The Inside Trader Joe's podcast wrapped its second season this week, and as a gift to the TJ's obsessed (🙋), co-hosts Matt Sloan, Trader Joe's VP of Marketing Product, and Marketing Director Tara Miller gave listeners a sneak peak at what's to come in 2019. The two shared five new products that will be in stores in the coming months—here's a recap.
Mandarin Orange Chicken Bowl
Trader Joe's has added some solid frozen bowls to the freezer aisle this year, including the Sriracha Shrimp Bowl, which I highly recommend. Next year though, they're coming out with one that will most certainly fly off shelves: A mandarin orange chicken bowl that comes with rice, chicken, and veggies all ready to microwave in just a few minutes. You get us, Trader Joe's.
Shredded Unexpected Cheddar
Tara is very excited for this one, which is the shredded version of TJ's Unexpected Cheddar block. Per Tara's Fearless Flyer post, the cheese "tastes like an aged Cheddar, and then something unexpected happens. The smooth creaminess of the Cheddar gives way to a tangy flavor and slightly crumbly texture, a subtle hint of salt crystallization is discovered, and it begins to taste like an aged Parmesan." We're pretty pumped.
Pimento Cheese
As someone who didn't try pimento cheese until college (and then promptly fell in love), I'm very excited for this to soon be available to the masses. The southern staple is delicious on sandwiches, as a dip, and on burgers.
Cave-Aged Spanish Cheese
Okay, they're really leaning into the cheese here, but no one's complaining, Matt talked up this cheese, which he says will be in stores around April. It's from Spain's La Mancha region, and is similar to manchego (the unofficial best cheese ever). Instead of being made just from sheep's milk, though, it blends sheep's, cow's, and goat's milks. "I'm looking forward to making a 2019 grilled cheese with that in spring," Matt said, speaking for just about everyone.
Scented Candles
Trader Joe's scented candles came in hot this year, which makes all the sense considering they're $4 and I've never met someone who can resist a nice-smelling candle. Fear not, there's more where that Honeycrisp apple candle came from. This spring, a lemon cookie scented candle will be in stores.
