What products are worth buying only in Trader Joe's, and which - categorically avoid

Trader Joe's is one of the most popular grocery store chains in the United States, earning more than $13 billion in 2017. That's impressive considering the company doesn't have sales, a loyalty program, or even an online store. Business Insider compiled a list of 29 products that regular customers recommend buying only in Trader Joe's, and 12, which should be avoided.

Buy: Tequila

Some states and regions do not allow the sale of liquor in the Trader Joe's store, but if this does not apply to your outlet, try tequila. Resource Drinkhacker approved silver tequila, which costs less than 20 dollars.

Photo: Trader Joe's

Buy: alcoholic beverages

TJ's offers some of your favorite brand liquor at a discount. One customer told Reddit that bourbon “Wild Turkey 101 here is almost a 4 dollar cheaper than anywhere else in my city.” There is a reason to visit the liquor department.

• Avoid: layouts with vegetables and fruits

Some shoppers report that most produce, especially delicate produce (such as peppers, greens and broccoli), is often overripe. If you don't use them the first day - and sometimes even use them - you could end up with rotten food. And the blog Penny Hoarder says that the prices for such products at Trader Joe's are unlikely to be lower than at your local supermarket.

Buy: Organic Avocados

One of Trader Joe's shoppers' favorite foods is avocados. The What Gaby Cooking blog says, "I don't buy groceries at TJ's, but I make an exception for two things...one of which is avocados."

Buy: goat milk brie

In the network there are great prices for high-quality cheese. Goat milk brie is sold in circles (less likely to be covered with harmful mold too quickly), this is a very nice soft cheese with a creamy taste.

Buy: Unexpected Cheddar Cheese

Photo: Trader Joe's

This cheddar is TJ's legend. Spoon University says the cheese "lives up to its name with hints of Parmesan and has an unexpected but subtle flavor." Cheddar has been repeatedly recognized as the most popular cheese from the chain stores.

Buy: Stilton Blue Cheese

Erika Kubik, a cheese expert on the Cheese Sex Death blog, recommended Trader Joe's Stilton cheese, which she described as “thick, firm and strong.”

• Avoid: Sushi

Don't be tempted to try the sushi at this chain. Emily Baxter, a former store employee, wrote in Spoon University that sushi at Trader Joe's "stays in the box from the moment it hits the counter until it lands in your bag." According to reviews on Quora, they are "sticky and always taste strangely sweet."

On the subject: Trader Joe's 10 products that are definitely worth trying in the summer

Buy: Bananas

While Trader Joe's vegetables can be safely ignored, local buyers love bananas for $ 0,19 and organic apples, which are cheaper than other stores.

Фото: Depositphotos

Buy: seasonal products

Another exception to the rule of not buying fruits and vegetables at Trader Joe's is anything in a huge box or on a table right out front. You can get fantastic deals on fresh, seasonal produce. Melons and watermelons are especially recommended, and pumpkins in the fall.

Buy: greeting cards

Not everyone knows that Trader Joe's sells cards for a variety of occasions for less than $1. According to reviews, they can be called “simple, optimistic and not too commercial.” The choice is limited, but there is a plus - everything will take you no more than a minute.

Buy: Coconut Oil

You'll get coconut oil at Trader Joe's for half the price of any other store. Tiffany Kim wrote on Quora that it is "organic, cold-pressed virgin oil."

Фото: Depositphotos

Buy: flowers

Cut flowers at Trader Joe's are some of the cheapest you'll find. The selection is varied and the price is low, so you can always decorate your kitchen table without spending a lot of money.

"In my experience, flowers from Trader Joe's stay fresh much longer than those purchased at Whole Foods or Kroger," Dana McMahan wrote for the blog Kitchn.

• Avoid: Milk

Many customers have complained about the milk at Trader Joe's. One Quora member said that this milk is "constantly on the verge of souring." Cheat Sheet says organic milk here costs more than you'd pay at Whole Foods.

