Product Review: Hoody’s Essentials Orchard Trail Mix

Virtually every time I go to Costco, I check out the snack aisles. I am not sure what I am looking for, given that I tend not to eat much candy (and if I do, I prefer to get it 90% off at CVS/Walgreens/Target/Walmart after holidays…peanut butter pumpkins in March or red and green M & Ms in August, anyone?) or dried fruit (I like it on occasion but would almost always choose fresh fruit instead). However, I still browse these aisles, thinking that maybe a new trail mix will spark my interest (after all, as I previously reviewed, the cashew crunch is fantastic  https://cruisingcostco.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/product-review-kirkland-cashew-clusters/). Over the past several months, I have repeatedly taken a second look at the Hoody’ Essentials Orchard Trail Mix. However, although thinking it looked good, I never bought it, thinking that I was unlikely to eat such a large jar of a mix. However, when I saw I on a “97” at the Waltham location a few weeks ago, I couldn’t resist trying it. Now, as I have written about before, a “97” often indicates that a product is being discontinued https://cruisingcostco.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/price-endings-are-not-random/ . Therefore, perhaps it is silly to review it. However, it may still be sold at other locations and/or perhaps it will return, so it is worth a few paragraphs of review.

This trail mix contains five things: sugar coated pecans, cashews, cinnamon apples, craisins, and raisins. My favorite component is the pecans. Although not unusually a fan of pecans (I much prefer cashews, almonds, pistachios…actually, pretty much any other nut except for peanuts and walnuts), the cinnamon sugar coating makes these nuts absolutely delicious. They are crunchy and sweet, but not cloying.

A close second favorite are the dried apple squares. When I first saw this mix, the apples appealed to me the most. When I do eat dried fruit, apples are one of my favorites, but I am always disappointed that they are so sparse in most mixtures (I think they tend to be in a ratio of about one apple slice to every 10 prunes!). These apple chunks are about the size of starburst candies. They are firm but chewy and coated with cinnamon and sugar. The first bite is underwhelming, with only a slight sweet apple taste. However, about two seconds later, a strong apple flavor, reminiscent of apple crisp, fills the mouth. Thinking it was unusual to have such a strong delayed flavor burst, I asked a few other people to try the apples. I watched their faces as they tasted the bites, and I could tell that, at first, they did not find anything special about the apples. However, a few seconds later, their faces lit up as they experienced the explosion of flavor.

The remaining three ingredients are good but not particularly notable. I love cashews and enjoy eating these ones but they are not as large, crunchy, or sweet as the deluxe version sold in the Kirkland brand mixes. In terms of the craisins and raisins, I generally find that I can eat a few, but prefer them in small quantities mixed with other foods. This mix is no exception. The craisins provide a slightly sour contrast to the sweet apples and pecans. The raisins don’t add much but are a decent fifth component to the mixture.

Overall this mix is great. I enjoyed it plain as an afternoon snack but I imagine that it would make a good topping for oatmeal, plain yogurt, or even a salad. It is filling, relatively nutritious, and easy to transport, making it a good portable snack at any time of the day.

I am debating buying another while still available.

Have you tried this mix? Favorite part of it?

Any other dried fruit/nut mixes at Costco that you would recommend?