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

NEW ITEM!

Would you say this looks like Trader Joe’s wants to get in on the this whole popular “drizzling” trend with olive oil in a squeeze bottle? Are you thinking this looks like the popular “Graza Sizzle” oil? Trader Joe’s is appropriately enough calling their EVOO oil in a squeeze bottle, “Main Squeeze”. As usual for Trader Joe’s this is a pretty budget friendly item.

MAIN SQUEEZE is a blend of Mediterranean olive oils from three counties: Tunisia, Spain, and Italy. Its “packed in Italy”.

They are selling this 750 ml (25.4 oz) bottle for about eleven bucks – which is cheaper than some of the other oils they sell as many come in a smaller 500ml bottle, like the EVOO from California for example. $10.99 is a fairly good deal for a 750 ml bottle. Graza brand oil sells now for about $17 at Target for this same 750 ml size bottle. I don’t have any of the Graza oil at home now one so can’t directly compare them. That one is from one place (Spain).

They say this: “Imported from the Mediterranean, it’s a golden, grassy, and pleasantly peppery cold-pressed Olive Oil, ideal for everything from light sautés to dipping bread, and it’s contained within a consummately convenient Squeeze bottle topped with an adjustable spout. The squeezable design is perfect for drizzling over roasted veggies, burrata, or soups. It’s also versatile enough for dipping bread, making pesto, or general pan-frying and sautéing. “

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/main-squeeze-extra-virgin-olive-oil-083543

I tried this Main Squeeze Oil and pretty much liked the taste. Yes, it does have “a golden, grassy, and pleasantly peppery taste with a mild kick on it’s aftertaste”.

One thing I don’t like? The nozzle. It’s not great. Hard to grip for a start. I found it tricky to open and close. It is very narrow, so hard to grip, and turn to open and close. It should be wider. I found I needed to grab it with something (towel, etc) to get a firm grip.

The nozzle also had a tendency to get gunked easily. I had to wipe it often as it got gunky after about two uses.

Now do I think the oil is as good as their best EVOO oils (the Sicilian and California ones)? No I would say just a bit under those two excellent oils, however they are more expensive. Those both cost more than this.

So is TJ’s MAIN SQUEEZE is worth trying if you want to try the whole “drizzle” experience. Its of course cheaper than Graza Sizzle EVOO. This says it is “$13.85/quart”.

Like all extra virgin oils keep it in a cool dark cupboard if at all possible to stay as fresh as possible.

$10.99 (750 ml)

“Packed in Italy; Oil from Tunisia, Spain and Italy”

Needs a better user friendly nozzle