Home Notifications Newsletters Next Share

I live halfway around the world from Trader Joe's and only visit twice a year. Here's what I fill my suitcase with.https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/food/news/i-live-halfway-around-the-world-from-trader-joeaposs-and-only-visit-twice-a-year-hereaposs-what-i-fill-my-suitcase-with-/slidelist/108166685.cms2024-03-02T20:53:14+05:30

I live halfway around the world from Trader Joe's and only visit twice a year. Here's what I fill my suitcase with.

Advertisement

Elizabeth SinclairMar 2, 2024, 20:53 IST

I live halfway around the world from Trader Joe's and only visit twice a year. Here's what I fill my suitcase with. — I make plenty of room in my luggage for my favorite Trader Joe's products. Elizabeth Sinclair
I live in Indonesia and only get to shop at Trader Joe's when I visit the States twice a year.
I usually fill a whole suitcase with products for myself and to give out as gifts.
Since moving from the US to Indonesia, one of the things I miss most is shopping at Trader Joe's. My daughter and I still crave our favorite products, but the chain only exists in the States.
When I visit family in the US twice a year, I always buy enough to fill an entire suitcase.
Here are my favorite things to buy at Trader Joe's.

Advertisement

Extra-virgin olive oil is a reliable pantry staple for cooking and salads.

Extra-virgin olive oil is a reliable pantry staple for cooking and salads. — Trader Joe's has great olive oil. Elizabeth Sinclair
I find Trader Joe's slightly peppery, delicately flavored oil consistent from bottle to bottle and well-priced.
I use it at home to sauté veggies, dress salads, flavor soups and dips, and drizzle on bread.
I've found it hard to find good-quality olive oil in Indonesia, so I always bring back a few bottles.

Balsamic vinegar of Modena has an earthy flavor that's sweet and sharp.

Balsamic vinegar of Modena has an earthy flavor that's sweet and sharp. — Balsamic vinegar is a staple in my pantry. Elizabeth Sinclair
Balsamic vinegar is another pantry staple I use in salads, cooking, and dips.
It's even great drizzled over fresh fruit, ice cream, or pie.

Advertisement

Ghost-pepper potato chips are a crunchy, spicy combination.

Ghost-pepper potato chips are a crunchy, spicy combination. — The spicy potato chips at Trader Joe's are very unique. Elizabeth Sinclair
My daughter loves Trader Joe's spicy, salty chips made with potatoes and fiery ghost peppers — even if they arrive home slightly crushed in my luggage.
I add a handful to her school lunches while they last.

Nutritional yeast is an underutilized topping for many dishes.

Nutritional yeast is an underutilized topping for many dishes. — I stock up on Trader Joe's inexpensive nutritional yeast.Elizabeth Sinclair
Trader Joe's nutritional yeast is versatile, inexpensive, and high in B vitamins. It adds a nice, cheesy flavor to popcorn, soups, and salads.
It's hard to find and expensive in Indonesia, so I make sure to bring extra bags as gifts.

Advertisement

The daily facial sunscreen is my teen’s favorite face product.

The daily facial sunscreen is my teen’s favorite face product. — Trader Joe's invisible gel sunscreen is a dupe for Supergoop. Elizabeth Sinclair
I picked up Trader Joe's sunscreen for my daughter a few years ago, and it's now her favorite skin-care product.
The oil-free sunscreen contains SPF 40, and it's light, nongreasy, and well-priced.

Sturdy cotton shopping bags come in a range of fun, food-related designs.

Sturdy cotton shopping bags come in a range of fun, food-related designs. — I always pick up the latest design. Elizabeth Sinclair
Every Trader Joe's store has artists on staff, and the colorful, fun signage, store murals, and shopping bags are created in-house.
On each trip, I look forward to seeing the new designs.
I usually buy a whole stack of bags since they're inexpensive, and I'll wrap Christmas and birthday presents in them as an extra gift.

Advertisement

The turmeric shot is a fruity vitamin boost after a long plane ride.

The turmeric shot is a fruity vitamin boost after a long plane ride. — I like to take a juice shot after travel days. Elizabeth Sinclair
Trader Joe's cold-pressed juice shots in the refrigerated section give me a good vitamin boost after a long, dehydrating plane ride.
The refreshing coconut water and lemon juice balance out the flavors of the spicy black pepper and turmeric.

Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend is great and easy to pack.

Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend is great and easy to pack. — I can stock up on a few jars of seasoning.Elizabeth Sinclair
The small jar of seasoning is bursting with umami flavor that's perfect for any savory dish.
I always bring back multiple jars for friends and family.

Advertisement

Chai-tea mints are another one of my teen’s favorite products.

Chai-tea mints are another one of my teen’s favorite products. — The flavored mints are usually located near the checkout.Elizabeth Sinclair
My daughter loves Trader Joe's tea-flavored mints. They have a lightly spicy chai flavor and leave her breath minty fresh.
She keeps a tin in her school bag to use after lunch.

Dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups are a rich treat.

Dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups are a rich treat. — I always pick up some chocolaty treats. Elizabeth Sinclair
I always make space in my luggage for the creamy, peanut-butter cups coated in dark chocolate. Everyone in my family loves them.
Sadly they don't last long when I get back home.

Advertisement

Peanut-butter-filled pretzel nuggets are a great snack.

Peanut-butter-filled pretzel nuggets are a great snack. — I think the peanut-butter-filled pretzels are filling and flavorful. Elizabeth Sinclair
Trader Joe's peanut-butter-filled pretzel nuggets are a high-protein after-school snack (a serving has 5 grams).
My daughter and her friends love the interesting combination of salty, crunchy pretzels with smooth, creamy peanut butter. They're also a great party nibble for adults — if the kids haven't devoured them all.

Unexpected Cheddar is a unique and delicious cheese.

Unexpected Cheddar is a unique and delicious cheese. — I make plenty of room in my luggage for my favorite Trader Joe's products. Elizabeth Sinclair
Trader Joe's beloved Unexpected Cheddar is creamy with a hint of a sharp bite. It really is an unexpected flavor combination, and it's so good.
Cheese is usually expensive in Indonesia, so I like to bring back a few blocks as gifts.
Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

Advertisement

Next Story I'm a private chef who tried 20 of Aldi's dips, a...

Advertisement

View All Latest

Advertisement

Copyright © 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.