get it if I wanted an accompaniment that wasn't basic vanilla.
I wasn't impressed by the passion fruit meringue tartelettes
Trader Joe's passion fruit meringue tartelettes perfectly capture the vibes of an island getaway. After thawing for two hours in the fridge per the instructions, the vibrant yellow tarts looked like a cups of pure sunshine.
However, I took a tiny bite of this and felt my lips automatically pucker because of how intense the fruit flavor was.
If you don't love tart notes in a dessert, you will, like me, probably feel overwhelmed by this.
That said, even though it wasn't really my thing, I can still acknowledge that it's a good dessert. The texture of the main fruit component was perfect and I enjoyed the buttery shortbread crust.
The meringue also did a superb job balancing out the intensity of the tropical sweetness.
VERDICT: Although this wasn't for me, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a tropical-themed fruity dessert.
I had high hopes for the lemon poppy seed buns, but I thought they tasted dry
The box promised a lemon filling, but I didn't find anything inside these buns. Instead, it tasted more like they were baked with some sort of lemony extract or soaked in lemon glaze.
They were sweet like a slice of lemon cake, and the inside of each pastry had pockets of poppy seeds and sugar crystals. I also thought the pastry component tasted a bit stale.
VERDICT: As a diehard fan of lemon poppy seed muffins, these should have been up my alley. However, I thought they left a lot to be desired.
The chocolate truffle eggs are perfect for adults who miss getting an Easter basket
These felt like Trader Joe's take on a miniature Cadbury egg. Each chocolate truffle has a unique filling and is individually wrapped in colorful foil.
I was impressed by the selection of unique flavors including pistachio and cookies and cream.
The dark chocolate praline (my favorite of the bunch) was reminiscent of a Ferrero Rocher. The others tasted close to something you'd get from a pricy confectionery.
VERDICT: I'm a sucker for miniature chocolates, so I'd say this is worth the buy.
The chocolate break-apart bunny is (literally) filled with festive fun
If you grew up in the '90s, you probably recall a gimmicky confection called a Wonderball — a chocolate orb that featured character-shaped bits of candy inside.
This bunny kind of reminded me of one, but with a little more festivity and creativity. Along with being fun to break, the chocolate itself was yummy. It offered a smooth, milky flavor that's noticeably better than many other chocolate bunnies I've tried.
Inside, I found a treasure trove of sugar-dusted gummy carrots, making me feel like I was getting two treats in one.
VERDICT: Though this isn't something I'd go out of the way to buy for myself, I think it's an adorable idea for an Easter basket treat.
The Seville orange marmalade will make you forget other jams exist
Unlike jelly, this marmalade was much firmer and easier to spread, with actual pieces of orange peel dispersed throughout.
Its fruity, orange flavor was well pronounced and bright, with a combination of sweet and tangy notes. For me, what really made it stand out was that it had a unique bitter note. In some ways, it reminded me of Aperol.
VERDICT: I would buy another jar of this.
This story was originally published in April 2021 and most recently updated on April 17, 2025.
Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.
