Lifeless arugula from Trader Joe's languishes at the front of photo. CSAs arugala, in the back, promises more flavor and freshness. Trader Joe's new "wild arugula" product (not shown) is just as good as that from the CSA.
Trader Joe’s has very literally come up to the plate with REAL arugula flavor. It’s the taste I fell in love with when I first experienced arugula in the early 1990’s while visiting my sister in Manhattan. Since then, the herb’s popularity has exploded. The explosion introduced mass-produced varieties that would have never gained my affection. After all, who could fall in love with a coarse, cardboard-tasting salad green?
Trader Joe’s new “wild arugula” product takes me back to those days of first discovery, which included the novelty and excitement of the Big Apple and Bloomingdale’s.
My husband first brought the wild arugula home to eat with the pizza margherita we ordered for the evening. Since our trip to the Balkans, we’ve been eating all pizza topped with fresh arugula. I was skeptical, especially because we had just enjoyed wild arugula as part of our pricey brunch at the W Hotel in Westwood (yes, out on the pool deck that you often see in the popular series “Entourage”). The verdict? Surprisingly on target with flavor and texture. Two thumbs up for Trader Joe’s new wild arugula!
