At first, the craze was over the Trader Joe’s cauliflower pizza crust. Then, it was the cauliflower gnocchi that couldn’t stay stocked in stores. (Side note: I once witnessed a woman load her cart with eight bags of cauliflower gnocchi. I almost told her there’s a two-bag maximum per customer, but that would have been a lie. She got away with the gnocchi.) And Trader Joe’s orange chicken has been a fan-favorite for more than a decade—when Trader Joe’s shoppers fall for something, they fall for it hard. So, what’s the latest product that Trader Joe’s junkies are going wild for? It’s sweet. It’s vegan. It’s watermelon jerky. Watermelon jerky may sound like an odd snack, but it’s prepared the same way as other dried fruit. The only ingredient is watermelon, too, so there’s no need to worry about added sugar or preservatives. But does it taste good? Well, good taste is in the tongue of the taster, or something. I could (and have) easily eat a giant bag of dried mango and apricots in a single sitting, so I’m pretty familiar with dried fruit snacks, and I felt that the watermelon jerky was really sweet. And while it’s definitely a healthier snack alternative than processed chips or super-salty crackers, it’s not super nutritious: One package, which is one serving size, contains 38 grams of sugar and 39 grams of carbs. Knowing that, I’d rather indulge in Trader Joe’s sweet plantain chips and peanut butter cups, but that’s just me. If watermelon jerky sounds at all appetizing to you, it’s worth spending the $3.69 to at least give it a try. I bought a bag for my mother-in-law and she “accidentally” left it at my house after sampling a piece, but don’t let that discourage you from trying it for yourself—it could be your next go-to TJ’s treat. The watermelon jerky is still a relatively new addition to the Trader Joe’s lineup, so it may not be available just yet. If and when you do spot it at your local store, though, it may be worth a taste test of your own. And if you’re not a fan of the watermelon jerky, the next eccentric (and potentially delectable) Trader Joe’s product is just around the corner.
