I have to say, I was skeptical about Trader Joe’s Cocoa and Sea Salt Instant Oatmeal. I’m more of an apple cinnamon gal, and to be totally honest, my favorite TJ’s oats are the rolled oats in a bag. You can do them in the microwave, too, and they’re way tastier with a better texture than the instant. But I digress.
Although the packet of oatmeal smelled a little bit like chocolate Quik when i empted it into the bowl, once I stirred in some hot water and let it sit, the chocolate flavor was definitely better than Quik. It didn’t thicken up as much as the pictured version, but overall flavor was good. I could see chopping up some nuts and sprinkling them over the top.
What I didn’t get was any noticeable sea salt. It wasn’t bland, so we know salt was in there (220 mg worth per packet), but to call it out as the second flavor ingredient? Mmmm, not so much. And while it contains less than 2% sea salt, according to the ingredient list, the rest of it is pretty straight forward. Whole grain rolled oats, sugar, cocoa powder, contains less than 2% of sea salt, natural flavors.
I expected to be a little offended by this oatmeal, but it turns out, it was pretty decent. Will I buy Trader Joe’s Cocoa and Sea Salt instant oatmeal again? Not for us. I still have 9 more packets to go. :) But seriously, like I said, I’d rather just make the rolled oats and go the fruit route.