I Tried Trader Joe's Dried Watermelon—Here's What It Tastes Like

With Trader Joe's locations across the country, this fun and distinctive (and affordable) store is basically the quirky aunt of grocery stores. Like many TJ's aficionados, I'm always looking to add foods to my list of most-loved Trader Joe's products. So I've been wanting to try a sweet, vegan item that Trader Joe's junkies have gone wild for, and that's watermelon jerky.

Dried watermelon may sound like an odd snack, but it's prepared the same way as other dried fruit. The only ingredient is watermelon, too, so there's no need to worry about added sugar or preservatives. But should you spend your money on it? I bought some watermelon jerky, so I could tell you all about it.

Taste and Nutrition

First of all, does it taste good? Well, good taste is in the tongue of the taster (or something). I can easily eat a giant bag of dried mango and apricots in a single sitting, so I'm pretty familiar with dried fruit snacks. And I felt that the watermelon jerky was really sweet.

And while it's definitely a healthier snack alternative than processed chips or super-salty crackers, it's not super nutritious: One package, which is one serving size, contains 38 grams of sugar and 39 grams of carbs. Knowing that I'd rather indulge in Trader Joe's sweet plantain chips and peanut butter cups, but that's just me.

Price and Availability

If watermelon jerky sounds at all appetizing to you, it's worth spending the $3.69 to at least give it a try. I bought a bag for my mother-in-law, and she "accidentally" left it at my house after sampling a piece. But don't let that discourage you from trying it for yourself—it could be your next go-to TJ's treat.

You may want to check your local TJ's location to see if they carry watermelon jerky. If and when you spot it at your local store, though, it may be worth a taste test of your own. And if you're not a fan of the watermelon jerky, the next eccentric (and potentially delectable) Trader Joe's product is just around the corner.