Not only is there plenty of sugar here, but these don't really taste like oranges. I mean, I know they're made of orange slices. And they're definitely citrusy. But I think what throws me off is that they left the rind on. And I've mentioned before that I'm not huge into eating orange peels. I don't know many people who are.
Perhaps there's a reason why Trader Joe's suggests you do things with this product other than eat it. The back of the packaging recommends using them as garnish on cocktails or as decorations for cakes and cookie platters. On that front, I can't really argue with them. Orange is my favorite color, and I've never minded splashes of it here and there. The write-up on the wrapper also insists that you can consume the attractive little slices, but it does so quite unconvincingly. "This stuff's non-toxic, we promise!"*
Once opened, the package gives off a bizarre fermented fragrance—not unlike what I'd imagine marmalade left in the sun might smell like after a day or so. The taste is a little more pleasant than the aroma in my opinion, but again, the bitterness of the rind spoils a good bit of the sweet flavor of the fruit itself. The slices are sticky with sugar, somewhat difficult to chew, and bits of the candied fruit cling tenaciously to your teeth once you've begun masticating.
Orange is the new blecch!
Orange is the new blecch!
Sonia was even more repulsed than I was. She literally exclaimed, "Oh God! That's awful!" upon first bite. I think this is her first time giving ZERO stars to a product. I'll give them a generous one and a half, mostly for their decorative value. This might be a return here. Or we might throw a cocktail party and put them to use as garnish, as mentioned above. If the drinks are strong enough, some of our guests might even get crazy enough to eat them.
Bottom line: 1.5 out of 10.
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*That's not actually written on the packaging.
140 calories and 31g sugar for 3 orange slices!! Orange slices jelly candy has less calories and grams sugar for the same serving sice. I don't even need to taste it to give it 0 stars.
ReplyDeleteYup. 31 of the 40 grams is sugar! I spotted these early thois week, decided not to give them a try as I don't eat as much dried fruit as I think I do (based on a few half-eaten packages in the pantry.) Looking at the nutrition info (which I didn't do) would've made it a definite no-buy.
DeleteI love these and only wish they offered a chocolate dipped version too
ReplyDeleteYou could do it at home! Just buy some chocolate and dip these.
DeleteI love these and do just eat them plain peel and all. Yummy
DeleteI think maybe if you use in cooking. As orange chicken maybe this would be useful. Rehydrate in orange juice maybe to give it flavor for orange cakes. Just return to the store. I do applaud TJ's creativity to find new products but sometimes it is a flop
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting idea. As much as I disliked them, I would totally try dropping them in orange juice for a while just to taste the result.
DeleteI really like these a lot, although the rind was inedible. I threw one in a cup of coffee, and shockingly it was really good.
ReplyDeleteI'm head over heels in love with these things. I've always loved candied orange, and so these are right up my alley -- sweet, rich, with that bittersweet rind. I'm stocking up in case they're too 'weird' for TJ shoppers and discontinued soon.
ReplyDeleteI find it really mysterious that the vast majority of facebook comments agreed with our assessment of this product and yet these vague, barely-used blogger and livejournal accounts disagree here on the blog.
ReplyDeleteOh well, more for you guys, I guess.
When you Google "sweetened dried orange slices," this blog comes up as one of the first hits. Swear I'm not a shill. :-) I really like them, but I tend to like really strong flavors.
DeleteI just googled these because I just discovered and wanted to see what people were using them for and what they had to say. I am so shocked - lol. I LOVE these - I don't eat cookies or other sweets so this is a great little snack (2 or 3 a day). I also chopped up a couple and put in glass with vodka and mango polar seltzer for a yummy cocktail!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these too - I mean if you love marmalade, how can you dislike these? And yes, rind and all.
ReplyDeleteHope it's okay to revive an old thread! When I was a kid, my mother would candy orange peels every Christmas. The bittersweet flavor was wonderful, although eating too many could make your mouth numb from the essential oils. A couple of these are nostalgic for me, not to mention a little dessert that doesn't make me feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteI actually like these. I can see them soaked in some brandy or rum and be used in a fruitcake . I'm one of the odd people who like fruitcake so that's probably why these appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteI love these!! My local store is out and I found this thread searching for someone who stocks them online!
ReplyDeleteThese are terrific -- rind and all. Especially the RIND!
ReplyDelete