Trader Joe’s Just Leaked Info on 6 New Items That Will Hit Stores Soon

While we continue to navigate this global pandemic, the folks at Trader Joe’s have released their newest episode of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast. They recorded the episode over the last six weeks: “While the world has changed since we started it, we decided the time was still right to share it with you because, well, we all still need a good cup of coffee,” says Tara Miller, Trader Joe’s Director of Words, Phrases, and Clauses. The episode starts off with an explanation on why delivery or curbside pickup are not options (setting either one up would be a massive undertaking and doesn’t exactly mesh with their mission). The rest of the episode focuses on, you guessed it, Trader Joe’s coffee — what’s trending, why they have certain flavors, what’s next, etc. And at the very end (like, the last few minutes), the hosts switch gears to talk about six exciting products that will hit shelves soon.

Although your Trader Joe’s might not be all that normal right now (read: lines just to get in and emptier-than-usual shelves), store execs are thinking about the future. Hence, the new products. Let’s take a look at the six that got a shoutout in the podcast.

Tara told a story about her sister calling with some feedback from one of her friends: Apparently Friend Fran loves the Step Up to the Bar Mix, but she wanted the honey mustard pretzel pieces as a stand-alone product. And she gets her wish! “We’ve got a bag of just those pretzel pieces coming and they’re really, really great,” says Matt Sloan, TJ’s marketing product guru. “They have a nice sweetness, a little bit of this tanginess from the mustard, a little powdered onion to round out the flavor. Delicious.” Look for these later in the spring.

New cookies! They’re a play on TJ’s popular This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar. Tara says they’re like birthday cake — only in a sandwich cookie form — and have sprinkles, of course. “They’re really fun and they’re sweet,” she adds. “You have to have a sweet tooth, but if you’re eating cookies, I’m kind of assuming you have a sweet tooth, right?”

You may have noticed that Trader Joe’s only has one kind of ketchup? “Not for long folks, because we’re going to have a limited edition ketchup with black summer truffles,” Matt teases. “And to be fair, this is delicious. So it’s worth a second spot. Don’t expect it forever, but I think this is going to be great on French fries.” This should be released around the beginning of May.

Unfortunately, Matt and Tara don’t say much about these dumplings, other than the fact that they’re coming. But honestly, there’s not much more we need to know.

Springle Jangle was teased in an earlier podcast episode and it’s finally happening (likely by the end of this month). Here’s what we know about it.

It is not clear what exactly this is (beyond popcorn), but here’s what Matt had to say: “A little bit of tangy acidity, some salt, some smoky, some sweet. It’s pretty fun.” He’s thinking the popcorn will come out in May.

Which of these are you most excited about?