THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT'S NEW AT TRADER JOE'S

This week there were a lot of fun and exciting products to try. One thing we tried in particular was super surprising because we didn't know how it was going to taste, but it was well worth the wait.
Instagram: / katiehespe
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Website: KatieHespe.com
Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored by Trader Joe's and is not conducted on behalf of the company.

[@jennifery3553]

Katie, with the ddukboki you can add in veggies like cabbage, carrots, a boiled egg and even ramen noodles. It will also help with the spice. The sauce is usually made of guchujang, soy sauce, sugar which is why Tim thought it was a little sweet. It's one of my favorite foods so I'm curious about the TJ version. Thanks for the video!

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you for the helpful tips!

[@ahhitskatie9094]

I’ve never seen it spelled like that before - very interesting!! Will have to add veggies in to my next batch 😍

[@QuynhNguyen-gp3te]

Katie, You can also add cheese to the tteok to help with the spice! Personally I don’t care for it unless adding cheese and ramen.. but Tim is right, even though it’s spicy but you just can’t stop 😝

[@jennifery3553]

@@ahhitskatie9094 I'm Korean and that's how it's pronounced. Just kind of spell it the way it sounds to me. You can also add fishcakes which you can buy from the Korean store.

[@jennifery3553]

@@QuynhNguyen-gp3te Koreans seem to add mozzarella cheese to everything these days. I find the dish to be heavy and adding the cheese makes it greasier and even heavier. But many Koreans love the cheese on top.

[@lynnduke8700]

Those cookies would be great crumbled on ice cream-especially chocolate ice cream, but strawberry ice cream would give off peanut butter and jelly vibes 👍🏼 the crispy ones hold up better on ice cream because they don’t get too soggy

[@daveinca2]

You are 100% right about cork. Cork taint ruins a percentage of wine bottles in every bottling, so there is nothing wrong with a screw cap. There are high end wineries in Napa Valley using screw caps on their wine.

[@martymcgrady5535]

It also is not a sustainable substance.

[@Amanda-fl5hx]

If you store the cookies with one slice of bread in the container it will soften the cookies up.

[@saracarr3962]

Benson was extra, super heart warming today. Love that you do these taste tests and not just the hauls. Also love that you do the alcohol reviews.

[@bobbiadams-lloyd1888]

Try the Inner Peas on a salad instead of using croutons. Yum!

[@ginakraushaar7858]

Hey Katie, Tim, and Benson! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 💚🍻🍀 The look on Tim’s face when he thought he’d be sampling pickles….too funny! Trader Joe’s has so many wonderful products, that you’ve brought to us, I’m so appreciative! We’re blessed to have you, Katie! Tim and Benson, as well! ☺️🌸

[@heidikolberg3814]

With my lactose intolerance, I’m definitely going to look for the oat milk chocolate bars and the nondairy boba tea ice cream when I go to Trader Joe’s next week. Great job on another fantastic taste test! I enjoy watching your Trader Joe’s videos.😊

[@roxannebudd1978]

Have you tried the chocolate coconut ice cream. It’s so good!

[@wearelegion1163]

Trader Joe's now has lactose free milk & lactose free chocolate milk. Both are really good & lasts much longer than regular milk or chocolate milk

[@stephaniesosna8213]

I've made tteokbokki from a kit purchased at a korean market, I was afraid of the spice so I substituted coconut milk for the water in the recipe. The coconut milk helped tone down the spice.

[@KatieHespe]

That’s such a great idea!

[@cherylr7863]

We love Trader Joe’s and love your videos . Thank you sharing them . Hi Bendson !

[@brendagregoryyuen4923]

Cute! My daughter (a high school senior) LOVES her Boba tea...so that would be a hit for her. I love Benson's honest reactions to the food he tries - he doesn't hold back. Thanks Hespe family (I'm currently baking banana bread in the oven as I write this). Enjoy your weekend too.

