Trader Joe’s debuts weird and wonderful YouTube channel
If you are a Trader Joe’s fan, and who isn’t, then you’re going to love the chain’s new YouTube channel.
The California-based grocer, which recently took top honors in Consumer Report’s annual supermarket survey, quietly launched the new channel two weeks ago. It features a collection of quirky videos that are filled with insider tips and tricks, animated animals and behind-the-scenes looks at the manufacturing process for Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones and Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. Of course, there are recipes. Find the channel by searching for Trader Joe’s on Youtube.com.
The weird and wonderful channel playfully features minute-long looks at popular products like Broccoli & Kale Slaw Salad Kit, Mandarin Orange Chicken and Tikka Masala Burritos. Cooking videos hosted by the Fearless Flyer, a green, Muppetlike character, on how to make Zhoug Marinated Chicken Thighs & Crunchy Fennel Slaw and making a “Fearless” charcuterie board and a segment on how to make vegan, gluten-free falafel waffles (say that 10 times fast). Delicious.
In the stop-action animated “Black Licorice Treads,” tiny red lobsters descend on a town to chow down on a road made of the tasty black threads. “Lobsters like black licorice. Who knew? Humans do, too — which is why we hit the road (metaphorically speaking) to New Zealand where a familyowned confectionery produces soft & pleasantly pliable black licorice that’s authentically flavored with licorice root extract (not just anise oil) and made with no added coloring… Why the long, wide Treads? Guess we grew tire-d of twists,” says the description. Weird.
In a cooking video originally featured on Trader Joe’s Instagram, the Fearless Flyer visits with a Bon Appétit magazine grill master to cook up chicken thighs marinated with TJ’s Zhoug Sauce, a spicy condiment from Yemen. The recipe is perfect for summer cookouts. Wonderful.
Shorts on Triple Ginger Snaps, TJ’s most popular product, and Two Buck Chuck, can’t be far behind.