Trader Joe’s fans are almost as passionate as “Disney Adults.” With countless blogs, TikTok accounts, and YouTube channels dedicated to the grocery chain, these food lovers are truly dedicated. But hey, I get it! I am a Trader Joe’s fan, myself. From its ever-changing snack displays and weekly new product drops all the way to its kind employees and wonderful floral section, this place just feels different from other grocery shops.
With fewer options than your average Meijer or Whole Foods, they have a “Less Is Better approach” that reduces the mental energy needed to sift through multiple products and brands. Additionally, they have several services in place to aid with a better shopper experience, including more accessible employees on the floor, a bell system to speed up the ringing out process, cheeky signs and food art around the store, and much more.
Beyond this ideal shopping experience, they have some secrets in place for their labeling that might just help you out the next time you’re at TJ’s. Here’s what we learned about Trader Joe’s labels, and our minds are blown.
Trader Joe’s color codes its nuts
Instagram account @traderjoes.and.target.finds shared this sketch from a store that shows how the grocery chain color codes their nut section. Now, this is extremely helpful to me now, as I have definitely bought the raw, unsalted items for my homemade trail mix on multiple occasions, and I could not recommend that any less.
When shopping for snacks, red labels mean the nut pack is roasted and unsalted, perfect for mixing in with pretzels and chocolate chips for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Orange labels are put on raw nut packing, which are ideal for adding to baked goods, salads, savory cooked dishes, and the like.
#SpoonTip: Need some trail mix inspo? We got you covered with these easy recipes.
My personal favorite nut mixes can be found with dark blue labels, which will yield salted and roasted varieties. (Truly, I am excited my nut hunt will be easier.) Finally, light blue labels depict lightly salted and roasted nut varieties for people who prefer less salt or are reducing it in their diet for health reasons.
These labels do not apply to the delicious unique flavors, of course, which include the Everything But The Bagel Nut Duo, the Garlic & Onion Pistachios, and beyond. These specialty varieties all have their own designed labels.
Not all gluten-free products at Trader Joe’s have gluten-free labels
Sara, a gluten-free dietitian, shared a TikTok describing how Trader Joe’s doesn’t always explicitly mark their GF products with signage, including their cauliflower gnocchi and their breakfast hashbrowns.
She notes how all the ingredients in some of these items are not made with any gluten, and therefore, Trader Joe’s does not pay for the testing to add the gluten-free label. If you’re worried about cross-contamination, TJ’s also have strict manufacturing rules in place.
If you have any other Trader Joe’s labeling secrets, make sure to share it with us on socials at @spoonuniversity on Instagram!