Kit Kat Vegan Review

A quick review of the new Kit Kat Vegan which has hit the shelves this week in Sainsbury's. I managed to find a stand full of them in a smaller Sainsbury's Local store after having no luck in the larger stores near me.

Kit Kat has always been one of my favourite chocolate bars and as a kid I would annoy everyone around me by nibbling all the chocolate off the edges first before eating the wafer layers. Thankfully I've outgrown that! 

I had high hopes for the Kit Kat Vegan and it mostly delivered a very similar flavour to the original Kit Kat - even my kids found it hard to tell the difference. The vegan chocolate is well done and what it lacks in milky flavour it makes up for in sweetness. I was worried that it would taste like a dark chocolate Kit Kat but the sweet chocolate here is not bitter at all. I do wish the chocolate had a creamier flavour but understandably that is quite hard to acheive in a vegan chocolate.

Overall this is a successful vegan alternative of a classic chocolate bar and that's great news for anyone following a dairy free or vegan diet.

Grocery Gems Review: Kit Kat Vegan Review

RATING: 8 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Purchased: Sainsbury's, £1.00p each.

Review: Degustabox May (Brunch & Afternoon Tea)

The latest Degustabox arrived and the theme of the month is 'Brunch & Afternoon Tea'. Inside the surprise foodie box was another great mix of tasty snacks and sweet treats.

About Degustabox:

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out 10 to 15 specially selected foodie products per box. 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. 

www.degustabox.com/en/

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

Koko Dairy Free: This Super Milk is enriched with 9 key vitamins and minerals. It's a great replacement for regular milk.  I only use dairy free milk for cereals and hot drinks so this was a very welcome surprise in the Degustabox.

Oteas: I love flavoured black teas so I was excited to try this new (to me) brand. The biodegradable teabags look lovely and smell amazing too! The tea itself is fragrant with a subtle sweetness from the fruity apricot.

Indie Bay: Tasty pretzel bites made with spelt flour and seasoned with rock salt. I enjoyed these as a snack and it's great to know that they are vegan and have less than 100 calories per pack.

Daelmans Stroopwafels: A single pack of Daelmans Stroopwafels which contains two waffles with a caramel filling. My son loved these so much that we've added them to our next shopping list.

Splenda: A mini pack of Splenda sucralose with 100 calorie free sweeteners. The Degustabox leaflet also includes a recipe for a Cinnamon Latte made with Splenda that I will have to give a try.

Fruity Beauties: A fun and nutricious fruity bar that is perfect for kids. This had a soft, chewy texture with a sweet and tangy flavour.

Free From Fellows - Midget Gems: As the name would suggest, these Midget Gems are made without sugar, gluten, gelatine and dairy. They're suitable for vegans and are also free from artificial colours and flavourings. I'm really glad that Degustabox introduced me to this brand as it's definitely one I'll be looking out for from now on. They also make Gummy Bear and Cola Bottles which I hope to find soon.

Hellman's Vegan Mayo: The iconic mayo brand is now vegan! I've been meaning to try this one so thank you Degustabox. The flavour is just as creamy and delicious as the Hellman's Real Mayonnaise and is perfect for sandwiches and veggie burgers.

Kuhne Gin Cornichons: Extra crunchy guerkins refined with a Gin to give them a refreshing, fruity edge. There is also a Whiskey Cornichhons variety available that adds sweeter, vanilla notes.

Firefly: A refreshing blend of Lemon, Lime & Ginger with botanticals such as nettle and dandelion. It's lovely over ice with a reviving citrus flavour.

Shore Seaweed Puffs: These are available in four different flavours - I received the Lime, Chilli & Coconut. They're full of flavour, with each of the three elements coming through. The chilli provides a bit of a kick but is balanced by the creaminess of the coconut.

MilkyBar Mix Ups: I've already bought these a few times since they've been released as my kids really enjoy them. The mix of white and milk chocolate makes these a winner.

Overall, I enjoyed the selection of surprise groceries in this month's Degustabox - there were plenty of new brands to discover. I was especially happy to find the Hellman's Vegan Mayo, Firefly Drinks and Oteas. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this months Degustabox in the comments below.

For more details:
Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com

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: Degustabox Best of British (April)

I do love a themed Degustabox and I was excited to find out what was included in the April 'Best of British' themed box. Inside there was a fab mix of some classic brands such as Heinz and Ty-Phoo, alongside a discovery of interesting new products.

About Degustabox:

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out 10 to 15 specially selected foodie products per box. 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. 

www.degustabox.com/en/

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

Bulls-Eye NY Steakhouse BBQ Sauce: This is a very unique sauce - it's not smooth but has visible onions and peppers. It's essentially a cross between a relish and a sauce. It's also full of flavour and tastes almost homemade with plenty of natural ingredients and spices - it packs a zing at the end with a hint of heat too.

