By Julia Langer

If you’re an avid Trader Joe’s fan, you know just how big of a deal the fall season is. From apple cider spread to pumpkin dog treats, the store adds fall flavoring to just about every item they sell. 

I bought, tried, and rated five different Trader Joe’s fall products so you don’t have to. Here are my thoughts:

Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s

I was very excited to try this first treat, but I was soon to be disappointed. Though the box smelled of vanilla pumpkin candles, the cookies smelled a little better than they tasted. We couldn’t see ourselves having more than one or enjoying them in any season other than fall. The filling was relatively thick and had a somewhat synthetic taste. The cookie to filling ratio was also uneven, but may be just right for those of you who think double-stuffed isn’t enough. 

Rating: 5/10

Fall Harvest Salsa

I was pleasantly surprised by this product. It had a seasoned kick without being eye-wateringly spicy, which I enjoyed. Although the salsa had us coming back with chip after chip, the autumn flavors were hard to distinguish. Also, the salsa is very chunky with large pieces of vegetables mixed throughout, so if you are texture-sensitive, this may not be the TJ’s item for you.

Rating: 7.5/10

Riced Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Risotto

This risotto is extremely sweet, with a hint of maple flavor. The sweetness is somewhat overpowering, but I see it as a side complement for a fall dinner with friends. The texture was a bit off-putting — it resembled baby food but also had large pieces of squash mixed in. But if you like very sweet, very soft foods, add it to the cart. 

Rating: 7/10

Creamy Cashew Pumpkin Spice Yogurt

While cashew yogurt may not be many peoples’ first choice, some options aren’t too bad. But this isn’t one of them. It tastes similar to the smell of spoiled milk with a splash of pumpkin.

Rating: 2/10

Pumpkin Spice Hummus

This one is controversial. It is the pumpkin pie equivalent of brownie batter hummus, so if you’re a pumpkin pie lover, grab some pretzels, bananas, or crackers and dig in. This hummus is extremely sweet, and the pumpkin taste is strong, so if these types of flavors aren’t your thing, tread carefully. You will either love or hate this one. 

Rating: either 8/10 or 3/10 depending on your feelings about pumpkin spice