HUFFINGTON
03.10.13
TASTE
TEST
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$2.19
$2.29
$4.19
VEGETARIAN CHILI
PRETZEL CHIPS
TRADER JOE’S VS. AMY’S
TRADER JOE’S VS. SNACK FACTORY
TASTING NOTES: Upon first tasting, there’s no
difference between these two products. So we took a
closer look and noticed a few differences in the amount
of tomato chunks and the level of spice, but they’re
such slight differences that the same could be found
among any two cans of the same product. And then, the
kicker: After the blind tasting, we looked at the cans and
noticed the chili images on each label were identical,
convincing us that …
TASTING NOTES: The Trader Joe’s product comes
in small, broken pieces, but appears to be just a
broken version of Snack Factory. All of our tasters
agreed that the flavor and crunch factor of both
products are identical.
THE VERDICT: They’re probably the same product.
$2.99
$3.69
THE VERDICT: These are probably the same
product, but we’re guessing Trader Joe’s sells the
broken leftover pieces from Snack Factory at a
discounted price.
$5.49
RAISIN BRAN
TRADER JOE’S VS. POST
TASTING NOTES: There is no question that these two
products look different. The Trader Joe’s version is darker
brown and tastes a bit maltier, while Post tastes sweeter
and more “cardboard-like.” Overall, our tasters preferred
the Trader Joe’s version.
THE VERDICT: These are different products. (But you may
want to save some cash and try the Trader Joe’s version.)
$1.99
$4.99
O’S CEREAL
TRADER JOE’S VS. CHEERIOS
TASTING NOTES: Trader Joe’s O’s are paler and have
a milder taste, whereas Cheerios are darker and have
more depth of flavor. This leads us to believe that …
THE VERDICT: There is a difference in the quality of
these two products; however, it’s possible that Joe’s O’s
are the undercooked Cheerios rejects.