Slim Rice Sushi: This is made using Japanese sushi rice and konjac rice for lower calories. It doesn't need any cooking so can be used straight onto a nori sheet to make sushi. I will probably use it as a replacement for rice the next time I make a stir fry dish.

TyPhoo Tea: Typhoo has been around since 1903 and is a much loved British tea brand. As much as new products are exciting, I also love it when storecupboard essentials are included in the Degustabox - and they don't get much more essential (and British) than teabags!

Robinsons Pressed Pear & Elderflower: This is the perfect combination for a grown-up fruit cordial. My husband especially enjoyed the crisp fruitiness of the pear combined with the refreshing and delicate elderflower. I haven't been a fan of some of the flavours in this range so I was pleased with this discovery.

London Flavours Crisps: These hand-cooked crisps are available in three street food inspired flavours; Pho, Teriyaki & Sticky Ribs - I received the Street Food Pho. All flavours are suitable for vegans. I really enjoyed the texture of these, each chip is thick and crunchy, with a lovely tangy flavour too.

Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry: Ever since I tried these in a previous Degustabox, Candy Kittens have become my favourite brand of sweets. I always treat myself to a bag for movie nights or special occassions. The Wild Strawberry is up there with my favourite flavours, although I also love the Peach and Blueberry varieties too.

Crafted by Cracker Drinks Co: A new brand that I've never tried before. This is a fruit juice drink with no added sugar or sweeteners, packed in an environmentally friendly carton. It's a lovely tasting juice, very a gorgeous tropical flavour and not too sweet. I would definitely buy this again if I was out and about.

Pachamama: These vegan bars are made with a mix of cacao, dates, nuts, grains and seeds. I received two flaovurs; Andean Berries & Raspberry and Cocao & Cashew. The texture is very dense and packed full of ingredients. I preferred the slightly sweeter and fruitier hints of the Andean Berries variety.

Love Corn: These little vegan corn kernals are simply delicious. The barbecue flavour is absolutely delicious and perfectly matched to the natural crunchy corn. This was my favourite snack in the whole Degustabox.

Heinz: I'm sure I don't need to describe either Heinz Baked Beanz or Heinz Tomato Soup as they're both classics. Funnily enough I have never tried the Organic version of the Baked Beanz or the convenient microwavable pot for the Tomato Soup so it was still fun finding these in the Degustabox.

Skinny Food Co - Not Guilty Bites: Interesting little packs of high protein White Chocolate or Milk Chocolate Crispies. These seem to be made with soy flakes and have a similar appearance and texture to traditional rice krispies. Each pack has about six bites and comes in under 99 calories. 

Nestlé Oat Cheerios: Another grocery classic that I buy regularly. Nestlé Cheerios are one of my kids' favourite cereals and we're fans of this Oat variety too.

Once again I enjoyed the selection of surprise groceries in this month's Degustabox - there were plenty of new brands to discover. I was especially happy to find the Love Corn, London Flavours Crisps, and Candy Kittens. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this months Degustabox in the comments below.

For more details:
Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com

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: Toblerone Vs Twin Peaks (Poundland)

After some dispute with the makers of Toblerone, and a few changes to the design and colour scheme, Poundland were finally able to release their Twin Peaks chocolate bar. Instead of taking it's inspiration from Swiss mountains, the Twin Peaks bar is a much more British affair that is 'inspired by the Wrekin & Ercall Hills'. Of course since they are both comprised of milk chocolate with almonds and honey nougat, I thought they deserved a side by side comparative review.

Whatever it's origins, the Twin Peaks bar is definitely good value for money at 180g compared to the Toblerone at 150g. There are bigger Toblerone bars available but this is the nearest in value. Ironically enough I actually bought this Toblerone in a Poundland too.

The Twin Peaks looks solid and chunky next to the longer and slimmer Toblerone. This is my first time seeing the new design of the Toblerone, with it's bigger spaces in between each triangle, and it doesn't look as ridiculous as I had thought it would. The Toblerone's outer packaging of cardboard and inner foil still makes it look more expensive compared to the Twin Peaks single plastic wrapper.

Left: Toblerone   Right: Twin Peaks

The chocolate itself has visible differences. The Twin Peaks chocolate (on the right) is very impressive looking with it's darker colouring and larger chunks of nougat throughout. The Toblerone has a creamier complexion with much smaller bits of nougat. Taste wise it was a close win for the Toblerone amongst my family of taste testers. The creamier and smoother chocolate of the Toblerone gave it a more enjoyable edge. As much as I hate to admit it, the larger spaces between chunks made the Toblerone simpler to eat, with each piece snapping off with ease. The Twin Peaks felt much harder to bite into, and whilst the flavour is satisfying enough, it's slightly sweeter and grittier than the Toblerone.

