Most Trader Joe’s shoppers have a favorite product – the frozen Mandarin orange chicken or the Joe-Joe’s sandwich cookies, perhaps.
Whatever it is, it’s something that draws them in regularly despite the almost universally cramped TJ’s parking lots.
One of my sleeper hits is available right now, but don’t wait, because it’s a seasonal item and won’t be on the shelves for long.
Head to Trader Joe’s and scoop up the limited-edition Taste Test of Caramels, a long and attractive box of 12 fancy dark chocolate-dipped caramels, each with a different decadent flavor.
Recently, I bought so many boxes that the TJ’s cashier and I laughed about how we could possibly cram them all into one bag.
The Taste Test of Caramels is just $7.99, meaning each mouthwatering chocolate costs about 66 cents.
There’s not a bad flavor in the bunch. Hot Chili (not uncomfortably hot) is my favorite, followed by mellow Maple. Other offerings include Passion Fruit, Gingerbread, Fig & Honey, Salted Lavender, Caramel Mousse, Double Espresso, Sea Salt, Creme Brulee and Salted Torte.
These aren’t cheap-tasting caramels. The chocolate is rich and sweet, and the caramel is thick without being messy. The flavors are just right – they accent the chocolate and caramel perfectly without tasting artificial. For $8, this is a high-class, almost-gourmet indulgence.
I can’t think of a teacher, neighbor or friend who wouldn’t love this gift. And more than a gift, it’s a game.
The names of each flavor are on the outside of the box, true, but you’re meant not to know which is which until you taste them. Grab a friend and a knife and slice the candies into quarters, then see who can identify the most.
The answers are provided on the bottom of an inner box, so you won’t see spoilers unless you go looking for them.
Here’s a vital tip only a Taste Test of Caramels veteran would tell you: If you want to know which caramel is which, slide off the sleeve covering the box and sit at a table. Then, lift the divided plastic holder out of the bottom half of the box and immediately set it on a solid surface. Now you can flip the inner box over to determine the flavor order without spilling the caramels.
Trust me, I have tried to remove the wobbly plastic holder full of caramels and just lift it an inch or two to more easily peek at the answers. Even before I could begin to read the flavor answer key, I accidentally scattered delicious caramels everywhere. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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