I love Trader Joe We don't have them in the UK so I'll stock up whenever I'm near one, and like you, spend hours checking out products. I'm shocked to hear they're owned by Aldi. Aldi we have in plenty, so maybe they'll consider a world expansion.
Your article brought back many happy memories of my trip to New York in October 2019 with my daughter. We had such a great time looking at all the halloween costumes and decorations. And yes, we did try a pumpkin spiced coffee from Starbucks. It was weird. Pumpkin spice isn't really a thing here in Australia, but I loved reading all your research.
Enjoyed your article. Time to walk over to Trader Joe's and try some of those products!
I'd like to try cooked squash like butternut or kabocha in the 2 recipes. Also, I'd love to try the pumpkin-apple loaf with half the amount of sugar. Do you think that would work?
Kabocha and butternut are really great! I had an entire meal made with kabocha items recently in Japan, where it’s hugely popular, especially in fall!
I think the pumpkin-apple bread might be fine, just less sweet, which may mean the pumpkin and spice flavors stand out more. If you do try the recipe with reduced sugar, please let me know how it comes out!
P.S.: Just in case you want to read more about the effect of reducing sugar in different types of cakes, there’s an edifying post on the King Arthur website about it:
Who does not have Trader Joe's as a best friend and advisor in the kitchen? I have shopped at T Joes for at least 25 years. Pumpkin was never a fav, but through their eyes, I see it differently and use it in a wide variety of ways. Plus, I have made my rendition of the delicious Butternut Mac and Cheese which is superb. Thank you Ruth for this walk through Pumpkin Park at T Joes!
Thanks for your comment, Sally! “Pumpkin Park” is a good way to put it! Yum on a new version of a Butternut Mac—you’re giving me ideas! Wishing you many more happy days (& years!) of shopping at T Joe’s!🤗
Lolly, you're too kind! For one who's a TJ's addict, writing about it was a bit self-indulgent but fun! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Just a side note: I made two tomato pestos you wrote about recently--one with sundried tomatoes and the other with fresh. Both were excellent and will join my repertoire of dishes on repeat!
Enjoy your travels and family. I love TJs but it is just the place we fill in the gaps. Here are two possible references that you and your readers might find surprising. One is regarding TJs as a subsidiary of Aldi North of Germany (yes that Aldi's) -- while both have nurtured a loyal audience I would imagine some TJ customers can't readily nurture a connection to Aldi's :) https://www.tastingtable.com/910536/the-connection-between-trader-joes-and-aldi/ The other story is the about the philosophy of business at TJs and why it might just be a better way to run a grocery store. This one is one of my favorite podcasts Freakonomics. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/should-america-be-run-by-trader-joes/
Thanks so much for your good wishes and for the two links, Mark. You always have something interesting and useful to add to the discussion. I look forward to listening to the Freakonomics podcast--I imagine it may become one of my favorites too!
I knew that Trader Joe's had been sold to a German company many decades back, but I didn't know much about Aldi North. I've been grateful that TJ's is privately owned for a while because I think it allows it to maintain lower prices and treat its workers better. Many at my local store have been there for years. Still, I know there may be a darker aspect to the company that I didn't get into in this story. Some smaller producers whose products ended up on TJ's shelves under its private label feel the company has taken advantage of them. I'm not sure how widespread the discontent is. Here's a link to that story in case you're interested: https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/gaza-tj-labor-hbo-nba/trader-joes.
Thanks. I will make time to read the link. I understand from a good friend who is directly involved in the grocery supplier business that MANY of the private label suppliers at TJ and Aldi are common. Most of the organic and specialty products at Aldi and TJ are provided by the same companies. Their shared supply chain is largely considered the most efficient in the business. I love the offbeat products at TJs especially the Luxardo cherry knockoffs -- critical to a great old-fashioned :)
EDIT: BTW I read in a business magazine a funny story about Aldi many years ago. They are the largest grocery store in the world (bigger than WalMart). It was a family business and when the old man died and later his wife, two sons inherited the business. They HATED EACH OTHER and the Company was split across the world into territories so they would never compete. To this day, especially in Europe if you go into an Aldi Nord vs Aldi Sud (those damn brothers) one is willing to sell the vices (booze and tobacco) while the other refuses to sell those products. Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe's ( hence the former 2 buck Chuck) while Aldi Sud runs the Aldi chain in the US
Addendum to your edit: Fascinating story about Aldi Nord vs Aldi Sud--the two brothers who hate each other and build competing businesses. As in families, so it goes in business--an age-old story! Thanks again, Mark!
