This Seasoning Change Has Trader Joe’s Customers Up In Arms

Trader Joe’s seasoning is fun. Anyone who’s taken a cursory glance at its selection can attest to this. And it’s fun without dipping into “what the actual hell” territory, which is always a risk with novelty seasoning blends. Generally speaking, it strikes the balance between offering something new without trying to get you to make your food taste like something ZANY, and options like its chile lime, Everything But The Bagel, and others that we can’t live without keep people coming back for more. More flavor. More sprinkling. More of the good stuff. 

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A recent move from TJ’s, though, has some of its customers feeling a little disappointed when they should be jumping for joy. What’s going on? We’re here to spill. 

Trader Joe’s Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend: A Return With (Or Without) A Twist

Trader Joe’s has just brought back its Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend, a former fan-favorite that the store, for reasons unbeknownst to us, discontinued just when lemon pepper was reaching new heights of popularity on menus everywhere. Trader Joe’s stopped selling its lemon pepper blend back in 2022, but now, four years later, it makes a glorious comeback. 

Well, glorious except for one thing. The 2022 version of this seasoning blend came with a grinder and whole spices – and this one doesn’t. Instead, the blend is preground, and you shake it out. 

And That’s A Problem? Why? 

Well, some customers have already said that they loved the fact that Trader Joe’s original lemon pepper seasoning blend came with a grinder – and grinding spices fresh gives them way more of a vibrant flavor, as the essential oils inside them are released and consumed straight away. Preground spice blends are still good, but a lot of the time, they just don’t have the same punch. 

Having said this, most people would rather have the option of a lemon pepper seasoning blend than not, even if it’s different. Plus, it only costs $2.49, and the blend contains actual lemon peel, which one customer pointed out is pretty rare when it comes to store-bought lemon pepper seasonings. Some other blends also have sugar in them, which takes the flavor in a totally different direction (and gives you less customization). So, while TJ’s offering may not be ideal for some people, you can probably do a lot worse. Shake it into your chicken salad, inhale that zesty aroma, and make the most of the last few days of summer.