Inside Trader Joe's

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)

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 have a couple of super suggestions for wines to serve for Thanksgiving. It's a big meal, filled with big flavors, and the right wine pairing for such a varied feast can seem elusive. Not anymore. Join us for a conversation with one of our resident wine whizzes, where we uncork a classic California Chardonnay, and a Pinot Noir that proves you can (and perhaps should) serve red wine with poultry. Then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle for today, and another for your holiday meal, without busting your budget! Transcript (PDF)

We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. And we really love answering them. One question we get all the time is about our product names. Why are some of them just descriptive (say, Cauliflower Gnocchi) while others are decidedly silly (This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar, anyone?)? Every Trader Joe's product has a story to tell – sometimes that story is really straightforward, and sometimes it's silly and whimsical and fun. In the spirit of making grocery shopping a fun and exciting adventure rather than a mundane chore, we're always looking for the silly, the whimsical, and the fun. Have a listen, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to find your favorite. (Midnight Moo, perhaps?) Transcript (PDF)

When the weather's warm (okay, scorching hot), and the last thing you want to do is heat up your kitchen, turning up the heat on your grill is a great way to get dinner on the table. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're going outside for some grilling tips from some of our grill-grate gurus. In place of the usual suspects, we're firing up some unexpected burgers and well-seasoned lamb. Then we're taking a trip through the garden to discover some truly delightful (and delicious!) veggies and fruits that really shine after a few quick minutes over an open flame. Have a listen, then switch off the oven, heat up the grill, and enjoy these dog (and burger!) days of summer. 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 all-in on super sippers for summertime soirees, with bottles you may have missed in our wine section; wines that are excellent for afternoon barbecues, evenings with friends, and weekends relaxing on a patio chair. Listen in for a quick introduction to our favorite Italian Vermentino and a classic Pacific Northwest Pinot Noir, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle of each! Transcript (PDF)

We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. And we really love answering them. Especially when it means we get to eat ice cream. For research. To all those who ask what makes Trader Joe's ice cream so special, we say, all the things! It starts with high quality ingredients, and a dedication to making ice cream that over-delivers on all of your expectations – it's rich, it's creamy, it's incredibly flavorful, and you may be surprised by how it stacks up next to other so-called "premium" ice creams out there. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to really get the scoop on Trader Joe's ice cream. 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 691 in Chicago's iconic Lincoln Park neighborhood. Captain Ken, a Chicago native – who may or may not have a favorite Chicago baseball team – 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)

There are certain foods that are synonymous with their place names. Parmigianno Reggiano. Kalamata Olives. And the focus of this episode, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. A world-renowned product with a long and fascinating history, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is produced exclusively in the Modena region of Italy. In this episode we sit down (and do a bunch of walking!) with one of Modena's largest and most respected producers of this vigorous vinegar – they've been supplying Trader Joe's for decades – where we learn some history and get a behind-the-scenes look at how it's made. Listen in for a sneak peak at a new TJ's product coming soon to your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Trasncript (PDF)