That's so interesting! I will have to look for that Luxardo cherry knockoff--I love Luxardo but am usually leery because of the price. I've been particularly happy about the new baking supply additions, especially almond paste, which is similar to one I buy at twice the price at mainline groceries, and the vanilla beans that are probably three times as much. The only thing is that so many of these items are on the shelves for a minute before they sell out, not always to be resupplied. Oh well...
I go into my local TJs and ask when they are scheduled to receive some of the products we really love. The cherries are great (CostCo also carries the product sometimes but TOO LARGE of a bottle)
They seel a great bottled green tea mixed with blueberry...love it as an interesting mixer
As a British recipe developer who writes recipes for American websites I always dread pumpkin spice season because whilst I like the spice... I don't really like sweet pumpkin flavoured anything, in my book pumpkin should be savoury. But, speaking about uniquely American tastes for the holidays spreading, I do miss the proliferation of peppermint that used to happen in the Trader Joe's across from my apartment in Los Angeles - please tell me they still make chocolate coated peppermint marshmallows??
I'm starting to agree with you more and more, Rachel, especially after being exposed to the onslaught of overly sweet pumpkin spice products. I actually added some leftover canned pumpkin to a bean, turkey and sausage chili I was making last night, and it turned out pretty great, just a hint of pumpkin flavor mixed in with the deep tomato and chili spices--and not one hint of pumpkin spice! Now I'm on the hunt for more savory pumpkin or butternut squash recipes.
As for chocolate-coated peppermint marshmallows, I looked them up on the TJ's site and couldn't find them (though I did see mini maple-flavored ones!). But there's hope yet--many more products hit the shelves closer to Christmas--and I know chocolate mint is very popular--I know there's a cocoa.
Even in the very north of Scotland, I saw a cafe serving Starbucks pumpkin spice latte! It seems to have found its way almost everywhere. In our couple of trips to the States, I’ve spend quite a bit of time in Trader Joe’s - the range of products always amazes me!
Ah, it seems pumpkin spice latte has conquered the world! There must be a special chemical that appeals to the senses of most humans--except for those who can't stand the stuff! It does seem to be a pretty divisive topic. But most folks do enjoy Trader Joe's. Even if you don't buy a lot, it's entertaining to see what's new on the shelves--and there always is, especially at this time of year.
Thanks so much for your comment, Julia! I think I should be wishing you a Happy Spring!🌸🍃
Wow! Trader Joe’s should give you a commission for your great advertisement! 😊 I love this time of year and all the spices, including pumpkin spice! 🎃 🍁🍁🍁
Great to see the photo of my old TJ store where you & I sometimes bumped into each other! 😊 Whenever I shop at my new Trader Joe’s store here in Oregon, I feel at home immediately. Same friendly service and good quality items for sale. The only thing missing is bumping into you! Happy Fall! 🍁
Aww, thanks, Linda! I do miss bumping into you at TJ’s. I’m not surprised you felt right at home in the store in Oregon. I don’t think they vary much from state to state. I wonder if you’ve come across products you wouldn’t find here – maybe not as we’re neighbors. Are you making anything interesting with those pumpkin spices? I’d love to know! Happy fall!🎃🍎🥰🍁
Wow, way more pumpkin spice products than I imagined. In general I like to add my own spices to baked goods as the pre-mixed pumpkin spice has always seemed too aggressive for my taste. The pumpkin bread looks delicious, though! My favorite pumpkin dessert is Ruth Levy Beranbaum’s pumpkin cheesecake, published many years ago in Fine Cooking magazine. I love it precisely because it doesn’t call for spices ~ except maybe gingersnaps for the crust. As lukewarm as I am on pumpkin spice, I will take it over the heinous stench of a cinnamon broom any day 😂😅🎃🧹
Yes, I was blown away by the quantity of pumpkin and pumpkin spice products, though I can't really say much about the quality as I didn't buy much except for the canned pumpkin to use in my recipe. The pumpkin bread really is good--basic but fun to play around with.
