Degustabox December Review - Surprise Foodie Box & £7 Discount Code

Another packed Degustabox arrived this week, just in time for Christmas. The December box is called the 'Winter Box' but it's got a few Christmassy treats inside as well as some healthier products for the New Year.

Discount Code - £7 off!: 8TL75

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out a range of specially selected foodie products. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Each Degustabox costs £12.99, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code is a massive £7 off, making the first box only £5.99 delivered! Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the new discount code: 8TL75

www.degustabox.com/en

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the December Degustabox:

Bite+ Multi Grain Flakes: Bite+ is an innovative snack comprising multigrain cereal flakes that are seasoned with savoury flavours. Basically they're a cross between cornflakes and crisps! I received a Sour Cream & Onion flavour but there are also three other flavours available. I'm the type of person who enjoys snacking on dry cereal anyway so this product definitely appeals to me. The combinations of cereal flakes and the savoury sour cream and onion is slightly odd at first but still really tasty.

Nutri-Brex: A gluten free biscuit style cereal made with ancient Sorghum and flavoured with a hint of coconut and cinnamon. I'm not normally a fan of Weetabix type cereals but I've tried this brand before and loved it. The cereal stays crunchier in the milk and has a naturally sweet flavour. I cannot wait to try this flavour as I love both coconut and cinnamon. Full review coming soon!

Hoots Snacks: Hoots Snacks are multigrain snacks that are baked not fried, a source of fibre and all flavours are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Each individual snack looks like a mini toast and has visible multigrains that add a crunchy texture. The flavours I received are fairly simple but I enjoyed the fact that they are not overly seasoned. 

a2 Milk: A full size carton of long life a2 Milk. This milk is easier to digest compared to other cows milk as it's naturally free from the A1 protein that can trigger lactose intolerance symptoms. I'd heard of this brand but never tried it before. It's great when Degustabox have such a mix of useful groceries alongside the treats.

Newton's Appl Fizzics: A blend of apple juice and sparkling water with all natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives or added sugar. It's an extremely refreshing drink, a lighter version of apple juice with a delicate fizz, that tastes best when chilled.

What A Melon: Such a great brand name! This carton of watermelon water hydrates like coconut water, with extra anti-oxidants and the muscle loving amino acid citrulline. It's a summery drink with a super fruity flavour - it's just like biting into a juicy watermelon!

Gallo: There were twoGallo products in this months Degustabox; an Expresso Risotto Italian Four Cheese and a Rissotto Box Vegetables & Cheese. Both are quick and easy to make in the microwave. Gallo is my favourite go-to brand for risotto and these are perfect for any fans of cheesy sauces.

Eisberg: A bottle of Sauvignon Blanch from the UK's number one alcohol free wine brand Eisberg. It's fresh and aromatic and contains only 28 calories per 125ml serving.

Oh Fudge!: Another funny brand name! The Oh Fudge branded gift boxes are made by Bristow's and include a range of Oh Fudge I Nearly Forgot... occasions boxes. I received an Apple & Cinnamon flavoured fudge which is just perfect for this time of year. It's creamy and delicious with a lovely hint of fruit and spice.

Bahlsen Lebkuchen & Bahlsen Akora: Two bags of gorgeously festive Bahlsen treats. The Bahlsen Lebkuchen Mischung contains an assortment of gingerbread pieces with sugar glaze and chocolate. They have a delicious soft texture and spiced flavour. The Bahlsen Akora are traditional German heart shaped Lebkuchen with a gingerbread base and spiced jam filling - so delicious!

Overall, I was absolutely delighted with the fabulous selection in this months Degustabox. It's always difficult to choose favourites from such a packed box but this month I was especially pleased with the Hoots Snacks, Nutri-Brex, Oh Fudge! and the Bahlsen assortments.

For more details on Degustabox:

Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com/en

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.

Review: Limited Edition Monin Mocha Syrup

I'm a big fan of Monin syrups and have quite the collection of different flavours at the moment. Currently in my cupboards I have the popular Gingerbread and Vanilla syrups alongside more unusual flavours, such as; Speculoos, Apple Pie and even a Peach Iced Tea syrup. However, the latest limited edition flavour for Monin syrups is a staple for any coffee lover, the classic Mocha. 