Grocery Gems Verdict: Toblerone Vs Twin Peaks Poundland

WINNER: Toblerone - but the Twin Peaks is still worth a try.
Buy it again?: Maybe.
Purchased: Poundland.
Price: £1.00p each.

New Review: Hello Kitty Kinder Surprise Eggs

Hello Kitty Kinder Surprise Eggs.  Enough said. I should just end the review here. Just look at the adorable photos. It's a cuteness overload that brings together two of my favourite things; Hello Kitty & chocolate. Of course, now the only downside is that I need to collect THEM ALL. I need all the Hello Kitty Kinder toys right now.

Each Hello Kitty Kinder Surprise toy comes with it's own scenic background that is decorated on both sides. The details are all so cute and well done. 

I've got three Hello Kitty figures in my collection so far, each with a unique themed background.

Zoom in to see the eight figures available - I NEED the reindeer kitty!

The Hello Kitty Kinder Surprise Eggs are part of a release with the Hot Wheels Kinder Surprise Eggs but honestly who cares about Hot Wheels? I bought just the one for my sons to fight over. Anyhoo, Hello Kitty is awesome! 

Grocery Gems Verdict: Kinder Surprise Hello Kitty

RATING: 10 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes!
Purchased: Asda.
Price:  £0.80p each.

Review: KIND Bars - Almond & Coconut and Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond

I was recently sent a selection of KIND bars to review. My favourites were the Almond & Coconut and Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond flavours - both very different but packed full of flavour and delicious ingredients.

KIND Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond: This bar is made with 58% whole almonds and is gluten and dairy free, with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.  The dark chocolate gives this bar a deliciously rich flavour without any bitterness, whilst the almonds are all super crunchy and full of flavour. The hint of coffee flavour that comes through adds to the deliciousness and is perfect for any coffee fan. 

KIND Almond & Coconut: The almond and coconut bar has a softer and chewier texture compared to the first dark chocolate bar. It's made up of 32% almonds and 27% coconut and is also gluten and dairy free with no added nasties. The crunchy almonds and soft coconut is such a wonderful combination and the flavours work together perfectly to create a deliciously sweet treat.

I'd never tried the range of KIND bars before but I will definitely be buying them in the future. The ingredients list is reassuringly simple but the flavours are all decadent and filling.

Grocery Gems Review: KIND Bars

RATING: Coconut & Almond: 9 out of 10, Dark Choc Mocha Almond: 10 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Nutrition: Coconut & Almond: 194 calories, Dark Choc Mocha Almond: 199 calories. 
Purchased: Available at Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Amazon and Whole Foods. 
Price: £1.29p.

PR Samples.

Review: New Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Peanut Butter Flavour & Mint Flavour

It's been ages since I last reviewed a chocolate bar but believe me it's not because I don't eat them anymore. No, it's simply that I haven't found anything new recently that appealed enough to me to review. That is until I spied these new Oreo flavours from Cadbury Dairy Milk. As a fan of the original - see my review from all the way back in 2012 of the Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo - I knew I had to give these new varieties a try. Also, peanut butter and mint are two of my favourite flavours anyway (not together obviously!).

Fun spoiler alert: This is a split review - I loved one bar and hated the other. Can you guess which?

Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Peanut Butter Flavour Review: This one is simply described on the packaging as a 'milk chocolate with a peanut butter flavour filling'. In fact it's so much more than that as it's also jam packed full of crunchy Oreo pieces. As soon as I opened the packaging I could immediately tell this was a peanut butter flavoured bar, the scent is immediately very peanutty. I liked the familiar creamy and crunchy texture here, which is just like the original Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo bar but that's just about the only good thing I can say about this one. 

Unfortunately, the actual peanut butter flavour didn't work for me or live up to the promise of that initial opening. Peanut butter is a fairly simple flavour in my mind to get right and this just doesn't capture it at all. Instead the flavour that I'm getting is a bitter peanut one with a hint of salt and a weird aftertaste of coffee. In fact I'm getting queasy just thinking about it. I could only eat a few pieces of this one and it will never darken my tastebuds again. I'm sorry Cadbury, but don't worry there's much better news below!

Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Mint Flavour Review: Have I ever mentioned before how much I like a mint flavoured chocolate? Especially when it's not a classy dark chocolate affair but just a crazy sweet milk chocolate like the Aero Mint Bubbles. Luckily for my taste buds they were much happier after trying the Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Mint. It has all the crunchiness from the Oreo pieces coupled with a smooth and deliciously creamy mint filling. It's not going to break any boundaries for flavour innovation but it's a solidly tasty chocolate. Taste buds rejoice!

Grocery Gems Review:Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Peanut Butter Flavour & Mint Flavour

RATING: Peanut Butter - 3 out of 10, Mint - 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Peanut Butter - No, Mint - Yes.
Nutrition:  84 calories per 3 chunks.
Vegetarian: Suitable for Vegetarians.
Purchased: Co-Op.
Price: £1.00p each 120g bar.