I hope this can be useful. I’ve thought about posting something like this for awhile, instead of a review.
I hate having to throw out food. Don’t you?!
With everything costing more and more frankly now it seems more important than ever. Going shopping is painful. We all know all too well, the horrible feeling of having bought vegetables, and have to throw them out – you didn’t use them fast enough. They rotted.
Say buying something like washed, ready to eat Mixed Greens at Trader Joe’s. I’ve found those go bad pretty fast. Faster than almost anything else I buy at Trader Joe’s as the lettuces are very delicate. After three days, I will usually find a few rotten pieces deep in the middle.
So how do you keep your veggies and stuff from going bad as long as possible?
Here’s some things I do which seem to help extend the life span a bit. Every vegetable and package presents a different challenge. A lot of stuff at Trader Joe’s is packaged in plastic. Way too much! Plastic doesn’t “breathe” of course. Moisture is both the friend and enemy with veggies. Just enough is good to keep them as fresh as possible. With plastic there is usually too much moisture that can build up in the fridge. If its too wet. It will rot faster.
So what I do is I add air holes if there aren’t any already. Even if there are (bagged carrots for example) I may add some more.
What I do is a combination of things. Sometimes adding a paper towel in the bag to absorb moisture. On occasion both the two together, poking lots of holes and a paper towel.
That bag of ARUGULA – which I buy frequently. The first thing I do before I put that bag in the fridge is take a shap poiny knife – and STAB IT all over. I really go at it. I seriously stab the bag all over and put some holes . Not two or three holes. I stab it 20 times on each side of the bag. So a lot of little holes for to make it more breathable. The bag of GREEN ONIONS? Same thing. I take a sharp knife or scissors and make air holes all over.
It’s tricky as you don’t want stuff to dry up, but not have too much moisture either. With green onions, sometimes I will remove them all from the bag and wrap a paper towel around the bottom which is barely moistened with a few drops of water to keep those root ends moist. A Cantonese chef I watch alot of cooking videos of, recommends standing green onions upright in the fridge, in a plastic bag with the roots wrapped in barely moist paper towels. That does work but I usually have them horizontal.
What about say a package of PERSIAN CUCUMBERS? They have cardboard on the bottom which is breathable, so better. The plastic wrapping them I pierce it all over.
The plastic boxes of parsley or cilantro? I stab the plastic box like crazy to let some moisture out and also take a paper towel and wrap up the whole bunch of parsley in the paper towel. Maybe add a few drops of water to keep it moist – but not too moist!
I really like this. Sold in the refrigerated section (salads). Sure this a “salad dressing” but it is also more than that. So useful. Trader Joe’s has this to say about it: “When is a salad dressing more than a salad dressing? How about when it’s also a great dip, condiment, marinade, sauce…”
It is of course peanut-y and a typical Asian style mix of sweet and savory. We tried it as a salad dressing. Very yummy. After we poured some over mixed lettuce and arugula my wife said “I think this would also be great on noodles“… Yes! Toss some into your noodles. Or grilled chicken (use for a marinade and a glaze). Or Salmon. Or Shrimp. Or Baked Tofu. Or an omelet. A dipping sauce for dumplings. Cole slaw. Grilled vegetables…. you name it.
It is a bit sweet from agave syrup and of course very peanuty. Has the tiniest amount of spice listed as the last ingredient but I can’t really detect any “spicy” here. If you want that, just add your favorite spicy stuff. You can even top with some crushed peanuts (this is smooth) for added texture.
I really like this! You will find it good on or with so many things. The cousin of this, also very good is TJ’s TOASTED SESAME DRESSING.
Here’s what Traders has to say: “After the runaway success of our Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, including their record-breakingly early entry into the Trader Joe’s Product Hall of Fame, we knew that they needed a companion within the snacks section. Where their Chile Lime cousins are tangy and hot, these Ranch Rolled Tortilla Chips are creamy, herby, and well-rounded. They get their bold, yet markedly mellow flavor via a suite of savory seasonings and spices, including buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley.”
The wonderful Chili Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are among Trader Joe’s most popular snack items they have come out with. Me, I am crazy for them. I adore them. I love spicy. The Chili Lime chips have crazy strong flavors and are quite spicy.
But they are not for everyone. Especially those sensitive to spice or strong flavors. My wife does like some level of spicy but she really doesn’t like the Chili Lime rolled chips at all. She says they are just too strongly flavored and way too spicy ( I”m not complaining as I don’t have to share mine 😉
So as popular as the spicy ones are I imagine Trader Joe’s figured there are people like her who find them too strongly flavorerd. Which must be why they figured lets come out with another version of the Rolled Tortilla Chips. Which is this one. Not spicy. Mild. Ranch Flavor flavor.
My wife likes these more mellow Ranch ones! I will have to share…..
TJ’s gave this variation a buttermilk ranch flavor that includes dried onion, parsley and other seasoning.
On the internet you get that this one is another hit. Some people really like this version. and say things like “the bag didn’t even make it all the way home. i ate the whole thing”!