At this time of year I often treat myself to a flavoured coffee made at home. We're lucky enough to have a Nespresso machine with a separate gizmo that makes frothy milk. My husband whipped up this layered latte using the Mocha syrup which looked gorgeous. After stirring it all together I could really taste the smooth cocoa flavour. Surprisingly this flavour is not as sweet as other Monin syrups, perhaps because it also enhances the coffee flavour too. 

The previous Monin limited edition flavour, the Chocolate Cookie, is much sweeter in comparison. It gives the coffee a sugary chocolate hit. The Mocha syrup is subtler and provides more balance between the coffee and chocolate flavours.Of course, Monin syrups are not just for coffee, they can also be used in milkshakes. In fact one recipe suggestion given on the back of the bottle is for adding the Mocha syrup to a glass of milk rather than coffee. I'll be giving that a try next!

Grocery Gems Review: Monin Mocha Syrup

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Purchased: Available at Sainsbury's.
Price: £3.00p (currently on offer for £2.00p).

PR Sample. 

Degustabox November Review - Surprise Foodie Box & £7 Discount!

The November Degustabox is always my favourite of the year as it's the Christmas Box! This month it was so packed with surprise foodie treats that I couldn't even fit all the products into the photo above.

It's always exciting opening up the Degustabox but even more so when the box is so festive looking! if you're thinking of treating yourself or a loved one to a Degustabox gift then don't forget to use the discount code below for £7 off your first box.

Discount Code - £7 off!: 8TL75

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out a range of specially selected foodie products. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Each Degustabox costs £12.99, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code is a massive £7 off, making the first box only £5.99 delivered! Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the new discount code: 8TL75

www.degustabox.com/en

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the November Degustabox:

Ahmad Tea Citrus Mint Sorbet Green Tea: This innovative flavour is part of the Ahmad Tea Dessert Collection which also includes; Pear & Cinnamon Struedel, Strawberry Velvet Cake and more. The Citrus & Mint Sorbet is a refreshing palate cleanser with a lovely mint flavour. 

Pipers Crisps: The latest flavour from Pipers Crisps is hand cooked potato crisps with a wild thyme and rosemary gathered from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This classic flavour combination is absolutely delicious here with the plentiful seasoning and fresh tasting herbs. 

The Good Cider: Two bottles of craft cider in fruity flavours. The Wild Berries is made using the freshest blackcurrants and cranberries whilst the Strawberry Lime has sweet strawberries and a squeeze of tangy lime. 

J20 Glitterberry: The festive limited edition is back. J20 Glitterberry is a unique grape, cherry and spice flavour drink with edible glitter that sparkles when the bottle is shaken. I reviewed it a few year ago fully here - J20 Glitterberry Review. 

Butterkist: I was pleased to find two bags of Butterkist in the November Degustabox - a large sharing bag of the last Choc Mallow flavour and a small bag of the Sweet Cinema Style. 

The Choc Mallow popcorn is described as popcorn with a chocolate marshmallow flavoured toffee coating. There aren't any marshmallow pieces as such but surprisingly there is plenty of marshmallow flavour coming through. The chocolate flavour is more subtle but I still enjoyed this popcorn overall. 

Michel et Augustin: Four cookie squares made with dark chocolate and a pinch of sea salt. The cookie base is deliciously buttery and is enriched by the rich dark chocolate. As a fan of sweet and salty combinations, I loved the little hint of salt that came through at the end of every bite.

Ryvita Crackers: A box of four packs of individually sealed crackers. These are very useful at this time of year! I received the Cracked Black Pepper flavour but there's also a Golden Rye and Green & Black Olive flavour available. 

Broderick's Crunchy Slam Dunk Peanut Chunk: This funky named offering is an award winning combination of peanuts, crunchy rice krispies, Belgian chocolate, all topped with a thick layer of chunky peanut butter and marbled chocolate. It's a must for any peanut butter fan with it's super sweet flavour and crispy texture.

