Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Coconut Cookies: Smaller and less rich than Samoas, these chewy coconut cookies can be purchased outside of Girls Scout Cookie season. The salted caramel contributes to the texture but it not seasoned as much as I would expect for a salted caramel. Slightly larger than a quarter, they are snackable and good for portion control. 3.5/5.0
recommended traderjoes salted caramel coconut cookies 3.5
宮木製菓 Assorted rice crackers: Purchased from Tokyo Fish Market, this mix of glazed rice crackers and peanuts is very yummy, with a balanced savory sweet combination (but mostly sweet). My favorite is topped with a nori coating. It's like an Asian version of popcorn mix, but significantly better. 4.0/5.0
recommended japanese asian peanuts tokyofishmarket assorted rice crackers 4.0
Nestle Butterfinger: As a child of the 90s, it's difficult for me to see a Butterfinger and not think of Bart Simpson. But it isn't the marketing that makes this candy good – it's that Butterfingers has captured a part of the candy market with few, if any, competitors that are able to replicate the same crispy and buttery consistency it is famous for. While others are similar in flavor, like Mary Janes, the flaky texture of the Butterfinger far surpasses that of any wafer candies (such as Kit Kats) or harder t... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended candy chocolate nestle butterfinger 4.0
Hershey Whoppers: There are only a handful of mass-manufactured candies I enjoy but never actually purchase; instead, I wait for Halloween to find them for free. One of my favorites is the malted milk balls known as Whoppers, which provided my first experience with malted foods. I couldn't care less about the subpar milk chocolate coating, which I see only as a protector for the malted interior, which easily dissolves on the tongue and has a satisfying barley flavor. I credit Whoppers to opening the doors ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
candy malted recommended chocolate hershey whoppers 4.0
Master Wang's Bakery Mochi: Brought back from Taipei, this brand of mochi treats comes in a variety box with individually-wrapped peanut, sesame, and red bean mochi. Since mochi is my favorite dessert, I can be an especially tough critic when it comes to this Japanese specialty, and it's not often I'm introduced to a new take. But after trying this brand, I've learned about a completely different texture of mochi that's slick rather than firm. While it's coated with a layer of starch like most packaged mochi is, biting... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended taiwanese redbean sesame peanut masterwangsbakery mochi 4.0
Smari New Orleans Coffee Organic Icelandic Yogurt: I finally purchased this brand of icelandic-style yogurt, and since I now wake up earlier and tend to eat yogurt for breakfast, I thought I would combine a bit of caffeine into my morning routine (without having to actually brew coffee). The rich whole milk yogurt is not as thick as Siggi's or Fage but also creamier and smoother, with specks of coffee bean throughout. The coffee flavor itself is excellent – slightly bitter and not too sweet. Definitely one of the most memorable yogurts I'... (read more) 4.0/5.0
berkeleybowl recommended smari new orleans coffee organic icelandic yogurt 4.0