Not as bold as the original OG Chili Lime these have a mild flavor of course so may appeal to more people, my wife being one. The are great on their own or equally great with a dip or guacamole. I liked them dipped into some DILL CREAM CHEESE SPREAD. They are good with cheese too.
I love the original spicy one a bit more as it’s so zingy spicy and unique but I do like this new RANCH one too, and you may end up buying both kinds!
I would buy it again.
$2.99/9 Oz
On a side note though it doesn’t say Gluten Free, I kind of think they may be? Just corn, no wheat that I can see in the ingredients
Trader Joe’s Kettle Cooked Olive Oil Potato Chips are a popular, crunchy potato chip snack.
INGREDIENTS : Potatoes. Olive Oil. Sea Salt
These are made from only three ingredients: Potatoes, Olive Oil, and Sea Salt. Even though we are not big eaters of potato chips, we found these to be incredibly tasty. Even addictive!
I would call these “gourmet” potato chips. The olive oil imparts great flavor.
The flavor profile of these is very simple and pure, as there is no other flavor added, just potatoes with a touch of salt, with the fruity flavor of the olive oil coming through. All of which makes these taste better than most standard chips.
These have amazing crunch. Like most chips described as “kettle cooked” these chips are cut thicker than regular potato chips such as “Lays” and the like. These have a great texture. Crunchy and delicious. These could probably hold up to most dips.
Now we did find these to be just the tiniest bit on the greasy side, so be aware of that. However since this is olive oil I imagine this is part of the appeal. Another plus is that some people want things made with “non-seed” oils. So this fits that bill, though the words “healthy potato chips” are an oxymoron!
As far as calories goes, the bag says 16 chips have about 140 calories.
I’ve never written a “review” of fruit before so this is a first for me. Why now?
I was at Trader Joe’s, looking for the new Ranch flavor rolled tortilla chips and could not find any on the shelves. So I asked one of the employees if they had any in back. He went and found what he said were the “last two bags”.
I was thankful, of course, and we started talking a little bit and he asked if I had every tried “Dekopan”. He said you have to try it. I drew a blank. I had no idea what that was. He walked me over to where oranges were. He pointed out a large weird looking bumpy skin, giant mandarin orange with a bumpy top knot. He said they’re expensive but actually worth it. It’s a “premium” fruit. Very seasonal, only available for around 3 months. A TJ employee cult favorite which they wait for all year.
So I had to get one to try. How is it? Well it perhaps actually is The best orange/mandarin I ever ate.
It is Huge. A pound each? So juicy and sweet. So easy to peel, it just slipped out of its skin. Smells fantastic. No seeds! I can see what a Trader Joe’s Cult Favorite.
Also probably at $2.49 each, the most expensive orange I ever bought. Yikes. Still, at other stores they might be even more expensive than that.
But its huge and really really good and a rare treat.
So even if just once, I would also say, “you’ve got to try this” while you can as it’s seasonal (around Jan-April) only available for about 3 months.
When my wife and I tried it after dinner we were both so impressed with the taste and while expensive, very special indeed. Just so delicious and a treat for a dessert. A way healthier dessert than the cake we had. By the way, its so huge it was shared by us both.
GOOGLE: Trader Joe’s Sumo Citrus (Dekopon) is a highly anticipated seasonal fruit available roughly January through April. Known for being very large, seedless, incredibly sweet, and easy to peel, these premium mandarins feature a distinct top-knot bump.
Key Details About Trader Joe’s Sumo Citrus:
Seasonality: Typically available in the winter and early spring, specifically January to April.
Taste & Texture: Extremely sweet (high Brix count) and juicy, with a texture closer to a tangerine than a standard orange.
Appearance: Distinctive, bumpy, thick rind with a “top knot” bump, making them easy to peel.
Price: Known to be expensive, with individual fruit priced around $2.49 and bags sold for roughly $5.49–$5.99, but still cheaper than at many other retailers.
Origins: Originally developed in Japan in the 1970s, now grown in California’s Central Valley.
“With notes of clementine, vanilla and dark chocolate“
This is the latest Small Lot coffee Trader Joe’s has released, this one from the Republic of Rwanda, East Africa. Rwanda is described as the “land of a thousand hills”.
I think this is the first coffee I’ve tasted from Rwanda. In general I’ve found African coffees are interesting and unique, and I found this interesting with a unique taste. This coffee is grown high in the mountains, on a plantation where banana trees used to be. When I first tried it I didn’t love it but it kind of grew on me as I kept drinking it over the week. It’s an interesting coffee. Pretty tasty with background notes they describe as “clementine, vanilla and chocolate”. It is labeled “Medium Roast” which I find accurate. I might even go “light medium”. It had an interesting background note of…. yeah I guess you could say “clementine”.
Still I measure these Small Lot coffees from all the past ones I’ve tried. Many have been pretty good, some average with every now and then, one not worthy.
I have found however a few of them have been outstanding, incredible coffees. My all time favorite probably being that MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON – which was a gem of a coffee from Uganda. And there’s been a few others. So I always like to check out TJ’s Small Lot coffees, in case I might find another gem.