[@CrystalChris721]

Your son is so patient with you and your husband while yall are talking. He adorable🤗❤ by the way, I have purchased so many items from Trader Joes from watching your videos Thank you so much!🤗

[@JulyMoon82]

I stopped into my local Trader Joe's Saturday and FINALLY got a bottle of that vegan dill dressing you're always raving about. It is so good! I get why you like it so much. It has such a wonderful fresh, herby, citrusy flavor. I put a bit on my sandwich with some spring mix lettuce and parsley, and that dressing took my sandwich to the next level. I also picked up a bottle of that cold pressed pineapple juice to share with my daughter, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. We're pineapple lovers, so it was great to get a fresh testing pineapple juice. Cassoulet is a wonderful French stew made with white beans and pork. However, I'm sure you could make a vegan version for yourself to pair with that wine. I've made cassoulet using smoked turkey instead of pork, and it came out delicious. If you can find a smoky vegan meat replacement, I would recommend using that so you can get that smokey flavor in your white bean stew.

[@Commonsensical73]

Hello Hespe family! Spicy rice cakes are one of many comfort foods of Korea!! To lessen the spicy kick, mozzarella cheese is liberally sprinkled on top!!Delicious! Thanks for your videos!!! God bless you!

[@Pumpkintiti]

To me it's amazing how you and your husband have literally two different tastes when trying out the same foods mind-blowing haha

[@KatieHespe]

Right?! It’s crazy how differing everyone’s taste buds can be. I think it also has a lot to do with how your raised and the types of foods you were exposed to as a kid.

[@Pumpkintiti]

@@KatieHespe I concur

[@tmarie69]

Benson was like, “This thing was hard and crunchy. Now let’s get to the chocolate!” 😂😂

[@margaret6527]

I'm looking forward to trying the Korean street food dish. I love what you said about TJ's bringing all of these unique foods from different cultures. My favorite thing about TJ's is that they always put quality first. Even when I have tried things that I did not care for the taste of I could always say that the quality was definitely top notch.

[@KatieHespe]

Yes, I agree 💯

[@essentialcassie]

Tteokbokki is Devine! I suggest ordering from an authentic Korean restaurant in your area and asking to try it with limited spice. It is addictive. Also, peanut butter cookies???! Dang, Trader Joe’s it’s about time! 🤣🤣🤣

[@KatieHespe]

I will have to try it at a restaurant. Great suggestion, thanks!

[@Sharleen91]

@@KatieHespe Just a heads up, some Tteokbokki recipes use fish sauce and typically add fish cakes so just make sure to double check with the restaurant if they use those ingredients for a veggie safe dish!

[@bonnielemmon8493]

I think I’m going to have to build a wine cellar, TJ’s keeps coming out with great wines. Benson is such a little gentleman. He will remember your taste tests forever. Hope you and your family have a Happy St Patrick’s day. 🍀🍀

[@Mrs_Turner2013]

Hmm maybe that’s why we didn’t like the rice cakes. I cooked them In the air fryer. I’ll have to try them on the stove stop next time, thanks ☺️

[@saracarr3962]

Hey! I watch both of your channels! Lol I saw that.

[@lose999]

I love the Inner Peas. They're a staple for me. Tim's generous pour made me smile. 🍷 Cassoulet is a French white bean casserole.

[@raycolp64]

Great review. I love that you both show opinions and sometimes they differ. Also love that the cute kiddo gives his opinion which helps to know if kids will love it. Very helpful!

[@Mari13G]

You guys are way too cute! I feel like it’s time for another Hespe family vlog!! 💜

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

I was very excited last night watching the haul to see tteokbokki! I watch a lot of Korean and Japanese KZbin creators and tteokbokki is probably one of the most commonly seen foods. I have purchased it a few times from Asian markets. Generally what I see is adding fish cakes and boiled eggs into tteokbokki, and then sometimes adding noodles as well. I think it's nearly a law, though, that you have to add chopped green onions. Try that, I find myself adding chopped green onions to so many more things now. I feel like you could add anything really, like vegetables, mushrooms, shrimp, etc. Kinda turning it into a jigae (stew) or hotpot. I can't wait to try the Trader Joe's version. I bought a pack of tteokbokki bowls from Costco a few months ago and the sauce in those is pretty good, too.