Buy: Potted Plants

In addition to cut flowers, TJ's has a selection of potted plants that varies from season to season. They are usually healthy and incredibly cheap.

Фото: Depositphotos

Buy: Organic Cocoa Powder

Although Trader Joe's is known for his ready-made products, you can get good prices on quality raw ingredients if you know what to look for. Organic cocoa powder is great for baking, making smoothies or hot cocoa. Quora's commenter called Trader Joe's cocoa powder "a lot better than Hershey, and a 1 dollar is cheaper."

Buy: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Photo: Trader Joe's

Chocolate section fans will love these desserts. Buyers swear that they have higher quality than peanut butter cupcakes sold in other networks.

Buy: Triple Ginger Cookies

Photo: Trader Joe's

“After the first crunchy bite, the cookie melts in your mouth and you taste the hot, tangy bits of ginger,” wrote Charisma Madarang for Foodbeast. These cookies are best suited for adults because of their zesty ginger flavor.

Buy: Mandarin Chicken with Orange Sauce

Photo: Trader Joe's

This dish tops many of the list of priorities for fans of the network. They wrote about the dish like this: “Crispy outside, tender inside. The smell of orange sauce gives excellent sensations, but does not suppress the savory taste of the chicken itself. "

• Avoid: Shepherd's Pie

Photo: Trader Joe's

If you're a fan of this traditional English dish - stewed meat and vegetables with mashed potatoes - you'll be disappointed with the frozen version Trader Joe's makes. A Reddit user called the dish an "absolutely tasteless mess." Another wrote that he gave half to his dog.

On the subject: 7 frozen dishes in Trader Joe's up to $ 5, which tastes better than in a cafe

Buy: Bamboo

Bamba, the iconic Israeli snack, is a crunchy corn sticks with a light peanut flavor. Slightly sweet, slightly salty and crunchy, these chopsticks will satisfy any peanut fan, even the smallest.

Buy: blue tortilla corn chips

Trader Joe's offers blue corn chips and many people love them. Fans call them "light" and "delicious."

Buy: Everything but the Bagel seasoning

Spices in Trader Joe's store are equally cheap and decent, but the seasonings of Everything but the Bagel really stand out: a quick way to get the taste of a real bagel without extra calories. Seasoning contains white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sea salt flakes, dried garlic and dried onions.

• Avoid: ready-made sandwiches

The pre-made sandwiches and twisters at Trader Joe's are almost always sticky or dry, or both. Many are full of calories. "A turkey pesto sandwich contains nearly as many calories as a Big Mac, plus 1900 milligrams of salt," according to CBS's MoneyWatch. It's better to buy chocolate.

Buy: Soy Chorizo

Photo: YouTube / WorldofRandomStuff

This vegan alternative to meat dish, delicious soy sausage without gluten. Especially good for taco stuffing. One Reddit user called the product “tasty and cheap,” adding: “I'm a meat-eater, and I will choose it for tacos instead of anything else.”

Buy: Lemon Verben French Soap

Something from Trader Joe's small range of bathroom and personal care products is worth adding to your shopping list. Many praise the French soap "Lemon Verbena", which one of the fans called "light and refreshing."

• Avoid: ready made salads

From slimy greens to dry grains and questionable meats, the salads at Trader Joe's are what you risk getting. From time to time you may get lucky and buy a fresh product, but why take the risk? The Daily Meal described one salmon salad this way: "Be prepared to scoop up the salmon and serve it to a stray cat who might give it away to someone else."

Buy: tortellini with cheese

Photo: Trader Joe's

For an Italian dinner, this is a quick product for little money - and it's also very tasty. Tortellini is "one of my favorite easy lunches served with Trader Joe's sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese," one fan wrote.

Buy: These Peanuts Bars Go on a Date

For a quick increase in energy, these peanut bars are the best fit.

"They're sweet enough to give me energy in the afternoon, after a workout, or when I'm hungry and stuck on a long drive," said Kelly Foster, assistant food editor at The Kitchn.