I just looked up Rose Levy Beranbaum's pumpkin cheesecake recipe and now I will have to make it! You're so right, Domenica--aside from the gingersnap crust and an optional half teaspoon of cinnamon, there's no spice in it--how refreshing! Oh, and you're also right about that obnoxious cinnamon broom! I actually like cinnamon, but I once brought home one of those brooms, and it was so noxious I had to throw it out after an hour or two of choking on the fumes! But I guess someone must like it--they sell it every year!😆🧹😮💨
So glad you wrote about this because I was just at Trader Joe’s the other day and I was shocked by how many pumpkin products they had…😳 wow… not exactly a fan of the pumpkin thing but I’m slowly inching my way toward liking it. Anyway, I’ll have to try the pumpkin apple bread that you mentioned!!
Thanks, Hoang! It really is shocking to see so many of those pumpkin products. In the good old days before Covid, TJ’s used to sample a whole lot more of them than they do now, but these days the samplings are few and far between. I’m forever asking the workers what they think, and they’re usually pretty good guides.
If you do try making the pumpkin apple bread, I’d love to know your thoughts.
I like pumpkin spice but (as a New England native) am more into the uptick in maple products I’ve been seeing this season. I came home from Trader Joe’s yesterday with both maple coffee and maple cream to use on waffles and apples!
Mmmm…! Love maple on anything. Clearly part 2 should be on the growth of maple products at TJ’s! Maple syrup on pumpkin pancakes wouldn’t be so bad either. Thanks for your comment, Amy!
I love Trader Joe We don't have them in the UK so I'll stock up whenever I'm near one, and like you, spend hours checking out products. I'm shocked to hear they're owned by Aldi. Aldi we have in plenty, so maybe they'll consider a world expansion.
Your article brought back many happy memories of my trip to New York in October 2019 with my daughter. We had such a great time looking at all the halloween costumes and decorations. And yes, we did try a pumpkin spiced coffee from Starbucks. It was weird. Pumpkin spice isn't really a thing here in Australia, but I loved reading all your research.
Enjoyed your article. Time to walk over to Trader Joe's and try some of those products!
I'd like to try cooked squash like butternut or kabocha in the 2 recipes. Also, I'd love to try the pumpkin-apple loaf with half the amount of sugar. Do you think that would work?
Thanks for your comments, Faye!
Kabocha and butternut are really great! I had an entire meal made with kabocha items recently in Japan, where it’s hugely popular, especially in fall!
I think the pumpkin-apple bread might be fine, just less sweet, which may mean the pumpkin and spice flavors stand out more. If you do try the recipe with reduced sugar, please let me know how it comes out!
P.S.: Just in case you want to read more about the effect of reducing sugar in different types of cakes, there’s an edifying post on the King Arthur website about it:
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2017/04/26/reduce-sugar-in-cake
Thank you, Ruth!
Who does not have Trader Joe's as a best friend and advisor in the kitchen? I have shopped at T Joes for at least 25 years. Pumpkin was never a fav, but through their eyes, I see it differently and use it in a wide variety of ways. Plus, I have made my rendition of the delicious Butternut Mac and Cheese which is superb. Thank you Ruth for this walk through Pumpkin Park at T Joes!
I've never had Butternut Mac and Cheese. It sounds so yummy!
I might have to try that one too!🤗
Thanks for your comment, Sally! “Pumpkin Park” is a good way to put it! Yum on a new version of a Butternut Mac—you’re giving me ideas! Wishing you many more happy days (& years!) of shopping at T Joe’s!🤗
Yummm!
Thanks, Clarice. Hope you’re on the mend!
Pumpkin martinis? Even if I still drank, that would be a hard pass.
Thanks for such a fun and informative story!
Thanks, Amie! That really does sound pretty good--there's got to be an alcohol-free version, though if there is, Starbucks will be selling it soon!
Pumpkins forever--and blueberries too!🤗
I like pumpkin spice where it belongs -- pies, muffins-- but never in my coffee!!!
Here, here, Evelyn! I couldn't agree more!☕️
I find this post and everything in it absolutely fascinating Ruth! All the variations are wild! Love your posts and ideas!
Lolly, you're too kind! For one who's a TJ's addict, writing about it was a bit self-indulgent but fun! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Just a side note: I made two tomato pestos you wrote about recently--one with sundried tomatoes and the other with fresh. Both were excellent and will join my repertoire of dishes on repeat!
