Trader Joe's cauliflower rice has become so popular that the organic and specialty foods chain has started rationing the product at some stores.
With more Americans looking for healthier options in their everyday diet, Trader Joe's locations in Millburn, New Jersey; Fairfield, Connecticut, and a few others have instituted a two-bag limit per customer, noted Food & Wine magazine.
"Each day, hordes of people clamor to get their hands on the grated veggie — and even the nicest-looking people, it seems, will do whatever it takes to claim their rightful bag," stated Food & Wine writer Rebekah Lowin. "Pushing, shoving, passive-aggressive looks … the cauliflower rice section has seen it all.
"And for good reason, too: It's a delicious rice substitute that tastes and looks similar to the real thing, but is made up of cauliflower and cauliflower alone. Pretty great, right?" Lowin continued.
Wellness news outlet Well and Good wrote that the company hasn't issued a national edict on limited cauliflower rice. While the New Jersey ban appeared to be adhered to, a representative at the Fairfield Trader's Joe's said the ban is there but they are "not actively enforcing it."
"How did cauliflower go from being broccoli's weird cousin that you see once a year at family reunions to the shining star of the wellness world?" stated Tamin Alnuweiri, of Well and Good. "There's now cauliflower pizza crust, cauli-infused smoothies and of course, that gluten-free game-changer, cauliflower rice – which just might be too popular."
Some on social media argued that Trader Joe's customers could put a little effort into it and make their own if the cauliflower rice is not available.