Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies – 4.5/5
These small shortbread cookies were absolutely delectable. In one crispy bite, I was met with the sweet, surgery taste of the yogurt, then delightfully hit with the pumpkin spice, creating a unique flavor experience. Not only do these cookies taste spectacular, the attention to detail in the shape and design of the cookies adds to the anticipation for fall. The cookies are coated in either white or orange frosting and shaped like mini pumpkins, making them not just tasty, but also cute. However, the box is a half-filled tragedy and the underwhelming amount fails to satisfy the immense cravings one gets after a single bite.
Pumpkin Loaf – 2/5
I have tried many pumpkin breads before, but none compare to the catastrophe that was the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Loaf. The confusing jumble of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cloves, floods your taste buds and hides the pumpkin savor that should be the main focus of the bread. What is meant to be a beautiful fall treat transforms into a chaotic muddle of seasoning. The swamp of flavoring combined with the thick and dense texture of the bread make it almost impossible to eat at all. The only redeeming feature of this item is the crystallized sugar sprinkled on top, but it does little to offset the discontent that comes with the Pumpkin Loaf.
Maple Pancake Snaps – 3/5
I was not quite sure what I was expecting when I chose this product, but I was ultimately disappointed. These cookies were crispy and filled with maple flavor, but in many ways, they were too sweet and buttery. After eating two, I needed a glass of water to wash away the strange combination of tastes in order to even consider taking another bite. While these cookies did succeed in creating an autumn inspired experience, they were otherwise mediocre and unexciting.
Pumpkin Spice Flavored Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate – 4/5
As someone who does not drink coffee regularly, I was pleasantly surprised by this cold brew concentrate. I mixed one part concentrate with one part water and one part milk, ensuring that the coffee was not too bitter. The pumpkin spice flavor was present in the coffee, yet not overpowering. The subtleness of the other spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg and orange peel, enhances the taste of the coffee without being intoxicating. While the price for this 32 ounce coffee concentrate is staggeringly high at $8.99, it can make 8 to 12 cups of coffee. In addition, it is brewed with Arabica beans for up to 24 hours, emphasizing the coffee’s decadent piquancy. For the distinctive autumnal taste and high quality, the price is certainly worth it.
