The $1.50 Dollar Tree Find That Transforms Produce Prep

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There's a petite kitchen gadget that you might miss as you walk through the aisles at Dollar Tree, but it's worth doubling back for: the Alta Fruit & Veggie Chopping Cup. At first glance, it might not look like much, but it could be a kitchen tool that you wish you had gotten sooner. Plus, the price will definitely catch your eye. A YouTube user named Find the Deals with Crystal found this handheld chopper for fruits and vegetables with a price tag of just $1.50.

The design is simple — it's a grid-shaped blade with handles attached to the sides of a cup with a removable base below to catch the produce. According to the packaging, the item measures 4 inches by 5.9 inches by 4.1 inches. The intersecting blades form 36 individual squares designed to chop food into 12-millimeter (approximately ½ inch) cubes. It's a similar concept to using circular apple slicers but serves as a way to cut different kinds of produce. In both cases, you press the blades down to cut the food.

While we can't confirm the lifespan of the product, it's worth noting that this product isn't motorized like a food processor. So users won't have to worry about defective electrical components or ones that fail too soon.

If all you want is a simple device to cut food, the Alta food chopper might stack up well against fancier options when you consider the price. For example, the Vidalia Chop Wizard and the Ourokhome Chopper sold on Amazon look like comparable manual tools but are more sophisticated. They come with containers to catch the food, rely on levers to cut food by pressing down on it, and have interchangeable blades. However, each costs a little over $17. Alta's version goes for a fraction of the price, making it an economical choice for stocking a kitchen or for anyone who just wants to test this style of product before committing to a higher-end version.

With that said, one con to this tool is that it may take longer to prep bigger meals compared to the larger choppers. Other vegetable choppers also contain different blades for making a variety of cuts, shapes, and sizes, and the Alta brand does not include this. Another downside, as with other must-have Dollar Tree kitchen finds, is that there's unfortunately no guarantee you'll find it at every store.

One of the Alta chopper's biggest appeals is that it looks easy to use. The blade is protected by the removable cup, making it a safe way to chop fruits and veggies more quickly. This tool might also be useful for camping or travel, as it doesn't require a lot of space or electricity.