Trader Joe’s Traditional Thai Lime and Chili Peanuts: where are they now? Not in stock!
Everyone’s favorite snack nut has gone missing. I’ve been enamored of these nuts well before Trader Joe’s came to New York. I even bookmarked this Times article describing their production and conception for a little light bedtime reading. A few weeks ago I tried to replenish my chili-lime peanut stock, and not only were there none in the store, their little shelf tag was gone, too. So I asked one of the floral-shirted crew members about it, and she said that they had been discontinued because of lack of availability. That’s all she knew, and I left the store a little confused. Is there a peanut shortage? A problem getting lime leaves? I went to Trader Joe’s colorful but uninformative website and filled out a contact form. Here’s what I wrote:
I went to TJ’s in Manhattan last week and was told that the thai chili lime peanuts were discontinued because of ingredient availability. What does that mean, exactly? Are the nuts in short supply? Is there a problem with the importation of spices? I’m curious because I think most food brands would look to a substitute product to keep the masses snacking. Is that what the chili lime cashews are about? (They’re not as good – the powdery coating doesn’t have as much chili or lemongrass flavor, and the cashews are too buttery and mild to hold up even the lower level of spice.) I appreciate TJ’s innovative products, and these chili lime peanuts were my favorite. Most of all I need to know, are they ever coming back?
I’m going to give them a week to get back to me before I start hunting down TJ executives’ phone numbers and turn wistful longing into investigative reporting. In the meantime, I’m working on a recipe for homemade lime and chili peanuts.
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