Mochi isn’t an ordinary dessert. It’s a traditional Japanese treat with a rich history. During the Japanese New Year, which takes place from December 25 to 28, the dessert is prepared during an event called Mochitsuki. After the event is over, the treat can be enjoyed year-round. We suspect that Trader Joe’s Mango Mini Mochi isn’t prepared in a traditional ceremony, but it’s a great way to experience this unusual snack.
While there are 15 mochi per box, the box itself is fairly small. These aren’t massive treats; each one gives you a bite or two of mochi. When Trader Joe’s describes these as “mini,” they really aren’t kidding.
It’s a little tricky to get these mini mochi balls out of the packaging when they’re still frozen; we had to scoop ours out with a spoon. Thankfully, once you manage to pry these treats loose, you’ll have nothing else to worry about. Each piece of mochi is bite-sized and easy to eat without making a mess.
This mochi doesn’t have the juicy consistency of mango, but it does have the same sweet and smooth flavor. It’s very sweet, but not in a sugary way, and it doesn’t have the acidic bite that citrus fruits often have. This was made with real mangoes, and you can definitely tell.
If you’ve never tried mochi before, you should be aware that it has an unusual texture that can be off-putting. It’s cold, like ice cream, but it’s gummy, like a soft candy. While mochi is made from rice, you can’t really taste or feel rice when you bite into one of these treats. The only thing you’ll taste is fruity flavors.
Anyone that enjoys both mochi and mango will definitely want to give this treat a try. If you’re new to mochi, Trader Joe’s Mango Mini Mochi isn’t a bad place to start. Since each treat is so small, you can try out mochi without making a big commitment. These fruity bite-sized treats aren’t for everyone — our staffers were pretty split on them — but they do have a lot of appeal.
To learn more about the nutrition content or ingredients in this Trader Joe’s frozen dessert, check out our package scan below.