The Gruffalo Golden Apple Fruit Drink: A fruit juice made with golden apple juice and natural Stevia sweeteners. There are no added sugars so apparently this fruit juice is school approved. My kids are not really fans of apple juice so I've been enjoying this myself.

Christian Potier Sauce: This box contains three single serve pouches of Hollandaise sauce. The Christian Potier range is made with natural ingredients and no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. It's very conveniently portioned and is quick and easy to prepare in the microwave.

Jules Destrooper Butter Crisps: Gorgeously buttery biscuits made with simple ingredients such as butter, sugar, eggs and flour. I've reviewed them previously here - Jules Destrooper Butter Crisps Review. 

Hartley's Glitter Jelly: Continuing the sparkly theme of this months Degustabox there are also two packs of Hartley's Glitter Jelly. This is such a fun and easy treat for the kids. Take a look at my previous review here - Hartley's Glitter Jelly Review.  

Overall, I was pleased with the selection in this months Degustabox. From the cute Christmas themed box to the delicious treats inside, it was a thoroughly enjoyable box. It's difficult to choose from such a packed box but my favourites this month were the Butterkist Popcorn, the Pipers Crisps and the Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares.

For more details on Degustabox:

Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com/en

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.

Degustabox October Review - Surprise Foodie Box & £7 Discount Code!

This is my favourite time of year for Degustabox as I always find that the boxes in the run up to Christmas are the most exciting. The October Degustabox was no exception and arrived last week packed full of surprise foodie treats.

Discount Code - £7 off!: 8TL75

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out a range of specially selected foodie products. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Each Degustabox costs £12.99, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code is a massive £7 off, making the first box only £5.99 delivered! Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the new discount code: 8TL75

www.degustabox.com/en

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the October Degustabox:

Yushoi Snapea Rice Sticks: These baked snacks are made from green peas. I've reviewed the Yushoi range previously - check out my Yushoi Snapea Rice Sticks Review. 

I am Souper: A range of 'High Protein' soups that are intended to keep you feeling fuller for longer. I received two flavours; a Pulled Pork and Jalapenos and a Supergreens.

Robinson's Squash'd Orange: A handy little squeezy bottle of concentrated squash. It's supposed to be ideal for on the go but I've only ever used these types of products at home. There are six flavours available with no more than 3 calories per serving. 

Levi Roots Smokey BBQ Coat 'n' Cook: My youngest son is a big fan of Levi Roots ever since he met the man himself (he did a talk for the kids at their school). We're all fans of the Levi Roots sauce and I'm glad to see even more products available in the range. This Smokey BBQ Coat 'n Cook Sauce is a super quick way to add flavour to a meal as there is no marinating necessary - just coat and cook straight away. 

Jim Jams 83% Less Sugar Milk Chocolate Spread: I've tried the Chocolate & Hazelnut version of this spread in a previous Degustabox and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Jim Jams Milk Chocolate spread is just as good with a lovely malty and rich flavour. It's less sugary tasting than other chocolate spread sand has a deliciously creamy texture. 

Pitch Choco Bar: This is a great new product. It's a brioche filled with a mini bar of chocolate! These are already popular in France but are apparently new to the UK. They're individually wrapped and my kids have been loving them in their lunchboxes.

Beloved Date Fruit Hearts: New Beloved Date Hearts are made from 100% date fruit with a hint of natural flavouring. They're cold-pressed and are gluten-free, suitable for vegans and 1 of your 5 a day.

I received four different flavours; Zesty Orange, Cocoa & Berry, Simply Divine, and Rich Cocoa.There are five cute heart shapes in each pack. The orange flavour was a little overpowering but I enjoyed all the other varieties and the soft and chewy texture too. 

Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme: This is such a classic bar and still the best cookies and cream bar around. It's just so crunchy and creamy at the same time. And even better - this one is King Size!

Heinz Kids Dried Pasta Shapes: Who doesn't love a novelty pasta shape? And these 50% whole wheat Minions pasta shapes are just too cute! Heinz already make tinned pasta shapes for kids but I much prefer dried pasta shapes. There are also Peppa Pig, TMNT and DC Superheroes pasta shapes in this range. I'm hoping Heinz will release a Hello Kitty one too! 

