Friday, September 23, 2011

Trader Joe's Fruit & Nut Trek Mix Granola Bars

Relatively recently, we reviewed the Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, and a long time ago, we reviewed the Omega Trek Mix, neither of which were particularly successful. They weren't awful, but neither one even got our "really darn good" status. With this product, Trader Joe's combined two classic snack ideas into one. They dropped the "Omega" from the Trek Mix and they exchanged the chocolate for sweet cranberries and cherries, both of which were smart moves.

This product tasted healthy, yet naturally sweet. There was no nasty Omega 3 fatty acid aftertaste, and no weird, fakey sweetener to rot my teeth. The whole oat grains looked hearty and untouched, right down to the perfect split up their middles.

All of the fruits, though compacted and compressed, were moist and chewy, and they blended perfectly with the brown rice base and brown rice syrup that bonded all the ingredients together.

Trek mix and granola bars are both excellent choices for mid-hike pick-me-ups or for tide-me-over-until-dinner snacks. These bars are the best of both worlds, and they have the double-threat of simultaneous crispiness and chewiness going on full-force. Snacktacular.

As satisfied as I was with the fruits and grains, I should mention that these bars were a little lacking in the nut department. I suppose I did detect an almond or two, but considering that these bars have the word "nut" in their title, they could have been a little nuttier.

I can definitely see myself buying these reasonably-priced granola bars again. They didn't quite change my life or make me cry any happy tears, but they're a tasty, filling snack-food with a pleasant cranberry-ish flavor. I have absolutely no problems with chocolate, but I would recommend these over the Chocolate Chip Granola Bars any day. Sonia and I both give them 4's.

Bottom line: 8 out of 10.

7 comments:

  1. I hate the "fruit and nut trek mix" (pink box) ones. Reminds me of birdseed. I do like the orange boxed Peanut Butter coated&drizzled, and the blue boxed ones with fruit, nuts, and chocolate chips.

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  2. Have you seen the snack packs of dried fruits and mixed nuts? Plenty of nuts and just the right amount to perk me up in the afternoon at work.

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  3. You don't like these granola bars, relique? I thought they were good, but the peanut butter ones sound really good, too. I thought the Omega Trek Mix itself was so-so. Bentley, I only tried one other trail mix snack that was a little better. It had nuts, dried fruit and chocolate. I never reviewed it though, and I forgot the name of it, and I haven't noticed there lately...

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  4. I love these granola bars! I shop at TJ's religiously and buy up all of their granola bars, chocolate chip, peanut butter, and trek mix. Also their fruit bars are really excellent as well.

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  5. lovely blog idea!
    I am glad i came across this.

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  6. Thank you for making this site! I go to Trader Joe's all the time, but never know what is good to buy! Your blog was a great idea.

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  7. After a brief search I don't see one of my favs at TJ's. In a light,pastel and very unassuming box.....Gorganzola Crackers. All the taste...fraction of the calorie. I write a blog (mainly food)www.sueslifeinbalance.com . I was thinking about writing a post of my favorite TJ product...I will link to your site. What Fun!! Sue

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