What a Canadian gets at Trader Joe’s after traveling hours to shop there

A few years ago, I asked a Trader Joe’s cashier for their opinion on Bamba because I’d never tried it. A debate ensued between him and a neighboring cashier over whether the hazelnut-crème-filled or regular Bamba was better.

The cashier paused the line and opened both bags for an on-the-spot taste test. (Hot tip: If you want to try something at Trader Joe’s, just ask an employee.)

I preferred the Bamba with hazelnut crème and have been buying it ever since.

I can get typical dips like hummus in Canada, but I’ve yet to find a great selection of unique ones. Fortunately, Trader Joe’s has plenty.

I love using Trader Joe’s dips as a filling for wraps to make a quick and easy meal.

One of my favorites is Trader Joe’s Buffalo-chicken dip, which has just the right amount of kick. If I could, I’d eat it every week as a dip with chips or in a tortilla wrap with cauliflower.

I’ve never been a big popcorn fan, but I was easily sold on this sweet rendition of the popular snack because I love caramel and peanut butter.

The popcorn is very sweet, so this is more of a little treat than an eat-the-whole-bag-in-one-sitting snack. I especially love the crispy shells on the popcorn that taste like toffee.

The black sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds give the cheesy cracker extra crunch and a rich flavor. I didn’t like the spicy kick from the whole peppercorns at first but it’s since grown on me.

They can be used as a cheesy topper on salads or cacio e pepe, but I especially like to dip them in Trader Joe’s sour-cream spinach dip.

Peanut butter and jam is one of my favorite combinations, and I like that these Snack Duos nostalgically remind me of snacking on Dunkaroos in the ’90s.

The peanut butter-filled wafer sticks are so light and crunchy — they pair perfectly with the sweet jam dip. The snack container is so convenient I often pack a couple in my suitcase for a comforting snack while traveling.

What really sets Trader Joe’s apart is its selection of seasoning blends. In Canada, I often have to buy spices individually and create my own blends, so I love that this chain has them already prepared.

My obsession started with the Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend but has since grown to include its Green Goddess and multipurpose umami ones.

My current fixation, though, is the ranch seasoning. I sprinkle it on chicken nuggets and pair it with Trader Joe’s buttermilk ranch dressing to amp up the ranch flavor of my salads.

Growing up with the nickname Anna Banana, I’ve always been obsessed with bananas and seek out banana treats whenever I travel.

One of my favorite food discoveries while traveling in the US is Trader Joe’s dark-chocolate-covered banana slices. They’ve since become a staple in my freezer for a quick sweet treat any time of year.

I’ve tried pretty much every Trader Joe’s banana product at this point. This protein smoothie with almond butter remains one of my favorites for its thick, smooth texture and natural banana flavor.

I like to take it on the go with me, or add it to my cereal at home.

Trader Joe’s is beloved for its frozen foods, but I feel like its mushroom mix has flown under the radar for too long.

I never want to buy and prepare more than one type of mushroom, so I love that this medley contains several different kinds.

I simply sauté the mushrooms with oil to create a side dish. I’m still always surprised by just how much flavor and umami the mushrooms have.

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