Maggi Fusian Noodles: These handy noodle packs come with an extra little sachet of oil and dried vegetable flakes, along with the seasoning. 

I received two flavours; Aromatic Spiced Curry and Fiery Sweet Chilli. Despite the name, neither flavour had too much heat to it (which I prefer) but was still packed full of flavour. I liked the addition of the little dried veggies and oil too - it made them a little bit more grown up then regular instant noodles!

Overall, I really enjoyed the surprise selection in this months Degustabox. Once again, there was a wonderful selection and plenty of exciting new products too. My favourites this month were the Jim Jams Chocolate Spread, Beloved Date Fruit Hearts, Hershey's and Pitch Choco Bars.

For more details on Degustabox:

Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com/en

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.

SWEETLY - New American Candy Subscription Box & Discount Code!

I was recently contacted by Sweetly about their new American candy subscription boxes and was lucky enough to receive one of their first boxes to try out. I love trying out candies and chocolates from the US and the Sweetly box is absolutely crammed full of sweet treats.

Here's a sneak peak at what was inside my Sweetly box before the full breakdown: 

I honestly don't know how they packed so many items into the size of the box but everything was in perfect condition. 

CANDY BARS: 

I was surprised to find four full sized chocolate/candy bars in the Sweetly box. The Butterfinger, 5th Avenue and Whatchamacallit bars are all absolute classics. I've tried these three before, and they're all firm favourites, but the fourth bar, U-NO, is a new one to me.

The U-No is described as a rich creamy chocolate. The texture is unusual with a crumbly, fudgey quality. The chocolate flavour is actually really good with a strong cocoa taste and creamy finish. There is 'chocolate liquor' listed in ingredients which gives the bar an extra lift!

DRINKS:

I wasn't expecting to find drinks in the Sweetly box but these are very welcome additions. I've never actually tried Kool-Aid before and this Pink Lemonade is exactly the type of flavour I would choose for myself. The Gatorade Thirst Quencher is also a new one to me. It's a naturally flavoured Lemon-Lime sparkling drink - another one that I can't wait to try! 

SWEETS:

There were plenty of American candies in the Sweetly box. The throwback Nerds Rainbow are always fun, along with the Original Lemonhead Lemon Candy and a small pack of Now & Later Extreme Sour Watermelon Soft Chews. 

There was also a pack of Starburst Gummi Burst Liquid Filled Gummies which I was really excited to find in the box. They remind me of my favourite (and much-missed) Haribo Cherry Cola with liquid filling. The flavours were all very sweet and fruity and I loved the oozy burst of the each liquid centre!

CAKES/BISCUITS:

Finally are another three classic American treats - a Moon-Pie Double Decker, a Hostess Twinkie and the Boyer Mallo Cup. I've never tried the Mallo Cup before but it's absolutely delicious, with a gorgeously gooey, coconut marshmallow centre. So good!

The Moon Pie has been around since 1917 and was actually created during the Great Depression. It's a combination of layers of marshmallow creme sandwiched between graham crackers and covered in chocolate. I really enjoyed this one, it's like a massive Wagon Wheel but much tastier. 

Overall, I was impressed with the wide selection of surprise American treats in the Sweetly box. My box contained 13 different items, ranging from the classics to new finds. It's a great first box and I hope that Sweetly continue with such awesome boxes in the future. Definitely one to keep in mind as a gift idea for the foodie in your life!

Discount Code: GROCERYGEMS10

There are three ways to sign up to Sweetly - for one month (£16.99p), for three months (£15.99p) or for six months (£13.99p). Sweetly have very kindly provided my readers with a discount code for 10% off your first order. Simply enter the code - GROCERYGEMS10

All boxes come with free delivery and will contain 12-14 full sized items. Sweetly also say that the average value of the boxes is more than £30. Please take a look at the Sweetly website for more details about the different options:  www.sweetlyuk.com

PR Samples.