Trader Joe’s lemon ricotta is a delicious fresh cheese that has gained popularity in recent years. Made with real lemon juice and lemon zest, this ricotta has a bright, citrusy flavor that makes it perfect for both sweet and savory applications. Fans of this cheese look forward to it making an appearance on Trader Joe’s shelves each year, but some have noticed that it seems to come and go. This leads to the question: is Trader Joe’s lemon ricotta actually a seasonal item?
Background on Trader Joe’s Seasonal Products
Trader Joe’s is known for offering a wide variety of seasonal products that are only available for a limited time each year. Some popular seasonal items at Trader Joe’s include pumpkin products in the fall, eggnog and peppermint treats in the winter, and fresh berries in the spring and summer. Trader Joe’s leverages seasonality to keep their product selection fresh and exciting for customers. It creates anticipation and excitement when seasonal favorite products make their yearly return.
So how does Trader Joe’s define what makes a product “seasonal”? According to the Trader Joe’s website, seasonal products are “available for a limited time each year because they feature ingredients that lend themselves particularly well to certain times of the year.” For produce items, seasonality is determined by peak harvest times for fruits and vegetables. For other products, seasonality may be connected to key holidays or seasonal flavor profiles.
Trader Joe’s doesn’t provide an exact seasonal calendar for when products will be available. The timing of seasonal items is based on many factors, including harvest times, production schedules, and even unpredictable elements like weather. This means seasonal product availability can vary slightly from year to year.
Evidence of Lemon Ricotta’s Seasonality
While Trader Joe’s does not classify their lemon ricotta as an explicitly seasonal item, there are several clues that point to its seasonality:
Limited Availability
The main sign that Trader Joe’s lemon ricotta is seasonal is that it seems to disappear from stores for large parts of the year. While it can be found in the refrigerated cheese section during spring and summer months, it is nearly impossible to find in Trader Joe’s locations in the fall and winter. The limited availability window indicates production is likely tied to a specific time frame each year.
Ingredient Availability
Lemon ricotta is made using fresh lemons and lemon juice. Lemons are at their peak season in the spring and summer when the weather is warmer. This seasonal citrus availability likely impacts the production schedule for lemon ricotta. Manufacturing large quantities of lemon ricotta would be most cost effective when lemons are readily available and inexpensive.
Spring/Summer Affinity
The bright, fresh lemon flavor of this ricotta makes it best suited to warmer weather months. Its applications also align with spring and summer favorites like seafood, salads, vegetarian dishes and fresh fruit desserts. Trader Joe’s produces it when demand is highest and the cheese pairs well with other peak seasonal ingredients.
| Month | Lemon Ricotta Availability |
|---|---|
| January | Unavailable |
| February | Unavailable |
| March | Becoming available |
| April-June | Widely available |
| July | Limited availability |
| August-December | Unavailable |
Why Trader Joe’s Doesn’t Label it Seasonal
While signs point to lemon ricotta being a seasonal product, Trader Joe’s does not officially classify it this way. There are a few potential reasons why:
Varying Availability
The exact months that lemon ricotta can be found in stores tends to vary slightly each year. While generally a spring/summer item, seasonal factors like lemon harvest yields can shift its production window. Trader Joe’s likely leaves flexibility in its classification to account for this variability.
Avoiding Disappointment
For truly seasonal products like pumpkin bread or peppermint joe joes, Trader Joe’s wants to be clear about limited availability to avoid customer disappointment. For a product like lemon ricotta with a less defined season, the seasonality may be considered implied.
Year-Round Demand
Even during its off-season, lemon ricotta likely still sees high customer demand. Trader Joe’s may avoid formally classifying it as seasonal so customers continue looking for it year-round. The product’s cult following means customers want access whenever possible.
How to Get Lemon Ricotta When It’s Not in Season
So what should a lemon ricotta fan do during the long off months when their favorite cheese is nowhere to be found? Here are a few ideas to get your fix:
Make Your Own
The ingredients are simple – lemons, lemon juice, ricotta, salt. Make a batch at home by combining 1 cup or ricotta with the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Add salt to taste. Though not exact, this can provide that lemon ricotta flavor until it returns to stores.
Freeze It
When lemon ricotta is in season, pick up a few extra containers. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to enjoy later in the year. The texture may be a bit different after freezing but the flavor will be similar.
Substitute Mascarpone
Mascarpone and ricotta can often be used interchangeably in recipes. During lemon ricotta’s offseason, try swapping in mascarpone and adding extra lemon zest and juice to achieve a similar tangy, citrus creaminess.
Find Alternatives
A few other lemon-flavored ricotta options sometimes available include:
– Belgioioso Lemon Ricotta
– Calabro Lemon Ricotta
– Fresh Direct Lemon Ricotta
Check cheese aisles or search for delivery options to locate one of these possible replacements. Just note that the Trader Joe’s version is often considered the superior lemon ricotta.
The Bottom Line
While not labeled as a seasonal item, Trader Joe’s lemon ricotta appears to be available for limited periods based on clues like ingredient availability and consumer demand. Fans of this bright, summery cheese should plan to stock up while supply lasts through early summer and be prepared for the long stretch without it from fall through early spring. Though its return is never guaranteed, those hoping to see lemon ricotta back on shelves can watch for it in late winter and early spring. With some workarounds like making your own or substituting similar products, it’s possible to still infuse recipes with a hint of lemon ricotta flavor all year long.