Members say popular product sold at Costco tastes different

Shopping at Costco can be a true adventure in that you never quite know what you're going to find on the shelves. For some people, that's a bad thing. If you're someone with specific dietary needs, the ever-changing nature of Costco's inventory may be a problem.But overall, Costco members tend to appreciate the treasure-hunt shopping experience the store offers. In fact, you'll notice that Costco generally doesn't label its aisles. There's a reason for that.Costco wants to make sure members who visit the store roam the aisles to see what's in stock. And you may, in turn, stumble across surprise purchases that save you money or fulfill an important need. Of course, some of the items you'll find at Costco are ones you'll spot at traditional supermarkets and big-box stores, albeit in larger quantities. But having to buy a megaload of your favorite grocery products at a time isn't the only change you might notice when you load up on popular goods at Costco.Costco members say popular product tastes differentIf you're a big snacker or have kids at home who are constantly asking for treats between meals, you may be a fan of Oreo cookies. They're not fancy, but they get the job done of satisfying any sweet tooth.Recently, though, Costco members took to Reddit to say that the Oreos they purchased from the warehouse club giant don't taste the same as the standard version of those cookies. Related: Costco quietly made changes to Kirkland Signature brand"My husband, who is a super-taster, is 99% convinced that the Oreos from Costco (USA) taste different than the ones you buy at the grocery store," said one user."They are different...Costco ones are superior," said another."Costco Oreos don't have HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) and just use cocoa for flavoring," a third Reddit user pointed out. This was also confirmed by Chowhound. Given that health experts have linked high-fructose corn syrup to a number of potential health issues, that's actually a positive.And thankfully, the general consensus is that Costco's Oreos don't taste worse — just different. Many Costco shoppers say Oreo cookies they purchase from the warehouse club giant don't taste the same as the standard version.Shutterstock Why Costco products often taste differentIf you do a lot of shopping at Costco, you may notice that it's not just Oreos that taste different. A number of products' taste can diverge slightly from what you find at regular supermarkets, and there's a reason.First, bulk packaging can affect a product's freshness and texture. To survive bulk packaging, food may be specially prepared, leading to a mild (or in some cases, notable) taste variation.More Retail:Costco sees major shift in member behaviorRetail chain shuts all locations as legal changes hit industryCostco makes major investment in online shopping for membersLululemon struggles to reverse concerning customer behaviorT-Mobile launches free offer for customers after major lossAlso, Costco sources its items strategically, but it may mean sourcing certain products regionally to reduce costs. That could affect product taste.Further, Costco produces many popular items under its Kirkland Signature brand. The brand is known for its high quality. Still, the Kirkland version of any given popular product may come across a little differently on consumer palates.So where does this leave you? If you're an Oreo purist, you may want to stick to big-box stores and supermarkets if any deviation from the classic cookie's original taste is likely to put you over the edge. If not, you may want to buy your Oreos from Costco — not just for the bulk savings, but because the ingredients may be a little more natural and therefore slightly less bad for you. And if you're someone who eats Oreos by the half-dozen as a matter of course, that's important.Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.Related: Costco sees shift in member behavior