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

Okay, so I am commenting as I am watching and I can't believe Tim said it was like chef boyardee, lol.😀😀😀 I don't think there's any tomato products in the traditional version, but I love tomatoes so that wouldn't be bad if TJs put some in. I believe the sauce gets its color from gochujang and gochugaru, a type of Korean seasoning paste and Korean chili flakes (which is also in gochujang). Typically it also has sweeteners, which may be what reminds Tim of Chef boyardee, which is too sweet, so I hope TJs didn't go overboard on the sugar in their tteokbokk. 😀😀😀

[@KatieHespe]

Haha leave it to Tim to say that. I didn’t think that at all. It tasted really good and spicy to me.

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

I have never had it, but cassoulet is a French casserole that is made with very specific white beans like tarbais, sometimes even called cassoulet beans, and a variety of meat such as duck, duck confit, sausage, etc. I know it's heresy but I am not someone who wants to eat duck or duck confit, but I really want to eat cassoulet beans, so I have had them in my online shopping cart from Rancho Gordo for months, lol. I keep thinking there might be a way to make it with just pork sausage where it would still taste good. 😀 Anyway, cassoulet is pretty rich dish, I think, so that might be why it's suggested as a good pairing for the wine.

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

Oh my gosh, I LOVE banana laffy taffy! How funny. Now I have to buy this and I never would have otherwise, lol, because, just like my friend Katie, I don't like crunchy hard cookies. 😀😀😀

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

Brown sugar boba ice cream bars were the hottest thing, it seemed like, at Asian grocery stores last summer, so I love that Trader Joe's has come out with their own version. Great to hear that you like it a lot, too. I also love that Trader Joe's brings so many international flavors to a neighborhood grocery store , giving us all more opportunities to taste cuisines that are otherwise harder to obtain.

[@aram4516]

OO Please share your mom's peanut butter cookie recipe!! I'm always looking for a good recipe!

[@karenh5798]

Same here! I lost my mom’s recipe which I loved.

[@FL-ez3dk]

You should melt mozzarella cheese on the tteokbokki. That is how many people eat it. It’s fantastic!

[@cassandraqcassandraq5510]

Inner Peas a great chip alernative or way to get veggies into kids who reject greens.

[@connie6410]

I've been buying those Inner Peas for years - they make great croutons in salads, I think. Definitely hoping I can get a bottle of the Ratified and Repealed wine, it sounds like my kind of wine!! This was a really fun taste test, thanks Hespe family. Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️💚

[@deannamarion]

Try the tteokbokki with mozzarella melted on top! Has to be the traditional way tho - yummmmm

[@jmweston3992]

The editing on this video was FAN-stinkin- TASTIC 💜 Love your shirts and Happy St.Patty's day to you all 🎉

[@rebeccar4312]

Biscotti are intentionally made to be hard and dry as they are intended to be eaten dunked in a hot drink, not as is. They would fall apart otherwise, so enjoy them dunked in your coffee-an entirely different experience. As for a cassoulet, it is a French stew made with meat and beans. Thanks for sharing your hauls, etc.

[@bloomwithjessika4960]

🥳 looking forward to try the Oat milk chocolate bar 🍫 and black tea & boba 🧋 ice cream !

[@theresaduffy8222]

I have an idea: what about a video on great nonperishable meal ideas from TJ’s (like the grapefruit cups ❤️❤️❤️ and granola bars). I’m a server and I like snacking throughout the shift, but sadly, I’m allergic to peanuts, nuts, sesame and coconuts.

[@bastosaswang7398]

Bensons double thumbs up! So cute! Gotta try the oat chocolate now.

[@mariamayub212]

That was a really fun taste test, I'm a big fan of the Boba Tea. He used to get it all the time when I worked in downtown Seattle and we'll go over to the International District and they had almost every flavor! I will definitely have to check that one out, big hugs!

[@deborahlewis656]

Awesome shirts once again( esp Tim's); fun taste test once again...nothing new for me and my tastes, but y'all are my favorite you tube family👍🥰🥰🥰

[@suzann6367]

For the rice cakes u should try adding a couple of American cheese slices or mozzarella cheese in the sauce, you might like it more, it would help with the heat

[@aseelsami3707]

Katie, I enjoy watching your videos. It's part of my eveing routine on Friday. I appreciate all the efforts you put into them. I love Tim t-shirts, if you don't mind sharing where he got it. I love the placements too. Xoxo 🙂

[@angie206]

Ok so after watching the taste test video I want to try the oat bars.

