The Grocery Store Chain That Lets You Taste Test Almost Anything

As a kid, going to the grocery store often meant sneaking a grape or two from the produce section or tasting a snap pea. But when it came to cookies and crackers, those weren't touched unless my family was actually buying them. However, not all grocery stores operate under the same rules. Costco is famous for its endless samples in nearly every aisle, while other stores offer demos showing you how to cook or dress up food before you buy. Trader Joe's takes an entirely different approach. While they still have both samples and demos, the grocery chain also uses a "try before you buy" rule.

If an item is shelf-stable — meaning it doesn't need refrigeration or freezing — it can be opened and sampled, but only with the help of a store employee. So no sneaking a bite of Trader Joe's iconic dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Ready-to-eat items are fair game, but you're probably not getting a sample of baking mix or items that need to be cooked (think: frozen meals). And this isn't limited to its best snacks or seasonal items like their pumpkin-flavored items for fall. You can try drinks too — yes, that cranberry wine they have in stock, you can request to sample. However, you're typically allowed only one or two samples per visit, so use them sparingly.

Depending on the state, not all Trader Joe's locations sell alcohol. If you're in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, or Rhode Island, the wine tasting dream is off the table. So while you can sample plenty, there are also some limitations to keep in mind.

According to the Reddit thread "Sampling products not being demo'd – what happened," the original poster was confused after asking Trader Joe's employees for samples and being rejected. Since the pandemic, Trader Joe's sample policy has been inconsistent across states, with some stores more willing to uphold the "try before you buy" rule than others. This may irk some customers, especially after Trader Joe's didn't bring back their sample demos until nearly three years after the COVID outbreak.

So while it seems that the staff's willingness to offer samples may depend on the store's traffic or day's moods, Trader Joe's customer service remains top-notch, especially when it comes to returns and food issues. On a sub-Reddit thread named, "Do you return open items to the store," one Redditor wrote, "I've legit told the cashier that I bought ham last time and it was spoiled and they said 'go grab a fresh pack!' Even though I didn't have the package of the spoiled ham with me. They gave it to me free of charge."

However, it's still worth the effort to ask about samples at Trader Joe's.  So, the next time you find yourself at one of their locations, consider asking an employee to open a snack you've been dying to try — it might just be your new favorite.