Jelly Bean Hearts ($1.49)
These sweet treats come in an assortment of three flavors: cherry, strawberry and the less common coconut. The coconut is by far the best inclusion — buttery and sweet in just the right amounts that let the subtle coconut flavor shine through. Though not particularly special, the strawberry is fruity and fresh, and the cherry manages to escape the trap of a typical artificial cherry flavoring, instead striking a more neutral tone. The texture further elevates these heart-shaped tidbits with a firm coating and satisfyingly chewy inside. The portion size is larger than it looks and worth the price — definitely shareable, but just addictive enough to have you fighting over the last one.
RATING: 4/5
Dark Chocolate Bark with Puffed Quinoa & Dried Raspberries ($5.49)
Enclosed in whimsically giftable pastel-pink packaging, the Dark Chocolate Bark with Puffed Quinoa & Dried Raspberries leaves a strong first impression. The sheets of textured chocolate are generously portioned, each roughly the size of a Pop-Tart. Their size and considerable width make them awkward to break apart neatly as the chocolate softens quickly in your hands.
Unique texture is this dessert’s standout element, as puffed quinoa distributed throughout the bark adds a delicate crunch and keeps the dark chocolate from feeling too dense. The chocolate itself is smooth and rich, and its sweeter taste compared to other dark chocolates gives the bark a more indulgent quality.
However, the dessert’s raspberries fall short: because the berries are dried and sparse, their flavor is muted and fades quickly instead of delivering the tartness needed to contrast the chocolate’s sweetness. Without that sharp element, the chocolate’s richness can become overwhelming after just a few bites, making it difficult to eat much in one sitting.
RATING: 3/5
Raspberry Mousse Cakes ($3.99)
In keeping with the Valentine’s Day theme, Trader Joe’s turned its seasonal mini mousse cakes raspberry flavored. Or so one would think — the cakes the company claims are “bursting with ebulliently bright berry flavor” hardly taste of raspberry at all. Instead, the flavor is dominated by the cloying sweetness of the icing, which drowns out the cake base’s flavor. In terms of texture, the cake is oddly dense and grainy. However, there are some redeeming qualities, namely the aesthetic presentation and pleasantly light, creamy texture of the mousse. Though the flavor suffers from unbalanced ratios of berry, vanilla and sugar, this remains a passable choice for its apparent main purpose — cute photos.
RATING: 2/5
Sour Strawberry Candy Belts ($3.49)
These strawberry-flavored sour candy belts are especially addictive, striking a delightful balance between acidity and sweetness. This rendition manages to achieve a rare depth among sour candies: unlike some sour candies that rely solely on acidity for impact, the Sour Strawberry Candy Belts maintain a recognizable fruitiness throughout. Though their sugary coating is prone to stickiness, making them slightly messy to handle, it is no more inconvenient than most other versions of sour candy belts. The candies are bright and satisfying, and their excellent flavor balance makes it difficult to stop at just one.
RATING: 4/5
