Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants)

NEW ITEM

With this New Item (AUGUST 2026) addition, the number of chocolate barks that Trader Joe’s has I think is three. The original regular one, the dried raspberry one and now this one with pistachios and jalapenos. Yes, you read that correctly. There is dried jalapeños in this new chocolate bark. This new one is a bit of an unusual bark but I have liked all the ones they have.

I saw this bag in the NEW ITEMS stand right next to our checkout line. A new “bark” ? Yes please. I saw “pistachio” but somehow I missed the part about there being “dried jalapeños”! Ha. I only noticed it when I got home and took a picture. Now fortunately I like spicy and I was intrigued.

Mixing chocolate and chili actually is not unusual. In Mexico, the combination is very common. There, chocolate with chili is seen all the time. So they do go together, and go together well.

HOW SPICY IS THIS? I would call it “spicy” – a touch of heat. Not crazy. Not blow off the roof of your mouth off spicy. But you will taste it. Personally, again, I like spicy and can appreciate a moderate level of heat. I don’t like insane level of heat. This is not that. Of course heat level is very personal.

Here’s my honest review: All I can say about this new spicy chocolate bark is I could not stop eating it! I find it addictive.

Take a bite and you first taste the delicious sweet dark chocolate -then a few seconds later your tongue will register the dried jalapeño, and a bit of heat. Again not crazy spicy, just enough to let you know yes it’s there. It’s spicy but very tolerable as the sweet dark chocolate matches perfectly to the amount of heat.

Sweet and savory and spicy. Sure this will not be for everyone. My wife didn’t like it, even though she likes a bit of spiciness in food. The pistachio element is overshadowed but it’s there somewhere in the background, and blends well with the chocolate. There’s just a hint of sea salt.

Trader Joe’s has this to say about their new product:

“Now, separately, the four elements of Dark Chocolate, Pistachios, Jalapeños, and Sea Salt may make utterly intuitive pairings with one another. But it’s only within the context of this Bark that this curious combination gets to shine together. And so, every bite becomes a symphony of rich, buttery, nutty, grassy, spicy, savory, and sweet, all at once.” https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/dark-chocolate-bark-with-pistachios-dried-jalapenos-sea-salt-083323

I really liked this product, but it is a bit spicy so if you are very sensitive to heat, maybe not for you. I say, try it. Worst case, you tell them you didn’t like it. That’s the great thing about Trader Joe’s.

I would buy it again.

$5.99 (8 oz)