If there’s any store that specializes in autumnal vibes, it’s Trader Joe’s. If you’re looking for fall flavors and feelings, it is definitely the place to be. Last weekend I took a trip out to Trader Joe’s to see what seasonal specialties they had to offer. Below are my reviews of what I picked up and what you should try for yourself!
Pumpkin Spice Chai and Pumpkin Spice Coffee:
I’ll be honest here: I am unashamedly a Pumpkin Spice girl. When I saw that Trader Joe’s had pumpkin spice coffee grounds and chai mix, I got pretty excited. Both are delicious and affordable do-it-yourself substitutes for those Pumpkin Spice Lattes we all know and love. In fact, if you mix a weak brew of the coffee with about a scoop and a half of the chai mix and stir in a little almond milk, you’ve got yourself a pretty good makeshift PSL. The coffee comes in a generously sized 14 ounce can and sells for the same price as the rest of Trader Joe’s grounds at $7.99. The chai mix is just $3.99 for a 10 ounce can, which will give you way more product for the same price as a single cup from your favorite café.
Honey Crisp Apple Cider:
As a Michigan girl, I love me some apples. I’m pretty picky about my cider, and sometimes store-bought just doesn’t cut it when my cravings for authentic, straight-from-the-mill cider hit. Thank the lord for Trader Joe’s Honey Crisp Apple Cider. It’s 100% cider, meaning that the only ingredient is Honey Crisp apples. It is truly to die for, and tastes especially cozy if you pour some in a mug and heat it up in the microwave for a couple of minutes. This delicious beverage will only cost you $2.99 for a 64 ounce jug, so get it while it lasts!
Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Pumpernickel Pretzel Sticks:
A mouthful in more ways than one, these autumn-y snacks are perfect pairings for the drinks up above or as an addition to your favorite fall meal. I know pumpkin spice pumpkin seeds sound like the concoction of a fall-phile gone too far, but they’re the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy. They sort of taste like pumpkin pie, but with a little more cinnamon spice and a hint of saltiness. As for the pumpernickel pretzels, if you’re the kind of person who normally scoffs at pretzels for being tasteless and boring, give these a try. The pumpernickel flavor makes them taste heartier and almost spicier. They’re super addictive, to the point where I polished off half the bag before I could even take a picture for this article. Both snacks are super affordable, with the seeds at $2.99 for an 8 ounce bag and the pretzels at just $1.49 for a 9 ounce bag.
Pumpkin Pie Mochi Ice Cream:
This one is actually something my friend picked up but let me try, and as weird as it sounds, it’s actually pretty good. If you’ve never tried or heard of Mochi ice cream before, they’re little balls of ice cream that are covered in a layer of dough-like sweet sticky rice. Usually you find them in Japanese restaurants or in the international food sections of grocery stores, but Trader Joe’s has adopted them and added a sweet pumpkin pie flavor. It’s almost remarkable how much these taste like pumpkin pie, actually. They’re sweet with a hint of cinnamon, and the doughy layer gives them the texture of pumpkin pie filling. If you’re already a fan of Mochi ice cream, or if you want to try something a little different for dessert, you can pick up a six-piece box for $3.49.
If these aren’t quite the treats you’re looking for, you can check out the rest of the fall items in the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer.