- Groceries
- Trader Joes
Ali Domrongchai
Ali DomrongchaiAssociate Editor, Groceries
Ali Domrongchai, a Southern-raised, Brooklyn-based food writer, grew up around her family's Thai restaurant that sparked her initial love for food. (Fun fact: her grandparents briefly ran a Thai grocery store in the 70s). In this space, her curiosity on the role that food plays in building community lead her to pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts in American Studies with a focus on the ways in which pad Thai affects the Thai American experience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.She joins The Kitchn as an Associate Editor for the Groceries vertical. Before this role, she held staff positions at Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Allrecipes. Her words and recipes have also been featured in Cook's Country, Simply Recipes, and EatingWell. Oh, and most importantly, she can’t go more than a few hours without a sweet treat.
published Aug 23, 2024
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This time of year, you’ve got two kinds of people: the ones clinging onto the last sun-soaked day of summer and those who are already drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes. My feelings on the matter shift with the day — sometimes on the hour — but I know I’m truly ready for the crisp change in weather when Trader Joe’s rolls out its autumn goodies.
Because I’m frequently in the store (you’ll find me making regular trips to Trader Joe’s two or three times a week), I can confidently tell you that summer isn’t quite over yet; just the other day I spotted a new mango and sticky rice snack. While the grocer has not fully become a shrine to fall yet, I’ve noticed a few of its seasonal fall favorites — both new and returning — have started popping up on shelves.
Fall may not officially be here, but if you’re like me and want to sneak a bit of autumn joy into your week, here are three Trader Joe’s items that just hit shelves.
1. Apple Cider Donuts, $4.49 for 6 donuts
You’ve heard it here, folks! Trader Joe’s iconic Apple Cider Donuts are back, which means that fall can’t be that far away. I hadn’t had these beauties in forever and finally grabbed a pack this week. These cake-like donuts are expertly spiced with the ideal sugar-cinnamon topping (it’s about half and half), and their delightful apple essence will make you feel like you’ve spent the day outside at an orchard. With the exception of making them on your own, these are some of the best apple cider donuts around.
Enjoy them straight from the pack and, for an extra touch of fall magic, microwave them for 10 or so seconds before eating. It’ll make them slightly warm and soft, like they just came out of the oven.
2. Turkey Chili with Beans, $2.69 for 15 ounces
Hear me out: chili is the ultimate fall food! It’s hearty, packed with tons of warm spices, and is exactly what I crave on a chilly day. Plus, it’s made with canned tomatoes, which is like a signal that summer is coming to a close. So when I spotted Trader Joe’s Turkey Chili with Beans back on the shelves (after a multi-year hiatus!), I felt all the fall vibes.
I went home, heated it up, and absolutely loved it. It’s got a bit of heat from jalapeños and chile peppers that balances beautifully with the ground turkey and red beans. I loved it as is (with a dollop of sour cream on top), but am saving the other half to top off some nachos for a tasty lunch later.
3. Organic Apple Cinnamon Fruit Sauce Crushers, $2.99 for 12.7 ounces
Cinnamon is practically the spice ambassador of fall, so Trader Joe’s debut of its brand-new Fruit Sauce Crushes in apple cinnamon feels like a sneak peek of the delights to come. (It’s almost as if they’re giving us a little nudge to get ready for the season).
It’s made with just three ingredients: organic apple purée, organic cinnamon powder, and ascorbic acid (naturally occuring vitamin C) and tastes like pure fall. It’s got almost a velvet-like texture that feels a bit more refined than applesauce from a container and plenty of cinnamon flavor. In addition to taste, I’m a huge fan of the shape and portability of these snack pouches, so I’m excited to keep one or two in my bag for busy weekdays.
What Trader Joe’s item are you most excited about this fall? Tell us in the comments below.
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