Saturday, December 24, 2011

Trader Joe's - Raspberry & Vanilla Cream Bars

Trader Joe's Raspberry & Vanilla Cream Bars

Product of Australia

Contains 8 bars (40g) each
Net wt 11.29 oz (320g)
Serving Size: 1 bar (8 servings in the box)
Calories: 80

Special Labeling:
Contains Milk
No Gluten Ingredients Used
Kosher


Each bar comes in an individually wrapped bag. The appearance was not what I was expecting though. It did not look like the front of the box. All of them had the same appearance.


It tasted okay, but overall it was smaller and did not look as good as it appeared on the box. In general, it was not what I was expecting.


Hibiscus Herbal Tea

Hibiscus Herbal Tea

Bought from: Wegmans

Label information:
Origin:
     China
Seeping Instructions:
     Use 1 tsp per 8 oz water.
Water Temperature:
     200 - 212 degrees F
Time:
     4 - 6 minutes
Ingredients:
     Organic Hibiscus
Unit Price:
     $29.99 / lb

A picture of 1 tsp of tea

Following the directions in Tea Sampling Method, the tea is brewed using the label information. The resulting tea is a much darker red than I had expected.

The flavor is very different from other teas. I do not think it is very good hot. However, when it is room temp, the flavor is much better.

Other notes:
Based on the Hibiscus tea - Wikipedia article, it appears Hibiscus tea has a number of studies showing that it reduces blood pressure. Also, it is possible that it has a number of other positive health effects.

Tea Sampling Method

Tea Sampling Method

I have found the ability to buy small amounts of a wide variety of teas. Keeping track of which teas I have tried and the properties of each one has pushed me to develop a standardized method.

Each tea has a different temperature and time for brewing. To ensure that each tea is created following the directions indicated, I use the listed procedure:

1. Heat water in a pan on the stove monitoring the temperature with a meat thermometer. The thermometer I use is a IKEA Fantast Meat Thermometer. The water is heated until the water reaches the middle to upper range of the indicated brewing temperature.

2. While the water is heating, a picture of the dry tea is taken in a white container.

3. The water is moved to a measuring cup (which drops the water a few degrees) and the tea is added.

4. The tea is brewed for time indicated.

5. Pouring through a strainer, the tea is transfered to a cup.

6. A picture is taken of the tea is taken, and then drank.

An example picture of the cup with water is presented as a reference to compare the color of different tea brews.

Ikea - Fantast - Meat Thermometer

Ikea - Fantast - Meat Thermometer

This meat thermometer at IKEA is just labeled as "Fantast" on the box and instruction manual.


It is dual mode with both a thermometer and timer. However, changing from timer mode to temperature mode will clear the timer. The mode is changed on the back with a slider switch (circled in yellow in the picture).

I have written on the front the temperature at boiling in order to ensure calibration is within a few degrees. For me, the temperature read 210 or 212 F. Based on reported temperature, the boiling point should have been 211 - 212 F. At this point in the scale the resolution is 2 degrees. For the lower ranges, the resolution is 1 F.

Specifications:
Timer max: 99 minutes, 59 seconds
Temperature alarm max: 130 C (266 F) (beeping will start if actual temperature is above the set temperature)
In count up mode, timer resets to 0 if it passes 99 minutes, 59 seconds.
Timer is reset by pushing up and down together.
Magnet on the back for storage.
Operated by one LR03 AAA 1.5 V battery.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Trader Joe's - Kefir Strawberry

Trader Joe's Kefir Strawberry
(with other natural flavors)
 

Serving size: 1 cup (4 servings in the container)
Calories 170

Other labeling:
Kosher
Keep refrigerated
Shake well
Cultured after pasteurization (low fat milk)

Appearance:

It is hard to tell from the photo since the bowl is also slightly pink, but the Kefir has a pinkish color. The consistency is smooth (except for the bubbles from shaking) and creamy. The flavor is not strong, and it does taste like strawberries. It is not too thick, but it will leave a coating on the cup. However, the coating is easy to wash off.

I feel that is it easier to drink Kefir than to eat yogurt. The yogurt like flavor does not seem to be as strong in this product as it does in regular yogurt.

Trader Joe's also sells a regular version. It is similar to yogurt yet distinctly different. I am thinking to try other versions that are available.

Trader Joe's - Holiday Paper Bag

Trader Joe's Holiday Paper Bag

I was in Trader Joe's recently and instead of getting the usual paper bag when checking out, I received a holiday version. Pictures of the front and back:

I thought it was interesting that they have holiday version.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Trader Joe's - Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snack

Trader Joe's Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snack
Cost: $0.99
Product of Korea
Net WT. 0.4 OZ (11.3g)

Special Labeling:
Vegan
No Gluten Ingredients Used

No Artificial Colors or Flavors
No Preservatives

Nutrition information:

Serving Size 1/2 Package (5g) for 30 Calories.

Closeup of the seaweed:

The powdery appearance is the wasabi. Trader Joe's also sells a regular version without the wasabi. After eating both, I prefer the wasabi version, but it is not mild. So unless you like wasabi go with the the regular version.

This product, as it is from Korea, appears to be more like seasoned Korean seaweed that you can buy from Asian food stores. I say this because it is coated with a very light oil and does not taste like plain seaweed. Overall, the amount of oil and seasoning is somewhere between Korean style and plain style.



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Trader Joe's - Panettone (Trader Giotto's)

Trader Giotto's Panettone (Trader Joe's)
Traditional Italian
Oven-Baked Cake
Cost: $4.99
Product of Italy
Net WT. 26.5 oz (1LB 10.5 OZ) 750g
Special labeling:
No Artificial Colors or Flavors
No Preservatives

Nutrition Information:
Serving size is 1/9 of the cake for 300 Calories. 

Close up of the cake
I was able to open the box on the bottom and pull out the cake. The cake itself is in a plastic bag with a twisty tie, and has some sort of paper wrapped around it. There is also a paper cover on the bottom. 

This cake only has "Sultana Raisins" (Turkish rasins according to package) and "Candied Orange Peels" added to it. I think this much better than other similar cakes because I do not like lots of the candied fruit. The cake is also moist inside; it is not dry at all. The front also indicates that it is made with "Creamy French Butter." However it is made, it is made very well.

The only problem I have had eating it, is that my knife is not long enough to cut to the bottom. This usually results in loosing the bottom inch when I try to get a piece. This is in no way fault of the cake itself.

Considering it is a seasonal item, I think I may get another before they disappear. The stores around where I live seem to sell out of the seasonal items very fast.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Trader Joe's - Holiday Popcorn Tin


Trader Joe's Holiday Popcorn Tin
Price: $9.99
Net Wt. 19oz (1 LB 3 oz) 539g
Special labeled notes:
No Gluten Ingredients Used


The tin has 4 individually wrapped bags of popcorn. The flavors are Caramel, White Cheddar, Kettlecorn, and Olive Oil. The individual bags is a nice touch, especially with the 4 way divider to keep everything from moving around.


The label indicates that there are no artificial colors or flavors. For a holiday popcorn, this means the color of the corn is a bit pale. I was unable to determine which popcorn was which by color alone. However, the flavor is excellent.

Overall, while it is a little more expensive than other options, I think the lack of coloring and good flavor more than make up for the cost. As an additional benefit, there is a plastic wrap around the lid and top of the can to protect it from scratches during initial use. I removed the plastic from the lid to make it easier to open, but I left the plastic on the top of the can to protect it from the frequent opening and closing.