Trader Joe’s New Snack Is Getting Rave Reviews (But Is It Too Expensive?)

Trader Joe’s may not be the most expensive supermarket in the world (hello, Erewhon), but it’s also not exactly cut-price. Yes, there are plenty of ways to stretch your money when shopping there, and a lot of its items are competitively and affordably priced, but like any supermarket, it’s easy to see your bill spiral out of control. And, just like anywhere else, that can quickly happen if you’re going for its newer, perhaps more trendy items, which offer novelty – but at a cost. 

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This week, one such item has dropped, and customers are debating whether it’s actually worth it. Let’s discuss.

Trader Joe’s Freeze-Dried Queen Pineapple

Trader Joe’s has just dropped its new Freeze-Dried Queen Pineapple in its snack section, and it’s clear from the outset how much work TJ’s has invested in this one item. To make each 1.2 oz. bag, Trader Joe’s uses nine ounces of queen pineapple (which, it points out on its website, is the “sweetest pineapple varietal in the world”), which it then dries, concentrating its flavor and making an on-the-go treat. You’re only getting pineapple here; no added sugar, no fillers, no strange flavors or mysterious preservatives. 

So far, this snack has been a bit of a coup for Trader Joe’s. Its customers have flocked to social media to praise its Freeze-Dried Queen Pineapple, with one person on Reddit saying that “It’s as close to natural candy as you will find.” Another customer stated, “These are not safe anywhere near me.” When compliments sound vaguely like threats, you know that something’s good. 

But What’s The Price?

So, here’s the issue. Each bag costs $3.79…and that’s for 34 grams of freeze-dried pineapple. Despite the clear quality of this snack, it’s a price that some people are balking at. “Cannot bring myself to pay that much for a few bites of pineapple,” said one shopper on Reddit – one of several who find this fruit a little too pricey. 

Unfortunately, though, this is just the case across the board when dealing with freeze-dried fruit. It takes a lot of fresh stock to produce a relatively small yield, and a lot of pricey equipment to make it happen. Furthermore, I would gently point out here that Trader Joe’s Freeze-Dried Queen Pineapple is cheaper than the types you’d find at other retailers: At Target, for example, its Good & Gather Freeze Dried Pineapple is $4.39 for a single ounce. So, yeah, this Trader Joe’s snack will cost you — but you could also do a lot worse.