Trader Joe's Caramel Flan

Trader Joe’s Caramel Flan review time, and I’m walking into this one with both excitement and emotional baggage. Why? Because Sonia grew up with flan. Not just eating it. She and her mom can apparently both make it from scratch. Homemade. Authentic. Creamy custard greatness. And yet, have they ever made it for me? No. Never. Not once. I’m not bitter. I’m just flan-deprived.

My personal flan reference point is far less sophisticated. I’ve had it from a couple of decent Mexican restaurants, sure, but my main benchmark is the flan from El Pollo Loco. Years ago, I used to grab that stuff regularly. It was cheap, it was decent, and it scratched the caramel custard itch. I haven’t had it in a long time, but that’s the nostalgia baseline I’m working from.

Enter Trader Joe’s Caramel Flan. And wow, this stuff is legit. Both Sonia and I immediately agreed this is among the best flan we’ve had. The texture is creamy and thick, not watery or overly jiggly. The caramel flavor is bold and forward with a rich sweetness. There’s also a subtle vanilla-esque undertone that rounds everything out nicely. It tastes balanced and surprisingly premium for a refrigerated grocery store dessert.

You get two cups for $3.49, which feels like a steal for this quality. We tried one the “proper” way: flipped upside down onto a plate. And the other we ate straight out of the cup. Flavor-wise, no difference, but presentation definitely changes things.

The plated version looks fancy, like you slaved away in the kitchen. The cup version? Way less messy. When you flip it, the caramel sauce slides everywhere like it’s trying to escape. I actually prefer eating it right from the cup where you've got maximum caramel control. Sonia says plating it looks nicer. She’s not wrong, but I might be lazy.

In the end, we’re both giving Trader Joe’s Caramel Flan eight and a half out of ten stars. Creamy, caramel-forward, affordable, and absolutely worth picking up. Would buy again. And until the beautiful wifey finally makes me some homemade flan, this might be my go-to.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's New Zealand Organic Sliced Cheddar Cheese

Trader Joe’s Organic New Zealand Cheddar Cheese is a stellar sliced cheese selection. Imported from New Zealand and made with milk from grass fed cows, this certified organic cheddar comes in at just $4.99 for 8 ounces, and it punches well above its price point.

Right away, the texture stands out. Sonia mentioned it reminded her of Havarti, and that’s spot on. It’s creamy, smooth, and almost velvety as it melts on your tongue. This isn’t a crumbly, dry cheddar. It’s soft and pliable, which makes it incredibly versatile. Flavor-wise, it lands right in that sweet spot between mild and sharp. Aged 3–6 months, Trader Joe’s calls it “subtly sharp,” and I’d agree. You get a gentle tang and savory depth without any aggressive bite. It’s approachable but still very interesting.

I vaguely remember Trader Joe’s offering a different New Zealand cheese years ago that we never tried and honestly, I’d heard some negative reviews of it. If this is the redemption arc, it’s a strong one. This cheese is excellent.

It’s great for simple snacking. I loved eating it plain or stacked on crackers. It also made a fantastic grilled cheese, melting beautifully into a smooth, creamy layer without getting super oily. But the real standout moment? We put it on bison burgers with arugula, brioche buns, and just a few dabs of ketchup and mustard. That combination was next level. The cheddar melted perfectly, adding a buttery richness that tied everything together without overpowering the burger.

For an organic imported cheese at this price, it’s hard to complain. It’s versatile, flavorful, and easy to love whether you’re snacking or cooking. I’m giving Trader Joe’s Organic Sliced New Zealand Cheddar Cheese nine out of ten stars. Sonia comes in just behind me at eight and a half out of ten. Either way, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

Bottom line: 8.75 out of 10.