Trader Joe’s asked customers to rank their top nine products. Here they are | CNN business

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Trader Joe’s asked its customers a simple question: If you lived the rest of your life on a desert island, what nine Trader Joe’s products would you take home with you?

More than 18,000 customers took part in the 14th annual survey, which rated the grocery store’s most popular items in nine different categories.

There were a few caveats this year: Five products that had won many times in the past (think Mandarin Orange Chicken and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups) were eliminated from the running and instead inducted into the Product Hall of Fame.

The first Trader Joe’s opened in Pasadena, California in 1967. Its founder, Joe Coulombe (yes, Joe was a real guy) was a convenience store owner who wanted to start a grocery chain to target a niche market of well-educated, well-travelled consumers. The idea led him to start a cult-favorite food empire.

Here are the products customers have voted as their favorites, in categories from cheese to appetizers.

Chili and lime flavored rolled tortilla chips, flavorful corn chips swept the competition this year and took home the grand prize. Runners-up included Hash Browns, Chicken Soup Dumplings, Everything But the Bagel Sesame Spice Mix, and Chocolate Croissants.

Check out the all-time favorites included in Trader Joe’s Hall of Fame

The chips also won in the poll’s most popular snack category. Customers were also fans of the Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers, Organic Corn Chip Dippers, World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs and Crunchy Curls, all of which were among the top votes.

The Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice was the fan favorite drink, although it’s seasonal. The canned drink is a simple three-ingredient mix of apple juice, water, and soda.

This is followed by the Triple Ginger Brew, Sparkling Peach Black Tea with Peach Juice, Sparkling Cranberry & Ginger Beverage, and the Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer.

Now that Hall of Famer Unexpected Cheddar is no longer an option in the poll, the store’s cheddar cheese with caramelized onions received top honors.

View the full list of Customer Choice Award winners

Runners-up included Syrah Soaked Toscano, Seasonal Baked Lemon Ricotta, Blueberry & Vanilla Chèvre and its variety of sweetbreads.

Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken replaces the long-running Mandarin Orange Chicken — seasoned chicken in a tomato and cream sauce with basmati rice.

Indian is popular with Trader Joe’s clients. Chicken Tikka Masala came in second, followed by Kung Pao Chicken, Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, and BBQ Teriyaki Chicken.

Seasonal candles won in this category. Seasonal scents include peony blossom, cedar balm, crisp apple and vanilla pumpkin.

Runners-up: Daily Facial Sunscreen, Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Cream, Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner, and Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask.

Unsurprisingly, customers have chosen bananas as their top choice. The chain is known for its 25-cent organic bananas and 19-cent regular bananas. The following options were Teeny Tiny Avocados, Honeycrisp Apples, Brussels Sprouts, and Multicolored Organic Carrots.

The small and crispy Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones won the top dessert, followed by Danish Kringle, Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Lava Cakes and Brookie.

Among the many vegan and vegetarian options, the vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto has prevailed. Vegetable fried rice, meatless bulgogi, palak paneer, cauliflower gnocchi followed.