• Avoid: fresh meat

Many picky buyers are not familiar with the meat section of the store. A common complaint is that the supply chain is too long, it may take weeks between packaging and delivery to your store. Admittedly, “quality can vary from point to point, so find out what people are saying about the store near you before your next purchase.”

Buy: Spinach-Artichoke Sauce

Trader Joe's creamy spinach and artichoke sauce is so good that you can make it homemade.

"Trader Joe's version is a great option if you don't have time to make the sauce yourself," writes Southern Living magazine.

Buy: cereal

Although you will not find Fruit Loops and Cheerios, flakes under their own store brand are just as good and cheaper.

"You can get a large box of Joe's O's for just $1,99, and tons of other varieties for $2 to $4,30," writes Jamie Cattanach of The Penny Hoarder.

• Avoid: paper products

It is tempting to take a pack of toilet paper during the weekly shopping trip. And the price of 3,99 dollars for six rolls is not so bad. However, The Cheet Sheat recommends ordering paper products in bulk to get the most out of the money spent, which Trader Joe's does not offer.

Фото: Depositphotos

Buy: dried fruits

Trader Joe's has an impressive selection of dried fruits available in sweetened and unsweetened varieties. According to The Daily Meal, Just Mango slices are great (all varieties come in convenient resealable plastic bags).

• Avoid: Frozen Rice

Although Trader Joe's frozen rice packages are convenient, CNBC warns it will be a little expensive. Three 10-ounce packages of frozen rice will cost you Trader Joe's 2,99 dollars, but in places like ShopRite, you can get an 12-ounce package for 0,99 dollars.

Buy: Frozen Snacks

Great prices here, but not all snacks are equally good. The Daily Meal recommends pork meat gyoza, chicken mini tacos and vegetable samosas.

• Avoid: Mixture of Nuts, Fruits and Honey

Photo: Trader Joe's

This jar of goodies looks like a work of art, but in fact it contains a lot of fat and sugar.

"Nuts, fruits and honey may sound like health in a jar, but don't be fooled," writes Marissa Laliberte of Reader's Digest. She says the product contains "a whopping 300 calories per quarter-cup serving."

Buy: eggs

Regular eggs at Trader Joe's are probably the cheapest you can find in major grocery stores. However, The Penny Hoarder notes that Trader Joe's does not sell so-called ethical eggs—those obtained under particularly humane conditions. Worth checking out if you just want to save money.

• Avoid: Frozen Pie Essentials

Photo: Trader Joe's

Since the homemade baking base is quite complicated to prepare, ready-made options can save time and stay healthy. However, shoppers told The Kitchn that Trader Joe's frozen foundations tend to crack or spread during baking.

Buy: hummus

Photo: Trader Joe's

If you like to smear hummus on everything, Trader Joe's will help you. While brands like Sabra cost 4-6 dollars for a jar, depending on size and taste, you can buy them for a couple of dollars cheaper at TJ. In addition, as noted by The Daily Meal, you get the benefits of special flavors such as tomatoes and basil, Mediterranean dishes and sriracha.

• Avoid: vitamins

Lauren Greutman, an expert on budget shopping, told CNBC that Trader Joe's vitamins are relatively more expensive than in stores like Target or in pharmacies like CVS. For example, a jar of vitamin B on 100 pieces is sold for 5,99 dollars at Trader Joe's and for 4,75 dollars at Walgreens.

“Keep an eye on sales at your local grocery store. Or try a health food market in your area, which often offers samples or coupons, writes Megan Leonhardt in a CNBC article.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Trader Joe's 10 products that are definitely worth trying in the summer

7 frozen dishes in Trader Joe's up to $ 5, which tastes better than in a cafe

6 products that are profitable to buy from Trader Joe's

15 Secrets of Good Shopping at Trader Joe's

6 products not worth buying at Trader Joe's

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.