Ah! But for me it was like reading about grocery stores on the moon! I loved it! SO happy to hear you loved the Sicilian pestos! This makes my day 😍
Enjoy your travels and family. I love TJs but it is just the place we fill in the gaps. Here are two possible references that you and your readers might find surprising. One is regarding TJs as a subsidiary of Aldi North of Germany (yes that Aldi's) -- while both have nurtured a loyal audience I would imagine some TJ customers can't readily nurture a connection to Aldi's :) https://www.tastingtable.com/910536/the-connection-between-trader-joes-and-aldi/ The other story is the about the philosophy of business at TJs and why it might just be a better way to run a grocery store. This one is one of my favorite podcasts Freakonomics. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/should-america-be-run-by-trader-joes/
Thanks so much for your good wishes and for the two links, Mark. You always have something interesting and useful to add to the discussion. I look forward to listening to the Freakonomics podcast--I imagine it may become one of my favorites too!
I knew that Trader Joe's had been sold to a German company many decades back, but I didn't know much about Aldi North. I've been grateful that TJ's is privately owned for a while because I think it allows it to maintain lower prices and treat its workers better. Many at my local store have been there for years. Still, I know there may be a darker aspect to the company that I didn't get into in this story. Some smaller producers whose products ended up on TJ's shelves under its private label feel the company has taken advantage of them. I'm not sure how widespread the discontent is. Here's a link to that story in case you're interested: https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/gaza-tj-labor-hbo-nba/trader-joes.
Thanks. I will make time to read the link. I understand from a good friend who is directly involved in the grocery supplier business that MANY of the private label suppliers at TJ and Aldi are common. Most of the organic and specialty products at Aldi and TJ are provided by the same companies. Their shared supply chain is largely considered the most efficient in the business. I love the offbeat products at TJs especially the Luxardo cherry knockoffs -- critical to a great old-fashioned :)
EDIT: BTW I read in a business magazine a funny story about Aldi many years ago. They are the largest grocery store in the world (bigger than WalMart). It was a family business and when the old man died and later his wife, two sons inherited the business. They HATED EACH OTHER and the Company was split across the world into territories so they would never compete. To this day, especially in Europe if you go into an Aldi Nord vs Aldi Sud (those damn brothers) one is willing to sell the vices (booze and tobacco) while the other refuses to sell those products. Aldi Nord owns Trader Joe's ( hence the former 2 buck Chuck) while Aldi Sud runs the Aldi chain in the US
Addendum to your edit: Fascinating story about Aldi Nord vs Aldi Sud--the two brothers who hate each other and build competing businesses. As in families, so it goes in business--an age-old story! Thanks again, Mark!
That's so interesting! I will have to look for that Luxardo cherry knockoff--I love Luxardo but am usually leery because of the price. I've been particularly happy about the new baking supply additions, especially almond paste, which is similar to one I buy at twice the price at mainline groceries, and the vanilla beans that are probably three times as much. The only thing is that so many of these items are on the shelves for a minute before they sell out, not always to be resupplied. Oh well...
I go into my local TJs and ask when they are scheduled to receive some of the products we really love. The cherries are great (CostCo also carries the product sometimes but TOO LARGE of a bottle)
They seel a great bottled green tea mixed with blueberry...love it as an interesting mixer
Oh yum! Thanks for the tips, Mark!
As a British recipe developer who writes recipes for American websites I always dread pumpkin spice season because whilst I like the spice... I don't really like sweet pumpkin flavoured anything, in my book pumpkin should be savoury. But, speaking about uniquely American tastes for the holidays spreading, I do miss the proliferation of peppermint that used to happen in the Trader Joe's across from my apartment in Los Angeles - please tell me they still make chocolate coated peppermint marshmallows??
I'm starting to agree with you more and more, Rachel, especially after being exposed to the onslaught of overly sweet pumpkin spice products. I actually added some leftover canned pumpkin to a bean, turkey and sausage chili I was making last night, and it turned out pretty great, just a hint of pumpkin flavor mixed in with the deep tomato and chili spices--and not one hint of pumpkin spice! Now I'm on the hunt for more savory pumpkin or butternut squash recipes.