This RWANDAN coffee isn’t one of those outstanding Small Lot coffees, but it is kind of interesting and actually grew on me. If, like I do, you like to check out every Small Lot coffee they come out with, I would say worth this is one that is at least trying once. I don’t love it but I do like it. It is a dollar more at $11 than some coffees there.
$10.99 for a 12 oz bag
Side Note: This package has a “Roasted On” date! Bravo. I think that’s something new….
(Mid March 2026) I’ve been looking for this bread for more than a week, or two or three. No luck in finding it. Not only do I not see it on the shelves, I got concerned as they don’t even the sign for it up anymore – that always worries me! Sometimes they write up a sign like “Coming Back…”
So I asked at Front Desk if they could look up the status of this great bread we love. She quickly confirmed it is OUT OF STOCK, and thankfully nothing like ‘Discontinued’ and gone forever, which I always worry about with Trader Joe’s stuff.
Unfortunately though she saw that it won’t be back in stock for some time. It said not expected to be back in storestill Mid-April !! Yikes!
FYI it’s made in Denmark. Imported.
Not sure this is just for my region (Eastern Seaboard) or all over the US? Probably all over.
Let us know via Comment if the bread is also Out Of Stock where you live so others know too..
(one reader from D.C. reports same thing where they are as well as someone in TX so probably everywhere!)
I just love this bread especially with the DILL SPREAD and cucumbers! Now that’s a breakfast treat.
“This awesomely herbaceous spread was designed expressly with bagels and lox in mind—we find the notes of Dill are particularly suited to bringing out the best in smoked salmon or Steelhead Trout. That said, it also happens to be great when simply enjoyed with crackers or charcuterie, and a mixed-in spoonful will add all kinds of depth to a pan of soft, scrambled eggs.” – trader joe’s
The internets seem to have gotten a bit abuzz about this new Trader Joe’s spread. I loved the last one I tried (whipped feta spread). So I got this newer one to try out for review.
I opened it up and tried a small taste of it. Is this dip any good? Yeah Baby! Here’ my honest review.
Yes, yes, yes! I love it. I found this just SO good! Very dill-y and herbaceous, and I am a fan of dill. If you like it, you will also love this. Corny but yes this is “dill-icious” as they have named it.
Trader Joe’s say it was designed to match with smoked fish. For sure! They suggest spreading it for a “shmear” on a bagel, then top with some smoked salmon, or smoked trout or what have you. Certainly this will be wonderful for matching with any kind of smoked fish.
It is good for other things too of course. I liked it just as a dip with veggies: sticks of carrots and cucumbers, radishes, peppers. Anything.
It also tasted great simply spread on a few crackers I tried it with. I then spread it on TJ’s yummy Euro Grains Bread which I topped with slices of cucumber. This combo was excellent. Try it on that wonderful bread or crispbread.
Whipped Feta Spread is made with 51% feta cheese mixed with cream cheese, Greek yogurt and olive oil.
“Tangy feta cheese whipped with cream cheese and smooth Greek yogurt. Mega-dippable”
“To create this Spread, our supplier whips fresh Feta with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and a bit of olive oil to create a creamy, ultra-spreadable, mega-dippable concoction”
The people at Trader Joe’s seem to love to come out with all kinds of spreads and dips. Some have been better than others. This one? It is very good. I am loving it.
They say this: “Feta fans also know that feta cheese’s crumbly texture can be somewhat limiting in certain culinary contexts. Now, thanks to Trader Joe’s Whipped Feta Spread, feta fans will also soon know the delight of enjoying it with unbelievable ease—on a bagel, on a chip, at the end of carrot stick, and beyond!
Yes, yes, yes. This makes the feta smooth and creamy into a fabulous tangy spread/dip. Not too salty either. Just right.
It is great used as a dip for some sliced vegetables. I cut up cucumbers and carrots and tried that as a dip for them and loved it. It’s equally great spread on a bagel or crackers, what have you. I can see this added to sauces, dolloped out on top of a pasta dish or a pizza. Top it with a pinch of honey (or hot honey). Very versatile stuff.
I love the ideas you can get from how they used it here on this shot from Trader Joe’s site. Spread out like hummus as a dip on a plate and gussied up with olives, olive oil and lemons. Served with pita bread of similar breads.
HERE IS AN UPDATE ON RECALLED PRODUCTS (Mar 6, 2026)
As of March 2026, Trader Joe’s has recalled several frozen, ready-to-eat products due to potential contamination with foreign matter – specifically glass. Originally it as just Japanese Fried Rice. The list was expanded to include:
Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Japanese Style Fried Rice, and Chicken Shu Mai—
All of these were produced for Trader Joe’s by AJINOMOTO Foods North America Inc.
Some of these items are also sold at Costco under their label.
Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Japanese Style Fried Rice, and Chicken Shu Mai
Check to see if you have any of these items and if so to be on the safe side either return to Trader Joe’s for a REFUND – or throw them out. Maybe you could even dump the contents and just bring back the bag?
Customers should check for affected items and return them to any store for a refund
You can visit Trader Joe’s website re: FOOD SAFETY/UPDATES/ARCHIVE/RECALLS, etc
Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants) 
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