Jessi Zheng, Grade 11, Staff Writer
Crunchy Curls: 3.5/5 stars
Crunchy Curls were my most anticipated snack to review, as I had seen multiple people raving about their deliciousness online. So, I wasted no time in opening them, cracking them open with my friend on our journey home on the Long Island Railroad. Upon opening the large bag of “tasty lentil and potato snacks,” I was immediately hit with a scent slightly reminiscent of pork rinds.
This surprised me, as I had not expected the curls to have a scent to them. However, I was happy to see the generous portion size inside the bag. My friend and I each grabbed one curl and popped it into our respective mouths. My first impression was one of disappointment, as the curl tasted bland with only the slightest hint of salt. My friend echoed my sentiment and I put the bag away, feeling disappointed. When I arrived home, however, I decided to give the curls a second try.
There had to be a reason why they were a fan favorite, right? I cozied up in my bed, grabbing a cup of Cranberry Lemonade and opening Netflix to continue watching Good Girls. This was a better environment for a snack taste test. As I watched the middle-aged moms scam unsuspecting grocery store employees, I found myself mindlessly grabbing the curls from the bag and eating them. Paired with the refreshing-ness of the Cranberry Lemonade, I had a much more enjoyable experience the second time around, as the juice combatted the dryness of the curls.
By the time I was done with one episode, I had almost eaten through half of the bag. While the flavor of the curls is faint, its addictive taste makes it clear why it’s a fan favorite. However, I would not go out of my way to grab the snack on my next Trader Joe’s trip, as I am unable to get past the blandness of the curls themselves, making its rating a solid 3.5 stars.
Crispy Crunchy Okra: 4.7/5 stars
Having already tried this product in the past, I was excited to eat them again. I remember my first experience with Crispy Crunchy Okra was when my sister and I had raided the pantry of my cousin’s house. I had always enjoyed eating fried okra as a child growing up in the South, so I was excited to try the air dried version.
Upon opening the bag, the portion size is generous, a quality that all Trader Joe's snacks have in common. The exterior of the product cracked between my teeth, and I discovered crumbs on my clothing. The messiness of the product only docks off .3 stars, because this quality is to be expected of any freeze-dried product.
The seeds of the product are airy and the product has a slightly slimy texture, mimicking the taste of fresh okra. The packable size of the product makes it well-suited for a healthy snack on the go. The convenience of the snack, compiled with its similar taste to fresh okra, makes its rating a 4.7, with the .3 being knocked off due to its messiness.
Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips Chili and Lime Flavored: 5/5 stars
Another fan favorite, the Rolled Corn Chili & Lime Flavored Tortilla Chips, otherwise known as the Trader Joe’s Takis. Having been familiarized with the original Takis during my middle school years and seeing the high ratings of the product online, I had high expectations for the Trader Joe’s dupe. These expectations were met, and dare I say exceeded, in my first encounter with the chips.
While the chips looked like they lacked flavor due to the scarcity of the chili and lime powder on the product, they did not disappoint in the slightest. The corn flavor of the tortilla chip mixed with the sourness of the chili and lime seasoning made my experience ten times more enjoyable, as the product offered a more diverse array of flavors compared to its competitor, the Taki chip, whose chip is bland and lacking flavor, in my personal opinion.
Having exceeded the high expectations, I confidently give this product a 5 star rating, and would definitely recommend it to a friend.
Trader Joe's Snack Haul