Our spring break started last week and although we stayed home, we've been on college tours, to the rodeo, to the movies (McFarland, USA), and to the symphony. (Actually, kiddo and his friends went to the symphony...I stayed home and watched Netflix in my pjs. I'm not sure what this means.)
Two more days until it's time to start thinking about packing lunches and setting the alarm for 5:45 again.
So, we're back this week with a three-for-one. We've noticed these little bags of mini chocolates at the registers before and have always resisted. This week kiddo suggested we review all three. Yes, he's definitely my child.
This week, we review: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels, Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee, and Dark Chocolate Mints. You'll find all of them near the registers. The bags contain 2 ounces of chocolates and cost $1.49 each.
A mom's (my) take: Let's start with the caramels...soft, creamy center, thick chocolate coating. They remind me a lot of these. I'd definitely pick these up when in need of a chocolate fix. The toffees...crunchy, rich centers with a thick chocolate coating. A nice mix of almond and butter flavors made even more delicious by the chocolate. The mints...soft peppermint center with a thin chocolate coating, surrounded by a crunchy, chalky candy shell. Do you love those pastel "butter mints?" You'll love these. I, on the other hand, do not.
Overall rating:
Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels: 5 of 5 stars
Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee: 4.5 of 5 stars
Dark Chocolate Mints: 2 of 5 stars
A teenager's (kiddo's) take: Mints: Nice, peppermint-y start, but that's basically the entirety of it as well. I can taste a little chocolate, but not enough -- peppermint overload! Caramels: Cool, thick outer coating of chocolate, which you cannot really taste until you get into the caramel itself. The caramel has a sophisticated, delicious flavor. I can definitely detect vanilla, and a wonderful saltiness appears after several seconds. Finally, the toffee: The chocolate coating has a fantastic taste, which caves nicely into the brittle center of toffee. Its flavor has a very nice, almost burnt quality to it, which (to me) makes it all the more appealing.
Overall rating:
Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels: 5 out of 5 stars
Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Dark Chocolate Mints: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Trader Joe's Cash Register Goodies: Stick with the caramels and toffees.
Read all of our Trader Joe's sweet treats and dessert reviews!
