The process of freeze drying is a rather fascinating one—especially when applied to fresh fruit. In the case of Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Raspberries, for example, it’s done by freezing ripe raspberries, then lowering the atmospheric pressure around them to near-vacuum levels. After this, they’re heated, which causes a curious reaction where the frozen water within the berries instantly transitions to a vapor, skipping the liquid phase entirely. And since raspberries are mostly water, what remains of each raspberry is super concentrated with their signature, sweet-tart flavor–in fact, it takes more than a half a pound of fresh raspberries to make each 1.2-ounce pouch of our Freeze Dried Raspberries.

But you didn’t come here for a science lesson—you came here because you love sweet, crisp, fruity snacks! And that’s precisely what Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Raspberries are. Every bite is bursting with bright, ever-so-slightly floral raspberry notes, making them an an excellent, anytime snack, and an ideal inclusion for school lunches. We also find that they make an excellent accessory to other dishes—try them as a baking ingredient, a fruity boost for smoothies, or as topper for a bowl of cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt.