Trader Joe's Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers

"I know what you people like." This line was from Green Book, spoken well-to-do gentlemen hosting Don Shirley, a world-class black pianist touring the deep south. That line in context (of serving Don Shirley fried chicken and collard greens) showcases a thinly veiled, patronizing racism. What does this have to do with whether or not the new corn chip snack at Trader Joe's is worth purchasing? 

1) TJ's from a few years ago would have marketed this under the name, "Trader Jose." Which would have elicited the response, "oh that's so cool. So worldly. So exotic." 

2) Except when you label something "Trader Jose" - who has the privilege of establishing that label? Is it an actual dude named Jose? Or is it an anonymous board of presumably *American* people who have limited context of what it means to be "Jose?" Is it not a few steps away from that patronizing remark, "I know what you people like?"

3) Which is why I think you will see less marketing of that nature. I think TJ's is trying to diversify without being insensitive. Way to go Joe. 

4) Diversify meaning adopt tastes, textures, and foods likely amenable to the general public, because too much culture that is too far from what we know doesn't fly off the shelves. Now onto these new corn chip dippers. 

I first had elote at a farmer's market in California. BTW thanks California for ruining all other American farmers market experiences for me. That one was closer to a night market experience - the whole downtown shutdown for streets lined with food stalls, produce vendors, small businesses selling everything (soap, honey, jewelry, leather goods, etc), local artists, and kids doing gymnastics. Plus, the giant fresh grilled Mexican corn-on-a-cob-on-a-stick that you top with elote seasonings to your liking. I am ruined y'all, ruined.

"Try something new that tastes a little different but eat it exactly the same way you eat everything else! Like Tostitos!"

Can we also laugh at the idea of organic junk food? Considering that the premise of buying and eating organic is to support better (some would argue more ethical), more sustainable ways of growing food, isn't it funny that we funnel those efforts into processed snacks that kind of do the opposite? (But whatever. Organic = marketing = $$$$. And I'm not really thinking about sustainable practices when I plop down with some junk food. :P)

1) You know how when you buy those bulk variety packs of 50 bags of chips? We all know Fritos and plain Lays are always picked last. But TJ's? They make a mean corn chip dipper, probably because they're bigger and crunchier with just enough greasiness to be superior, so already they've picked a great base for the elote seasoning.


2) The seasoning is reasonably complex and addictive. The spice doesn't hit you right away but the chipotle and chile seasoning gives a nice smokiness that climaxes in a kick (which occurs faster if you stuff your face continuously).The buttermilk and milk adds a backdrop of buttery creaminess, which mimics the sour cream or mayo or cheese you might drizzle over a traditional elote. I was worried about the sugar (traditional elote can have a bit of sweetness but I don't like sweet mixed with savory flavors) but it's not obvious. I found it a little salty initially but got used to it.

3) It needs acid, like a lime flavor, to balance the savoriness. (Hello! Salt! Fat! Acid! Heat! I suspect this is why people have been enjoying this with certain dips - the dip probably adds the acid that makes the chip taste better. Personally, it's a little excessive to dunk a boldly seasoned chip into another dip but I guess that's how we roll in America.

4) $2.29 per bag. Overall quite tasty. Very dangerous for me.

TL;DR: Trader Joe's Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers. A nice tribute to Mexican street corn, generously seasoned on a beloved TJ corn chip. Snack away y'all. 8 out of 10. Mantou Joe repurchase? For a party, sure.