Trader Joe's Matcha Almond Beverage: I was really excited to see this Matcha-flavored almond milk at Trader Joe's because I've recently become accustomed to making chia-seed pudding at home, which requires the use of non-dariy milk. As a beverage on its own, it's just ok - the matcha doesn't have the distinct bitterness of a quality matcha drink, but it does taste familiar. They're like the Trader Joe's Matcha Joe Joes - they're perfectly enjoyable as a snack but the matcha flavor is not very good if you really judge it solel... (read more) 3.0/5.0
drinks greentea nondairy traderjoes matcha almond beverage 3.0
Luscombe St. Clements citrus soda: Almost every time I have a Luscombe soda, I think it’s the best one yet and likely the best version of that particular flavor of any brand I’ve had. I really enjoyed this clementine soda, which has a bright, clean, yet concentrated orange and lemon citrus flavor. It’s clear they’ve taken great care to use the freshest fruit. Definitely one of the best sodas I’ve had. 5.0/5.0
exceptional soda organic drinks st. clements citrus 5.0 luscombe
Trader Joe's Ghosts & Bats Crispy Potato Snacks: These thinly-sliced potato crisps are light and definitely more like crispy crackers than potato chips. Very strong potato flavor. They taste the most like french fries of any potato snack I've purchased off the shelf largely because it has an aftertaste that is reminiscent of fried foods. The shapes are super cute and perfect for the Halloween season. If I were to bring snacks to a Halloween party, this would be it. 3.5/5.0
recommended halloween holidays traderjoes ghosts bats crispy potato snacks 3.5
Otafuku x Medetai Red Bean Taiyaki: Otafuku x Medetai is a small Japanese to-go street food shop in the East Village specializing in okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and taiyaki. Taiyaki is a classic Japanese dessert with a fish-shaped waffle exterior and different fillings inside (traditionally red bean). They make all their taiyaki from scratch here, filling their detailed custom molds with batter and producing 6 fishies at a time, all of which you can watch. This was probably the freshest taiyaki I've had -- it came out pipping h... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional nyc japanese otafukuxmedetai red bean taiyaki 4.5
Bao Tea House Chocolate Milk Bao: This is a special at Bao Tea House in the West Village that will be added to the full menu soon (in that way, it’s more of a preview than a special). Ordered in sets of two, the chocolate baos are coated in melted milk chocolate and slices almonds, with chocolate chips and a cream filling. I’m not a very big chocolate fan, so this wasn’t really a dessert for me, but texturally I liked the combination of crunchy and soft. The cream filling was a bit overwhelming though; it felt more like calo... (read more) 3.0/5.0
manhattan nyc desserts sweets baoteahouse chocolate milk bao 3.0
Trader Joe's Candy Corn Popcorn: Even though I don't particularly like candy (you may notice I review very little of it here), I still like Halloween because it's the only time of the year I can have Butterfingers. And I actually do like candy corn in small quantities, even though it essentially tastes of pure sugar. I bought this Candy Corn Popcorn on an impulse buy at Trader Joe's in Brooklyn, where the lines snake very intentionally around the snack aisles. The snack tastes like caramel popcorn, except instead of just... (read more) 2.0/5.0
traderjoes candy corn popcorn 2.0