Episode 110: Expect the Unexpected (Cheddar) at Trader Joe's

At Trader Joe's, our entire business begins with expecting the unexpected. When you spend your days searching for delicious new products and traveling the world in search of great values for customers, you never know what might happen. And while we knew from the beginning that Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar and Toscano cheeses were delicious values, we could never have predicted the success they'd find in our cheese cases. We recently visited the folks who work every day to bring us these spectacular, award-winning cheeses – including the Master Cheesemaker who's been on the scene from the beginning – and we walked away with even more appreciation for these fab fromage friends. Listen in, learn just enough to make you an amateur turophile, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's and pick up your favorite iteration of our Unexpected Cheddar and Toscano cheeses. Transcript (PDF)

Each year, around this time, we reveal the winner of our annual Store Recipe Contest. While most of our contests center customer recipes, this one features recipes directly from the folks who know our products best – the Crew Members who work in our stores. This year, we received submissions from stores across the country, and we were stunned by both the quantity and the quality of the recipes – sweet, savory, and spicy recipes you could serve for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. We prepped, we cooked, and we ate our way to four delicious Runners-Up and one standout Winner. Listen in for all the details, point your browser to traderjoes.com for all the recipes, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up everything you'll need to make your favorites. Transcript (PDF)   

Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're popping the cans on a new arrival in our wine section, Trader Joe's Calsecco. That whimsical name is a nod to the wine's California origins, as well as the Prosecco-style in which this brut bubbly is crafted. If you're looking for a super sipper for summertime barbecues, picnics, and pool parties… you'll want to listen in for a quick intro, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a few four-packs! Transcript (PDF)

In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're taking you inside our customers' shopping carts to find out what keeps them coming back to Trader Joe's again and again. For this edition of our Customer Cart Conversations, we go to Trader Joe's number 32 in East Pasadena, California. Captain Jadez gets up close and personal with the contents of customers' carts, with questions about favorites. Along the way, we get some insights into how Trader Joe's brings a little joy and deliciousness into their busy lives. We even talk to some Crew Members who share their go-to product recommendations for customers (and podcast listeners!). What's in YOUR cart? Transcript (PDF)  

With the official start of summer still a week away, perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves, but we just can't help it. We just get so excited for summer to start! Maybe it's the longer days. Maybe it's the warmer weather. Maybe it's spending more time with family and friends (see above, longer days). Or maybe it's just the exciting new products coming to our stores. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we have a great list of new things to share – like Main Squeeze Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Creamy Dreamy Whipped Ricotta, Spicy Queso Dip, Buffalo Sauce, and Cookies & Creme Cookie Mix. Listen in for more from our list, then make YOUR list and head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's so you can get your summer started! Transcript (PDF)

Sometimes, a discussion about The GOAT can be polarizing. Whether it's an athlete, a writer, an actor, a musician, or any other professional, judging the Greatest Of All Time is an inherently subjective endeavor. When it comes to cheese, though, it's easier, especially when GOAT is in the actual name of the cheese. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we talk to our resident cheese expert about Goat Cheese, and we travel to Wisconsin to talk to the folks who start with goat's milk from local farmers and make the chevre magic happen. It's a blaaaaast! Transcript (PDF)

Joining us for this episode of Inside Trader Joe's is a group of Trader Joe's shoppers from the high school Class of 2026. They represent, quite literally, the future, not just for Trader Joe's, but for all of us. We chatted with them about their favorite TJ's products and the way they cook, got their feedback about some new products that haven't quite made their way to the shelves at Trader Joe's just yet. Most importantly, they schooled us on some current slang – let's just say, this episode hits! Transcript (PDF)

Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're going big on the bottles you're going to want on your table this spring and summer. And we mean big. Literally. Le Beau Sud Vermentino-Sauvignon Blanc, from France, and TABLE Red Blend from California's Santa Barbara County are on our wine shelves in one-liter bottles. That's upwards od 33% more wine in every bottle, and at prices that would scream value even for a traditional 750mL package. These are quintessentially quaffable wines, ready for picnics and barbecues, wedding showers and all kinds of celebrations. Listen in for a quick intro, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle of each! Transcript (PDF)

One-hundred-and-sixty-two years ago, we started a podcast. Well, actually, it wasn't quite that long ago. We started Inside Trader Joe's in 2018, thinking it would be a five-episode opportunity for us to tell our story from our point of view. And now here we are, eight years and more than 100 episodes later. Our crystal ball did not reveal this future, and yet, as we look back on those original episodes – the First Five, if you will – we're struck by how much remains the same. We're still all about the products, our Values still guide us, we're definitely dedicated to not taking ourselves too seriously, the store is still most definitely our brand, and we take great pride in being good neighbors, in every neighborhood Trader Joe's. Take a little walk down memory lane with us as we revisit the First Five. And keep listening for more – just like you'll always find new products in your neighborhood store, we always have more stories to tell! Transcript (PDF)

It's almost spring. Finally. Winter has certainly made the most of itself, and we are jumping into the opportunity to welcome this season of renewal the best way we know how – with a whole bunch of new Trader Joe's products! While delicious new snacks and sweets lead the way – we're talking Salted Caramel Mochi and Sweet Onion Pretzel Sticks – we also have a chance to chat about new Meat and Seafood offerings, and talk Tulips with our resident experts. And unlike some episodes of ITJ that feature predominantly limited availability items, this one is jam-packed with great stuff we're planning to offer every day, in every Trader Joe's store. Listen in, then make your own list and visit your neighborhood store to get the goods. Transcript (PDF) How to Create a Spring Tulip Arrangement