Trader Joe’s Fireworks Chocolate Bar
Posted: February 5, 2015 Filed under: Trader Joe's Brand | Tags: 4 stars, Candy, chili pepper, Chocolate, dark chocolate, pop rocks, Trader Joe's 17 Comments
Cheap gimmick – or dynamite in a bag?
You know what they say – once you’ve reviewed one novelty chocolate confection, you just can’t stop. Someone says that , I’m sure of it. At any rate, this classic axiom lead me to pick up Trader Joe’s Fireworks Chocolate Bar – a real honest to goodness chocolate bar, except it’s dark chocolate and filled with Red Hot Pop Rocks.
Or that’s how it tastes at least. This chocolate bar is Trader Joe’s entry into the amazing new world of chocolate bars with non-chocolate confections embedded I them. Confectioner Chuao started doing this a while back, coming out with such Willy Wonka-esque hybrids as chocolate and popcorn bits, chocolate and strawberry bits and, of course, chocolate and bacon bits. Trader Joe’s own crazy idea is to combine dark chocolate (although the exact percentage dark is left unspecified), combined with “popping candy” bits, chipotle chile, and cayenne pepper. The result is kind of crazy. When you first bite into the bar, yes, it tastes just like a low percentage dark chocolate bar, more sweet than bitter, smooth and of course chocolaty. But then things start exploding in your mouth and you get concerned. These, of course, are our “popping bits”, a generic name for what is essentially pop rocks. Ground up small enough that you will rarely encounter one of these crackling bits of sugar, they are nonetheless very noticeable, as your mouth gently hisses and snaps as the chocolate dissolves on the tongue.
Secondary to this effect is the “fire” part of the “firecracker” chocolate. Although it contains, as previously stated, chipotle chile, pasilla chile and cayenne pepper, it’s not in sufficient quantities to light anyone’s mouth on fire. It is, however, plenty enough to give you a warm glow and tingle to go along with the nice bittersweet chocolate.
Overall, it’s a pretty good effect – pulling your mind and your taste buds in at lest three directions at once as you feel and taste your way through this cavalcade of bittersweet, fiery explosions. This is really a chocolate bard to be savored in small bites, and let melt luxuriously onto the tongue. It may be the same size as any of TJ’s other chocolate bar, but you’ll derive many times the satisfaction from it. After the swing-and-miss dark chocolate and ginger confection I tried earlier this week, it’s a relief to see that they can also deliver something this good. You may not want to come back to this bar every time you feel a chocolate craving – but you’ll be doing yourself a favor if you pick it up at least once.
The Breakdown
Would I Recommend It: Yeah! Don’t be afraid guys – Trader Joe’s is doing something pretty cool here.
Would I Buy It Again: I’d definitely pick one up to share.
Final Synopsis: Dark chocolate + pop rocks + chili pepper = a surprisingly good candy bar.
Trader Joe’s Fireworks Chocolate Bar – Nutrition Facts
Eating At Joes 
Mixing chocolate and hot spices is a fairly common part of southwest cuisine. One of Tucson’s most famous chef’s makes a spicy chocolate mousse that’s out of this world. I plan to pick up a bar next time I go to TJ’s and give this a try.
Totally agree. Just wanted to add that the chocolate is really good on its own; I feel like if they’d used sub-par chocolate it might’ve ruined the whole experience, but the meltyness is really nice with the popping and hot spice. I’ve had chocolate with chili in it before, and wasn’t nearly as good as this. I loved it, and I’ll probably go back for more. For other people, I’d say it’s an experience not to be missed, if nothing else. 🙂
They are awesome–and all gone if you havent already sampled them. Corporate is tapped out completely. Call though and tell them you think it should be a regular item (like I did).
The back of the package says 58% cacao solids! Yum!
One of best chocolate bars ever. And, so much fun!
I ditto Gail’s comment….Best ever!
This chocolate is amazing and I hope they plan to keep it on the shelves!
I picked one up but have yet to try it and as of a week ago our local store was stocked to the gills with these. Will be going again Friday morning and will check to see if they are still in stock. Will advise in case there are any of you who want to get them still.
I love this bar ❤ though it is a seasonal Valentine's Day bar (until they all fly off their shelves) 😀 BTW one of the reasons this chocolate is really good, is that they use vanilla beans in it, which always makes a dark chocolate bar taste better. FYI highly recommended!!!
Chuao does actually make this very chocolate bar: it’s their “Firecracker” bar, and they have it year-round: it’s not only my favorite bar of theirs, but it may be my favorite chocolate combination, period. T.J.’s version is pretty good, though I don’t think the chocolate quality is quite as high. But I think the price difference is $3.99 vs. $6.99 or more, so for that price, it’s a much better weekly fix!
I just realized that myself! My local TJ’s didn’t even bother to take them out of the Chuao boxes first. Three bucks cheaper for the same bar – that’s pretty amazing.
Ha! I wouldn’t have noticed. I guess it is the same chocolate, huh?
I thought it was the Chuao bar repackaged. Wow! 1.99 is definitely a steal for this high quality bar! and now I know why it’s so d*mn good!!!
I’m surprised at how much I love this. I only need one or two squares at a time (small bites at a time, melting and letting sit on my tongue for a while between bites), so the bar lasts a while. I can see making this a regular purchase if it became a regular item…
My best friend introduced me to this chocolate bar. Wow, love at first bite! She was going raving crazy excited about it when she first told me. Now I’m addicted too. Fortunately for me, where I live there is a Trader Joe’s. She’s not so lucky and has to drive an hour to get to her nearest supply.
Where can I get more? Not at TJs anymore 😭
Please bring them baaaaack!!!!!!