Trader Joe’s Spicy Cheese Crunchies: Similar in shape, size, and consistency to crunchy Cheetos, these spicy cheese crunches from Trader Joe's have a strong hot-sauce flavor that tastes most prominently of chili and vinegar. It reminds me a bit of their bottled Chipotle Pepper hot sauce, which I enjoy adding a few drops of on scrambled eggs, but is not something I really want to eat by the handful. Overall, it's just so-so. 2.5/5.0
traderjoes spicy cheese crunchies 2.5
Koh Kae Spicy Hot Pot Peanuts Mala: Purchased from HMart in Midtown, this can of peanuts has a uniquely spiced chili flavor that actually does taste similar to a schezuan-style hot pot. It’s savory but not overly spicy, with just enough heat. The roasted peanuts themselves were pretty ordinary, but the seasoning makes them worth trying. 3.0/5.0
hmart asian nuts kohkae spicy hot pot peanuts mala 3.0
Pressed Juicery Apple lemon ginger cayenne pressed juice: Up to this time in my life, I have completely avoided the pressed juice craze, opting for fruit in the flesh. In fact, more generally, I haven’t bought a carton of juice from the grocery store in years. This particular bottle from Pressed Juicery was a freebie, given to patrons of the Nordstrom pop up on Melrose in LA. I was surprised by its potency, with an impressively spicy ginger and cayenne kick that will almost certainly catch most off-guard. The apple and lemon flavor was also clean t... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended drinks fruit spicy pressedjuicery apple lemon ginger cayenne pressed juice 3.5
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
Noosa Blackberry Serrano Yogurt: A surprisingly spicy yogurt whose heat builds up quickly, this blackberry serrano yogurt is too spicy to be a sweet and too fruity to be savory. The quality of the yogurt is as good as any other Noosa flavor: creamy yet thick, with enough moisture to not need an accompanying glass of milk. It’s not a snack I plan to return to, yet I think it’s commendable for Noosa to take this risk and give us something I haven’t seen before. 3.0/5.0
spicy noosa blackberry serrano yogurt 3.0