I Live Abroad and This Is What I Stock Up on From Trader Joe's

Living abroad has plenty of perks but oftentimes it's the little things, like grocery shopping at my favorite store—Trader Joe's—that I miss. I remember grocery shopping with my parents when I was a kid when the aisles were narrower, stores were smaller, and you could ask them to cut a wedge of cheese from a whole wheel. So it's natural that as an adult, it's one of my favorite grocery store chains. I've always loved the variety and unique offerings as well as the new products that grace the shelves.

When I come home to California to visit family and friends, I make a Trader Joe’s pit stop to buy groceries and see what new products catch my attention. And then before I leave, I always make a stop and fill up a basket full of goodies to bring back with me to Spain. Here are the five Trader Joe’s items I always have to take back with me. 

Cinna-Dragons Gummy Candy

I grew up eating cinnamon-flavored gummy-style bears and have fond memories of sharing these with my mom. But over the years, finding Sweet’s Cinnamon Bears in the candy aisle at the supermarket or drugstore has gotten harder, and in Spain it became impossible. You can imagine how excited I was to discover Cinna-Dragons, Trader Joe's version of Cinnamon Bears. Typically, I share all my goodies with my partner but luckily for me, he dislikes cinnamon-flavored candy so I don't have to worry about these Cinna-Dragons disappearing even faster between U.S. Trader Joe’s runs.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

I'll admit that as a kid I wasn't a big fan of peanut butter, but as an adult it's different—the combination of dark chocolate and creamy peanut butter is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, it's not a typical candy in Spain, so I always stock up on several plastic tubs. Knowing that these candies are precious and hard to get means I ration my stash so they last several months. (And yes–unfortunately for me–my partner likes these as much as I do.)

Dried Fruit Chile Spiced Mango

Dried fruit is not only delicious, it’s a wonderful quick snack, great to take on a hike, and a smart way to enjoy fruit that’s out of season or unavailable. I particularly love the flavor and texture of dried mango, and  Trader Joe’s takes it up a notch with a chile kick. Although I can often find dried mango in Spain, spicy is not part of the gastronomy here so finding chile—covered dried mango is like finding a needle in a haystack. Which is why I always bring back a supply of these spicy-sweet bites.

Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend

Everything-seasoned bagels toasted with plain cream cheese have been my go-to bagel shop choice since I was a kid. So it's no surprise that I love this seasoning blend; I always pick up a jar to have in my spice collection. In Spain, I like to sprinkle this on country-style potatoes or a fried egg. I'll also dash it onto a green salad with plenty of veggies or into sauces or yogurt-based dips for extra flavor.

Original Savory Thin Crackers

These versatile crackers are made with rice flour, giving them a different texture than your average cracker. I like to pair them with different types of cheese–sometimes a creamy Brie, goat cheese, or sliced cheddar. Occasionally, I'll eat them plain, right out of the slender, open-top box. When I'm in the mood for a quick, protein-focused lunch, I grab a can of tuna, mix it with a little mayonnaise and some thinly sliced green onions, and then spread it onto these crackers for a simple and delicious meal.