Trader Joe's Mango Jalapeño Apple Fruit Snacks: These strawberry shaped dummies are shaped as if they've been stamped rather than molded, a straight extrusion of a 2d profile. They have a dense rather than chewy texture similar to a thick piece of fruit leather. Its flavor combines several concentrates, including apple, mango, and lemon, and it's finished with jalapeño pepper powder. You can definitely taste all of those individual ingredients – there's a pleasantly spicy aftertaste and the lemon juice helps balance out the sweetness of... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended traderjoes mango jalapeño apple fruit snacks 3.5
Trader Joe's Jalapeño seasoned corn and rice puffs: My sister sent me an awesome birthday present from the US: a box of Trader Joe's snacks. I've been away from the US for 9 months now (!) and before that, was mostly shopping at the Park Slope Food Coop, so I haven't had a chance to try their seasonal snack offerings for a long while, which is one of the main reasons I enjoyed shopping there. Normally, puffed snacks made of alternative grains like rice and quinoa (as opposed to the more typical corn puffs) are too soft in texture or have a ... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended traderjoes jalapeño seasoned corn rice puffs 3.5
Lundberg White cheddar & jalapeño baked grain bites: I know Lundbergh from their rice crackers, but this is the first time I’ve seen a snack from them that’s shelved outside of the health food aisle. Baked puffed “grain bites” have a bit of heat but largely taste imbalanced, with a white cheddar flavor that doesn’t quite mix with the brown rice taste. Crispy snack is reminiscent of chicharrones, but lighter and of course without meat. 2.5/5.0
organic lundberg white cheddar jalapeño baked grain bites 2.5
Food Should Taste Good Jalapeño tortilla chips: I’m generally a fan of the Food Should Taste Good brand, which in my eyes is Frito Lay for adults. Their range of chips are healthier yet still tasty and familiar, like these jalapeño tortilla chips. The chips are definitely spicy, with a heat that cumulates and overall flavor reminiscent of a good salsa minus the tomato. Well balanced, with the sweet flavor of bell pepper combined with a tasty spice blend. A very likable snack. 4.0/5.0
recommended spicy berkeleybowl foodshouldtastegood jalapeño tortilla chips 4.0
Wild California Mango Jalapeño Crisps: Purchased from Monterey Market in Berkeley, these fruit crisps are a great snack in many ways. They’re sliced just right so that they’re crunchy but not hard to bite into, and the amount of spicy heat is surprisingly potent but well balanced with the sweetness of dried mango. While crisps like these tend to be paired with cheese or dip, I found them to be satisfying all on their own. 4.0/5.0
recommended montereymarket fruit spicy wildcalifornia mango jalapeño crisps 4.0
Smartfood Spicy Jalapeño Ranch popcorn: For last minute ingredients, I sometimes find myself at Safeway when all other options are closed. Their snack aisles are stocked with brands Berkeley Bowl would never carry, including this bag of Frito-Lay Smartfood popcorn. I still remember enjoying the white cheddar popcorn in lunch bag snack packs growing up, so I decided to give this spicy jalapeño ranch flavor a try. It was spicier than I expected, but I don’t think jalapeño and ranch are a particularly good flavor combination; on thei... (read more) 2.0/5.0
smartfood spicy jalapeño ranch popcorn 2.0