This here is one of my favorite, tried and true Trader Joe picks. As much as I love trying new stuff, it's good to have some reliable products that you can count on to work for you when you don't want to think about what to eat. Plus. The packaging. So matte. So pretty.
I should preface this - Trader Joe's is one of the best places to pick up nut butters. For the quality, variety, and price, it's hard to beat. We usually buy peanut butter, because it's A's favorite and he's the one primarily responsible for plowing through a jar every two weeks. Almond butter is considerably more expensive, typically 1.5-2x the price of a natural peanut butter. Apparently it costs more to grow almonds. This jar used to run anywhere from $6.99 - $7.99, which is right on target with the market price. I've seen this go for $10 in other stores. Crazy. So whenever I'm feeling splurgy (I'm sorry. My desire to save money just can't justify plopping down $8 every other week for a new jar that we will just plow through), I pick it up. I guess that's how you know you're moving up in life - if you can add $2 for avo and add $8 for almond butter.
BUT THERE WAS A RECENT PRICE DROP TO $5.99! I don't know how long this will keep up. I realize Costco carries almond butter at an even better price (under $5 per pound), but I haven't tried it and what business do I have buying a 2-lb jar? Where do I store it? It's so huge. But anyway, this was enough a discount for me to throw my hands in the air and wave it around like no one cares. Cuz they don't. I'm in my own world when I'm at TJ's. :P
Cashews aren't my favorite nuts. Haven't tried cashew butter yet (it's even more expensive than almond butter). Not to worry - you can't taste the cashew here.
Anyhoo - I accidentally picked up the creamy salted version instead of the unsalted (they also have salted and unsalted chunky versions). Actually, I quite like it. The salt brings out the nutty almond flavor even more. It's creamy, buttery, and has an ever so slight bit of sweetness. It's quite satisfying smothered on toast in the mornings or whenever really. Like any natural nut butter, this does require a bit of stirring and it's definitely drippy at first when you open it, but it does "firm up" after refrigeration. And even though it is creamy, it has a little bit of grit (you can see it through the jar), not in a bad way, but in a way that you know this buttery goodness came from real almonds. A doesn't like this nearly as much as I do - he prefers classic peanut butter - but it gets the job done. Me? I have to stop myself from eating this right out of the jar. :P
I love this so much - can I beg thee Trader Joe's? This rocks. Never change. Please don't ever do anything dumb like add pumpkin spice.
TL;DR: Trader Joe's Creamy Almond Butter. Drippy, almond-y, creamy delight begging to taken home. 9 out of 10.
Related Posts: Mixed Nut Butter
I didn't realize the price dropped!! I love their almond butter because the addition of cashews gives it a more creamy texture. And for me the salt is very important to really highlight the almond flavor. Just store the jar upside down, then you don't have to stir it much.
ReplyDeleteI love almond butter on apples but for sandwiches i want the salted peanut butter from the fresh made pb machine at whole foods.
Ttrockwood
I love your blog! I recently stumbled upon it and have had fun reading your posts. I used to enjoy Trader Joe's Almond Butter as well. Now I make my own using Trader Joe's Dry Roasted & Unsalted Almonds. In my opinion, it is much tastier and the texture is far better. I always felt there was more oil than there should be in TJ's Almond Butter, making it way too drippy (even when refrigerated in my experience). If you have a Ninja (or VitaMix or something similar), it is really easy to make your own - all you do is pour the almonds in and press go! (Of course, you can add salt to taste.) Keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete