Trader Joe's Spicy Porkless Plant-Based Snack Rinds: I haven't had many versions of vegetarian "rinds," but Trader Joe's uses a base of rice and peas while still capturing the wrinkled, puffed texture of pork scratchings (though they lack the oily texture you typically get from meat-based snacks). They're flavored like a sweet barbecue with a kick just spicy enough to make the "spicy" labelling accurate. A good alternative to those who like scratchings but can't eat meat (or choose not to). 3.5/5.0
recommended traderjoes spicy porkless snack rinds 3.5 plant-based
4505 Spicy Green Chili & Lime Pork Cracklins: Cracklings are one of the few meat-based snacks you can find in the snack aisle in western grocery stores (compared to the variety of seafood-flavored options you have in Asia), and cracklings seem to represent the most moorish cravings, with their typically high salt and fat content. This bag from San Francisco-based BBQ shop 4505 features pork skin covered with a spiced green chili powder and a bright finish of lime. I found them to be a little bit on the salty side and much crunchier (a... (read more) 3.5/5.0
cracklings ballardmarket 4505 spicy green chili lime pork cracklins 3.5
Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Lemon and Strawberry Apple Cider Vinegar Drink: I really enjoyed the ginger and lemon apple cider vinegar beverage I previously purchased from Trader Joe's, which is a fairly classic flavor combination as far as shrubs go. This strawberry lemon version is a little more unique and was equally refreshing – the berry flavor is tart and sweet, and overall the drink is well balanced. I was very sad to see that these drinks may now be out of season at TJs but I hope you get to try it if you come across it on the shelves. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks traderjoes organic sparkling lemon strawberry apple cider vinegar drink 4.0
Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Ginger and Lemon Apple Cider Vinegar Drink: I really like the acidity of shrubs, so I was excited to find some apple cider vinegar drinks at Trader Joe's. This one combines two of my favorite flavors: ginger and lemon. I wish it had a little bit more spicy ginger flavor but otherwise was very good - you get the tanginess of the vinegar combined with the acidity of the lemon, without being overly sweet. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks traderjoes organic sparkling ginger lemon apple cider vinegar drink 4.0
Gelatiamo Organic Peach Sorbetto: Gelatiamo is a gelato brand from Seattle you can find in local restaurants. Their peach sorbetto was excellent - very smooth and perfectly captures the sweet and tart flavor of a fresh peach. A little bit sweet for my taste, but not overly sweet by normal standards. 4.0/5.0
recommended seattle gelatiamo organic peach sorbetto 4.0
Sun Tropics Golden Curry Mochi Snack Bites: This is the second flavor I've had from Sun Tropic's Mochi Snack Bites line, purchased at Ballard Market. The Golden Curry flavor has a warming spiced flavor that I haven't seen in many western grocery stores, and it has an unexpectedly sweet aftertaste. The bites are crunchy and dense but in a filling, substantial way. Would definitely purchase again. 3.5/5.0
ballardmarket recommended suntropics golden curry mochi snack bites 3.5