[@nancyfeeser4653]

Can’t wait to try black tea ice cream. I do not like coffee at all. Finally something for tea drinkers.

[@allisonshimonski9399]

The chocolate and ice cream have me intrigued!! 🤩 before you even said it I was totally thinking Benson has such a sophisticated palate for his age I think it’s amazing how much of a little critic he is with his thumbs up down and in between 🥰 happy Saint Patrick’s Day ☘️

[@muj4475]

If you ever get to go to Din Tai Fung, try the rice cakes there! You would also LOVE the garlic green beans. Amazing.

[@enassabulhab4335]

Your son is so lovely and polite

[@1101naomi]

The Mochi cake sauce is lacking zing. I can’t handle too much spice or I wouldve added kimchi to it. Instead, I used a bit of banana pepper juice. That’s all it needed. I also added broccolini and zucchini batons to it. Nommy

[@jenniferwellman5311]

Glad, I heard what you said about the first item, I can’t have spicy foods. I can’t wait to see what you say about everything else. I would probably take the peanut butter cookies and dip them, or have them with tea.

[@Cheskat32]

I don’t know if you tried the crispy Thai chilies and sesame seeds but they are amazing as a salad topper. I got some two weeks ago and ran back out for three more bags.

[@heyitsmecassidy]

I tried the tteobokki today!! Definitely on the sweet side, I personally love spice and I wouldn’t consider these spicy at all! Very mild tingle at most. These are nowhere near the spice level of Korean fire noodles or even hot Cheetos. Loved the texture but the flavor was a bit disappointing for a spicy fan!!

[@KatieHespe]

Wow you must have gotten a mild batch. The ones we tried were 10x spicier than hot Cheetos.

[@marygrott8095]

Oh my goodness, Katie. Right before you sampled the non-dairy dessert, an ad that was 5 minutes and 36 seconds came on!! But considering how much time and effort you put into your videos and how many times Tim has tried foods he doesn't like, I figured it was the least I could do and just let it play. Great video as usual!

[@KatieHespe]

Awe thanks girl!

[@SamElle]

wow I totally forgot that st patricks day was around the corner!!!

[@lindyque]

Thanks Katie & family! ❤️☘️👍🏼

[@florenceyoung1246]

I'm looking forward to trying the tteok bokki rice cakes now since you and Tim gave it good reviews! Benson is so adorable!

[@sarahdecker4088]

Dip the crunchy peanut butter cookies in chocolate hummus. 😋

[@stargazer5073]

Trader Joe's should pay you....I bought 4 bags of Korean Tteok Bok Ki. I bought oat chocolate and boba ice cream. Really appreciate the vegan, gluten-free and dairy free options.

[@mariettabrown4560]

Love this family channel

[@paulkoval8258]

The Banana Bread Biscotti’s are soooooo good!! 😋

[@michelegriffin9093]

Tim, Costco has a featured Dill Pickle and Ranch dressing!

[@debbyd5729]

Just my opinion but I’ve never been super impressed with the approximation of authenticity of Asian foods at Trader Joe’s. Not saying those products can’t be tasty (many are!) but that if you don’t like a particular Asian item at TJ’s, don’t write it off. I’d highly recommend trying it at a restaurant of that cuisine because it could just be TJ’s version that is lacking. An example is that tamarind sauce from last week. It’s one of my favorite chutney’s to eat alongside Indian meals (besides a good mango chutney) but I’m so hesitant to try TJ’s especially after the strong negative reaction last week. **Side note, it’s my experience that Costco has a lot of excellent Asian brands and options! (Edit: misuse of “right” vs “write)

[@sharigiarraputo3914]

I think that Trader Joe’s does so much with peanut butter.

[@barbarashuster9029]

Dip biscotti in that wine!

[@Kristian179]

Katie how would you compare the Black Tea & Boba helado vs the Coffee & Boba helado Trader Joe's sells/still sell?

[@trudes4415]

Thumbs up only if Tim doesn’t eat pickles 😉 it’s not enjoyable to watch someone gag on and complain about food not being good. Love the taste test videos though!

