Candy Blog

1. 

   You’re back on the Trader Joe’s kick…  How about some more reviews of things that are either generally available, or really hard to get.  (Hard to get would be the Japanese candy.)  I still don’t have a Trader Joe’s anywhere near me, as they seem to fear the Midwest….

   Comment by Cat Skyfire on 12/15/08 at 12:18 pm #
2. 

   Cat Skyfire - I’m really sorry. I recall your comment about this very issue last year so I specifically made this a post with two products - one TJs and one I thought was widely available.

   Comment by Cybele on 12/15/08 at 12:30 pm #
3. 

   Hey Cybele - have you tried the Newman-O’s?  They have a mint version that would be YUM covered in chocolate.  I may have to make some as gifts.  Of course, I can’t give them away until I “test” them…..

   Comment by April on 12/15/08 at 2:02 pm #
4. 

   It’s a pity I can’t stand Oreo mint cookies.  But then, I compare all mints to the Thin Mint variety.  Although that just made me think: These are more cookie like than candy.  Are we broadening, or just opening the definition a bit now and then?

   Comment by Cat Skyfire on 12/15/08 at 5:20 pm #
5. 

   Have you tried Emily’s dark chocolate covered mint sandwich cookies? They’re pricey (mine were free review samples, which is what makes being in this business so great) but decadent.

   Comment by Rosa on 12/15/08 at 6:48 pm #
6. 

   I love those chocolate covered mint Oreos!  There really does need to be more mint-based sweets.  Also, I wish Trader Joe’s would come to Montana.  There’s a World Market in Billings, but that’s hideously expensive, and only carries dry goods. *Sigh*

   Comment by Porgy on 12/15/08 at 9:24 pm #
7. 

   Trader Joe’s doesn’t fear the Midwest, they have 32 stores in the region!  <http://www.traderjoes.com/locations.asp>

   I probably would have tried the TJ version over Nabisco, but we’re about to have 6 in the household for the next 2 weeks, instead of our usual 5, and the Nabisco variety would be more easily divided amongst that group…

   Comment by Tricia on 12/16/08 at 7:15 am #
8. 

   I tried the TJ’s ones a couple of weeks go - I liked them (Dark chocolate and mint - what’s not to like?) but for some reason they did not really satisfy my sweet tooth. And for 150 calories a pop, I’d like something that would at least make some headway.

   I really enjoy your reviews on TJ’s products as I shop there almost exclusively. And, really, if I tried everything in their sweets aisle by myself (especially during the holidays), I’d weigh about a hundred pounds more.

   Comment by L on 12/16/08 at 9:59 am #
9. 

   Please do a cookie blog.  If I actually knew how to write I’d do one in a heartbeat!  Little known fact, the Cookie Monster is based on me.  Except, I’m not blue, fuzzy or a monster.

   Comment by Amanda Medley on 12/16/08 at 11:24 am #
10. 

    Tricia : I think we have different definitions of the Midwest.  I’ve never really considered Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin the Midwest.

    But then, I’m in Nebraska.  From Texas to North Dakota, a straight band of no Trader Joe’s.  They aren’t in Iowa as well.  They do have something in Missouri…but only on the east, specifically St. Louis (big big city.)  I’ll give them credit for Minnesota, but that’s still a long ways away from me.  Also nothing in Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming.

    Comment by Cat Skyfire on 12/17/08 at 5:23 am #
11. 

    “I?ve never really considered Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin the Midwest. “

    The United States Census Bureau has defined the Midwest as: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Guess it is not up to us to define.

    That being said, I no longer live in the Midwest, but in Cali and I LOVE the Trader Joes reviews. If you don’t have a TJ’s, then just consider this exotic and rare like Japanese candy .

    And Cybele - keep ‘em coming!

    Comment by KateC on 12/17/08 at 7:02 am #
12. 

    I love TJ’s reviews, because I always see their sweets and wonder how they compare to the mainstream brands (this review is perfect!).

    Comment by Carrie on 12/17/08 at 10:42 am #
13. 

    That’s an interesting point.  I’ve always thought of Montana as the Northwest along with Washington, Oregon, etc.  Alas, I’ll have to wait til I go out to Washington again to check out the nearest TJ’s.

    Comment by Porgy on 12/17/08 at 6:56 pm #
14. 

    I also tried the TJ’s mint covered Jo-Jos recently for the first time - was disappointed on the first bite. I found the peppermint flavor rather harsh and overwhelming, as per your first comment about the smell, Cybele - the mint flavor (in addition to smell) also overwhelmed the chocolate.

    Like someone else noted, at 150 cals per cookie, and a relatively hefty price point ($3.99), I think I’ll skip these from now on.

    If you haven’t already tried TJs choc-covered sea salt caramels, they are DELISH!!!  I’m addicted. (After wiping off the overwhelming amount of sea salt - one grain will do ya.)

    Comment by Karyn on 12/18/08 at 6:31 am #
15. 

    I’ve only ever had the oreos, Cause I live in Canada. there really good.

    Comment by Sean on 2/27/09 at 6:53 pm #
16. 

    this blog sucks. why are they dangerous in your house. wtf

    Comment by lata on 2/06/10 at 12:31 pm #
17. 

    lata - you see regular readers know that I like sweets and for the most part Candy Blog reviews candy. Most candy I review comes in small single portion packages. A full pound of something would be very tempting to eat - while a smaller box

    You see, you just had to think about it for a moment. Writing that explains it all without allowing you to fill in a few of the gaps is insulting to most intelligent people. Most of the Candy Blog readers are intelligent as you can see above they’re able to carry on a civil conversation about the boundaries of the Midwest without abbreviating insults.

    Comment by Cybele on 2/06/10 at 12:38 pm #
18. 

    w/e

    Comment by lata on 2/06/10 at 2:57 pm #
19. 

    It was inevitable that a culturally illiterate pipsqueak would wander into this blog at some point.

    I received some TJ’s mint Jo-Jos for Xmas. I love mint, I love oreos, esp chocolate covered ones (DARK, available at some local chocolatiers).  For some reason I cannot STAND the TJ’s mint jo-jos. I find the texture of the cookie kind of mealy (not as crispy as Oreos) and the mint overwhelming. Disappointing.

    Comment by Karyn on 2/09/10 at 11:01 am #
20. 

    My Japanese friend was asking me to send a bunch of Mint chocolate products for this holiday season. She said It is hard to find choco-mint snacks in Japan. I guess they’re not so big fan of mint chocolate flavors. I saw milk chocolate covered oreo at Target last week, and wondering how’s the taste…is it good enough as a gift? This review helped me so much! I’m going to Trader Joe’s and get the dark chocolate covered mint joe joe & oreo at Target today!! Thank you!

    Comment by Boa Hancock on 12/17/10 at 9:33 am #
21. 

    I tried the peppermint Joe Joe’s that the store was passing out. DELISH!!!!! #10

    Comment by Carol on 1/09/15 at 6:27 am #

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