Australia | Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants)

Red Island Australian Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

NEW ITEM – “LIMITED”

“Super smooth, cold pressed and lightly fruity”

This is a single estate EVOO from of all places…Australia! I think I did a little double take when I saw the sign above saying “Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil”. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard an Aussie olive oil before, so I had to give it a try. And you know what? It’s good. Very good. Definately “fruity and smooth”.

Trader Joe’s has this to say about it….

“Made with Early Harvest olives grown on a single estate, which are then cold pressed to preserve even more flavor, this extra special EVOO can be used in all the same kitchen contexts you’d employ for an everyday olive oil, like sautéeing or roasting. To take full advantage of its smooth and fruity profile, and nutty, delicately tannic finish, however, we find it truly excels when enjoyed as a base for a salad dressing, or when dunked with hunks of crusty bread.”

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/red-island-australian-extra-virgin-olive-oil-079467

I think this Aussie EVOO is worth trying. As it says “Limited” that usually means when they sell out existing stock, that’s it.

A bottle is $7.99 for 500 ml

TJ’s Tea Tree Hand Wash Soap

(post written at the start of the Corona Virus pandemic)

Clearly these are trying times. So I have to say its nice to find something that seems to help during these times, and this soap actually helps, well me at least. Whenever I wash my hands with this soap, which is often, the most lovely odor of tea tree oil hits my nose a second later, and I just find the aroma very comforting, and very calming. Seriously – This stuff is helping my mental state in some small way. Aromatherapy perhaps? And should I add I’m a straight male!? Seriously folks, this Tea Tree hand wash soap has the most amazing aroma. It’s a kind of “medicinal” smell, in a good way, that is wonderful and comforting every time you use it. Using this heavenly soap will no doubt make you feel slightly better and more relaxed as soon as that tea tree oil smell hits your nose. Plus the Aloe and oils in the hand wash will keep your hands from drying out from all the hand washing we’re doing! Tea tree oil has its own antibacterial properties. The soap is a “Product of New Zealand”, and that sounds good to me too. Label says “Cleanse and invigorates the senses” – it really does. The whole bathroom smells good after you washed up with this.

Seriously if you can find this in your Trader Joe’s, be sure to grab yourself a bottle (but just one please, leave one for the next person) It cost about $4.50 a bottle, and mine is seeming to last quite a while as a little squirt of this liquid soap goes a long way.

It says for hands but I have used it on my face too, as well as in the shower. Just be sure to dilute it a lot as tea tree oil can sting if you have very sensitive skin.

PRODUCT OF NEW ZEALAND