Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies - Trader Joe's VS Aldi
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans! I know the history behind this National holiday is bloody, and horrible, but hopefully you're able to take advantage of this day off to spend time with your families, relax, and eat some yummy food. (Also, don't you dare go out shopping today! Stay in and play X-box with your cousins or something.)
Today I have a special post for all you Aldi haters out there. Guess what? Aldi and Trader Joe's are "Sister companies," that's right! They're related, and the last few months, Aldi has been getting all kinds of Trader Joe's goodies as a lower price point! Don't believe me? Well check this out.
Two products with the same description, in two different packages, in two different stores, at two different prices. I'm pretty sure both of these are the same exact product, being repackaged for each store, but I decided to compare the two to be absolutely sure.
ROUND 1: PACKAGING
Looking at the two boxes, both brands have positives and negatives. I like that the Trader Joe's box is clear, allowing us to see all of the cookies inside, and I like that the package is held together with a cardboard band, but I hate the design. That oval emblem and color scheme are too put of place.
On the other hand, the Aldi version is less sleek and impressive looking overall, but their pumpkin illustration and emblem are much more appealing. Ideally, I would love to take the Trader Joe's package and swap the emblem out for the Aldi one, which would be a lot nicer looking, but as-is, Trader Joe's wins. It's more presentable as a hostess gift.
The packaging inside is 100% the same. You have two clear plastic trays, individually wrapped, with the same exact fluted cups.
Round 1 Winner: Trader Joe's (Outer packaging)
ROUND 2: TASTE
I opened both packages, and both scones look and smell exactly the same. They're small, spiced, and they smell like Pepperidge Farms' Gingerbread Men. They're more spiced smelling than pumpkin-y, but they're both really appetizing.
I took a bite of each scone, and I WAS FREAKING RIGHT! They're both the same! These have a soft, but dry crumble, similar to a shortbread cookie. The flavoring is lightly sweetened, from the added glaze, and the cookie is delightfully spiced and delicious. It almost melts in your mouth, and I imagine these would be fantastic if you paired them with tea or coffee on a cold fall evening.
Round 2 Winner: TIE - they're the same product and taste the same!
On the left we have the Trader Joe's package, which sells for $3.49 cents and contains 16-total scone-cookies. On the right, we have Aldi's version of the same exact thing, same amount of scone-cookies, but for only $2.99. So Aldi is about .50 cents cheaper.ROUND 3: PRICE
Round 3 Winner: Aldi
On a Pumpkin Scale of 1-5 (5 being the most pumpkin-y) I’d give this a 2.5! Their more spiced and gingerbread-y than pumpkin-y, but they are delicious! Since I'm all about saving money, I think the Aldi product is superior, because it's the exact same cookie for less money. However, if you're looking for something that's a more visually appealing hostess gift this holiday season, the Trader Joe's version is the prettier and more presentable of the two. Sometimes Foodie Overall Winner: ALDI! (Hooray for cheaper but still yummy cookies!)
It is interesting that both are "related". Trader Joe's is more of like "poor man whole foods" because they are more centered into healthier selections and non-GMO. Not to mention the fun quirky décor and their interesting selections (always rotating around and working very close to the community to get the best local foods) Aldi's is more of like a good grocery stores for pick-ups like extracts and cereals (knock-offs Lucky Charms)
ReplyDeleteTJs and Aldi are more like estranged second-cousins than "sisters." But I'll leave the fact checking to you....
ReplyDeleteYou're right, estranged second cousins is a better way to put it. (But it doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well.) The bottom line is both chains carry a lot of the same generic products from suppliers, but sell them at different price points.
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