As for chocolate-coated peppermint marshmallows, I looked them up on the TJ's site and couldn't find them (though I did see mini maple-flavored ones!). But there's hope yet--many more products hit the shelves closer to Christmas--and I know chocolate mint is very popular--I know there's a cocoa.
Thanks so much for your comment, Rachel!
Even in the very north of Scotland, I saw a cafe serving Starbucks pumpkin spice latte! It seems to have found its way almost everywhere. In our couple of trips to the States, I’ve spend quite a bit of time in Trader Joe’s - the range of products always amazes me!
Ah, it seems pumpkin spice latte has conquered the world! There must be a special chemical that appeals to the senses of most humans--except for those who can't stand the stuff! It does seem to be a pretty divisive topic. But most folks do enjoy Trader Joe's. Even if you don't buy a lot, it's entertaining to see what's new on the shelves--and there always is, especially at this time of year.
Thanks so much for your comment, Julia! I think I should be wishing you a Happy Spring!🌸🍃
Wow! Trader Joe’s should give you a commission for your great advertisement! 😊 I love this time of year and all the spices, including pumpkin spice! 🎃 🍁🍁🍁
Great to see the photo of my old TJ store where you & I sometimes bumped into each other! 😊 Whenever I shop at my new Trader Joe’s store here in Oregon, I feel at home immediately. Same friendly service and good quality items for sale. The only thing missing is bumping into you! Happy Fall! 🍁
Aww, thanks, Linda! I do miss bumping into you at TJ’s. I’m not surprised you felt right at home in the store in Oregon. I don’t think they vary much from state to state. I wonder if you’ve come across products you wouldn’t find here – maybe not as we’re neighbors. Are you making anything interesting with those pumpkin spices? I’d love to know! Happy fall!🎃🍎🥰🍁
Wow, way more pumpkin spice products than I imagined. In general I like to add my own spices to baked goods as the pre-mixed pumpkin spice has always seemed too aggressive for my taste. The pumpkin bread looks delicious, though! My favorite pumpkin dessert is Ruth Levy Beranbaum’s pumpkin cheesecake, published many years ago in Fine Cooking magazine. I love it precisely because it doesn’t call for spices ~ except maybe gingersnaps for the crust. As lukewarm as I am on pumpkin spice, I will take it over the heinous stench of a cinnamon broom any day 😂😅🎃🧹
Yes, I was blown away by the quantity of pumpkin and pumpkin spice products, though I can't really say much about the quality as I didn't buy much except for the canned pumpkin to use in my recipe. The pumpkin bread really is good--basic but fun to play around with.
I just looked up Rose Levy Beranbaum's pumpkin cheesecake recipe and now I will have to make it! You're so right, Domenica--aside from the gingersnap crust and an optional half teaspoon of cinnamon, there's no spice in it--how refreshing! Oh, and you're also right about that obnoxious cinnamon broom! I actually like cinnamon, but I once brought home one of those brooms, and it was so noxious I had to throw it out after an hour or two of choking on the fumes! But I guess someone must like it--they sell it every year!😆🧹😮💨
So glad you wrote about this because I was just at Trader Joe’s the other day and I was shocked by how many pumpkin products they had…😳 wow… not exactly a fan of the pumpkin thing but I’m slowly inching my way toward liking it. Anyway, I’ll have to try the pumpkin apple bread that you mentioned!!
Thanks, Hoang! It really is shocking to see so many of those pumpkin products. In the good old days before Covid, TJ’s used to sample a whole lot more of them than they do now, but these days the samplings are few and far between. I’m forever asking the workers what they think, and they’re usually pretty good guides.
If you do try making the pumpkin apple bread, I’d love to know your thoughts.
I like pumpkin spice but (as a New England native) am more into the uptick in maple products I’ve been seeing this season. I came home from Trader Joe’s yesterday with both maple coffee and maple cream to use on waffles and apples!
Mmmm…! Love maple on anything. Clearly part 2 should be on the growth of maple products at TJ’s! Maple syrup on pumpkin pancakes wouldn’t be so bad either. Thanks for your comment, Amy!
I like pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, but that's it. Luckily TJ stores abound and I have a local baker. Ha ha...it's YOU! Fun article.
Thanks, Judy! Got some pumpkin apple bread with your name on it!