It’s no secret that Trader Joe’s has a cult following due to its effective low prices, subtle, hip atmosphere, great private label products, and satisfying customer experience. Since Trader Joe’s doesn’t sell any of their products online, it can be hard to figure out if the company sells the item that you’re looking for without a trip to the store.
Trader Joe’s sells cream of tartar, used for stabilizing egg whites, making meringue, fluffy whipped cream, and even adding zest to a batch of snickerdoodle cookies. It can be found in a spice or baking aisle at your local store. Since cream of tartar is different from baking soda, check the label to make sure that you are getting cream of tartar, which is also called sodium bitartrate.
Learn more about cream of tartar availability, its purpose, where to locate it, and substitutes for cream of tartar at Trader Joe’s.
Overview of Trader Joe’s
Since 1958, Trader Joe’s has gathered a loyal following due to its low prices, eclectic and unique food products that range from cookie butter to cheeses, salsas, prepackaged sandwiches, produce, and items to fulfill your baking needs such as spices and cream of tartar.
The brand has worked hard to provide excellent customer service and a quirky, slightly hippie culture where you don’t have to clip coupons or sign up for a membership to get great deals.
From chocolate truffles to Indian entrées and cream of tartar, Trader Joe’s has thousands of items available for your daily needs.
Availability of Cream of Tartar at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s sells cream of tartar at most of its store locations. Check for cream of tartar in the spice or baking ingredient aisle.
In most cases, you’ll find it next to other baking staples like cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, or yeast products such as active dry yeast. In some stores, you might find it closer to the egg aisle, but it’s normal for it to be stocked together with baking ingredients.
If you don’t see cream of tartar on the shelf, check for another ingredient called potassium bitartrate. It’s cream of tartar in an anhydrous or crystalized form and has a milder flavor than cream of tartar.
You can also read labels to find ingredients such as mono-calcium phosphate, Monophysism phosphate, and monosodium phosphate to get the same result as cream of tartar. Some products like calcium acid phosphate may already include cream of tartar, so be sure to check the ingredients list for similar products.
Does Trader Joes Sell Cream of Tartar?
Yes, Trader Joe’s sells cream of tartar in bottles that measure around 4 ounces or 118 grams. These jars range from $3-5 in price. Trader Joe’s also sells a 1-pound bag of cream of tartar for around $4-6.
While it’s an ingredient found in most Trader Joe’s locations, it’s also a product that’s in low demand, due to its specific recipe qualities, so it also tends to be in low stock at Trader Joe’s.
Search for Cream of Tartar at Trader Joe’s
You can search for cream of tartar online on Trader Joe’s website. Keep in mind that this doesn’t indicate current stock levels, just that Trade Joe’s carries the product.
The best way to search for cream of tartar at Trader Joe’s is to head to the store’s spice and baking aisle. Look for the cream of tartar label.
This product should be found in a glass container or metal spice tin. This is not to be confused with Trader Joe’s tartare sauce, which is an herbed sauce that is used for dipping fried seafood.
Findings on Availability of Cream of Tartar
Most grocery stores and supermarkets, including eclectic places like Trader Joe’s, carry cream of tartar. It’s also found in the spice or baking supplies aisle in most regular grocery stores or at bakeries that tend to buy cream of tartar in bulk.
While Trader Joe’s does stock cream of tartar, it’s one of those items that may be low in stock.
Alternative Options for Buying Cream of Tartar
Many recipes call for cream of tartar to leaven or whip certain ingredients into shape. If your favorite local Trader Joe’s cream of tartar is out of stock, you can generally locate this item at many other grocery stores, supermarkets, and big-box stores.
Check online at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or your local grocery store for availability to save yourself a trip to the store. You can also check out Aldi, which has cream of tartar among many other spices for less than $2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Purpose of Cream of Tartar?
Cream of tartar is a kind of baking powder that is used to leaven baked goods and create stiff peaks in a meringue or frosting. and stabilize the bubbles in egg whites to create volume that defies gravity.
Unlike other baking powders or sodas, cream of tartar is a winemaking byproduct. It appears when tartaric acid in a wine cask reacts to a carbonate or potassium hydroxide solution. It crystallizes into cream of tartar powder which is then refined and packaged for baking purposes.
Chemically, cream of tartar is an acid salt that reacts with other acids in a recipe. This causes the compounds surrounding cream of tartar, such as egg whites, to turn into stiff mounds without collapsing. If the recipe doesn’t have any acids, you’ll need to use more cream of tartar than usual since it doesn’t react to any other kinds of ingredients.
What Can I Use Instead of Cream of Tartar?
If you need cream of tartar fast and can’t find it in stores, there are a couple of things you can use as a substitute.
Cream of tartar is chemically different than citric acid or baking soda, so they’re not a good substitute. While they look similar, these compounds are made from very different ingredients that can change your recipe’s flavor.
Try adding a dash of lemon juice or white vinegar since both have a milder taste that won’t overwhelm your recipe. Lemon juice is likely the best option since it has the same acidity as cream of tartar and helps whipped eggs create stiff peaks for meringue and other types of desserts.
While you can use lemon juice or white vinegar as a cream of tartar substitute in a pinch, it’s best to always use cream of tartar to avoid compromising leavening qualities in recipes that call for yeast, such as pizza dough and bread.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s offers many basic and unique items to cover most baking needs. You can find cream of tartar in the store’s baking aisle. Look for the label or check for the alternative name of sodium bitartrate. While you can shop and add items to your list from Trader Joe’s website online, you’ll need to head to the store to buy the item.
On the off chance that cream of Tartar is out of stock at nearby Trader Joe’s locations, you can check out other online and brick-and-mortar retailers such as Target, Walmart, or even Whole Foods to get started whipping up a batch of delicious dessert right in your kitchen.