[@deborahlewis656]

I want that wine😉, but our tjs doesn't have wine😪

[@kazthomas2553]

You brought the Irish banger sausages a few weeks back. How were they??? I’m tempted to buy but not sure 🤔

[@ChineseAg]

GM! totes here to see how these tastings go... then off to TJ!

[@ellenlane8636]

Katie I hope TJ knows what they have in You 3 👏🌟👏🤩

[@sarahr7890]

Great taste test. Extra love to your cute black cat.

[@cassandraqcassandraq5510]

First food looks like carrots..what is it made of? Should have a milk or yogurt drink to neutralize spice.

[@KatieHespe]

It’s rice cakes

[@machupikachu8349]

Keep in mind, they are korean rice cakes, not American rice cakes- totally different. 😊the texture of korean rice cakes are soft and chewy, more like mochi but heartier. Hope that helps!

[@bernadettepetersen5373]

Thank you😃. Seagulls wine glasses🍷

[@morningroutine1]

(*not on topic) Just popped in to send you some love and to say I'm still praying for you and it will happen in Gods time.

[@ChineseAg]

Oh Tim! Blasphemy for saying the tteok bokki (pr: duck beau key - closest Korean pals could teach me) sauce tasting like Chef Boyardi 😂 . Sounds like air fryer is best.

[@KatieHespe]

Haha right! I couldn’t believe he said that 😂

[@2ys2bafool]

The wine, is it semi-sweet, sweet or dry?

[@TheIctguy78]

Have you ever thought about doing a blooper reels video? Or do you have one somewhere?

[@kellyphelps2739]

I didn’t really appreciate biscotti until I reached my 50’s. 😊🤷‍♀️

[@Elizabeth-lj1vm]

Katie, where are your beautiful wine glasses from? Thanks!

[@vickyschwartzhoff4395]

Benson is the cutest boy

[@catmama54]

You all look so cute and festive. Love the inner peas and a great form of fiber. I don't so spicy food even though I like it my GI tract doesn't. lol

[@lindab2323]

I was SO disappointed in the peanut butter cookies. I personally love crunchy cookies over soft, but they barely tasted of peanut butter. All sweet, no peanut saltiness at all. Doubt I will even eat them, so very sad.

[@hurigoTV]

enjoyed your video. I am a packaging designer at TJ :)

[@KatieHespe]

Love TJ’s packaging and mention it a lot. Keep up the good work!

[@lynnloehr1566]

Loved your outfits and the video. I am not much of a wine drinker, I like the lighter wines, but when you say it tastes like oak, how do you know what oak tastes like? I was originally from an area where there are tons of oak trees, so i know what they look like, smell like, but have no idea what oak tastes like.

[@KatieHespe]

It tastes like an oak barrel smells.

[@lynnloehr1566]

@@KatieHespe Thank you! Now I get it.

[@sherriw7673]

Looks like someone might be eating some pickles very soon😅😅

[@aram4516]

You can soften crunchy cookies by putting a slice of bread in container and yum!

[@stephvasile9654]

Trader Joe's doesn't use any artificial flavors so the banana biscotti is legit!

[@KatieHespe]

Correct, however they use natural flavoring which are chemicals derived from plants or animals.

[@cantstopsinging]

I bought the Korean rice cakes with sauce and ..all I can say.. is it was horrid.. tasted like rubber.( air fried) Usually I like mochi...spicey sauce wasn't bad . Need to return it tomorrow..hope I am still well tomorrow..

[@KatieHespe]

I hated it airfryed. Have you tried the stove top? It’s still very rubbery (Mochi like texture).

[@cantstopsinging]

@@KatieHespe no, I didn't try stove top. I basically got it for the air fryer.

[@KatieHespe]

Ahh gotcha. Glad you can return it and get something you enjoy instead 😊

[@Sharleen91]

I'm not sure why TJ's recommended an air fry cook version, i've never seen them cooked this way ever!

[@cantstopsinging]

@@Sharleen91 Sometimes it seems the test kitchen was smoking something in develop ment of products every once in a while!

[@jillthistle8236]

Not food related but can you link your clear bowls. I’m always looking for big bowls I can use for salad.

[@KatieHespe]

Yes, of course. Here you go: amzn.to/35Tfthd

[@jillthistle8236]

@@KatieHespe thank you!

[@sharigiarraputo3914]

Return them. Lol