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: Sunbites Honey Glazed Barbecue and Tomato & Mozzarella new flavours

A quick review of the new flavours from the Walkers Sunbites Muligrain Crispy Snacks range - the Tomato & Mozzarella and Honey Glazed Barbecue flavours.

Sunbites Honey Glazed Barbecue: These were much sweeter than I was expecting with a strong honey taste that gives way to a more classic barbecue sauce flavour. I wasn't too keen on these at first as I'm not keen on honey flavoured products (although I do like honey itself). However, I have to give these snacks a higher rating based on my eldest sons reaction - he really loved them. He's not a big fan of crisps in general and hardly ever eats them, but he's asked me to buy more of this flavour.

Sunbites Sun Dried Tomato & Mozzarella: I enjoyed the flavour here which combines a creamy cheese with a herby tomato flavour. It didn't particularly taste like sun dried tomatoes but the combination still reminded me of pizza flavoured snacks I've had in the past and especially suited the wholegrain base of the Sunbites. 

Grocery Gems Review: Walkers Sunbites

RATING: Barbecue - 8 out of 10 (for kids!), Tomato & Mozzarella - 7 out of 10.

Buy it again?: Yes.
Purchased: Ocado - but I've also spotted the multipacks in Poundland.
Price: £1.00p (for multipack of 6).

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

The September Degustabox arrived filled with a lovely selection of surprise groceries. It's always exciting to open up a Degustabox and Septembers box was no exception. I was pleased to find several new brands and products that I haven't tried before.

Discount Code: BLDEG15

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 £12.99p, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code has been increased and now offers a massive £7.00 off, bringing the cost to £6.99 delivered. Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the discount code: BLDEG15

www.degustabox.com/en

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

Teisseire Raspberry & Cranberry: I've always wanted to try Teisseire syrups so this was a very welcome addition to the Degustabox. The combination of sweet raspberry and tangy cranberry is delicious in this 0% sugar drink. Everyone in my family enjoyed it and the bottle was finished all too soon! I'm looking forward to trying more from this range.

Hartley's Jelly Pots: These useful lunchbox pots are all made with no added sugar and are less than 10 calories per pot. My kids are not all that keen on jelly so I'll be saving these for my own little sweet treats. 

Cirio Borlotti Beans: A triple pack of steam-cooked borlotti beans which are a good source of dietary fibre and vitamins. I'm a fan of other Cirio canned products, especially their tinned tomatoes and passata, so I was interested to find that they also make canned beans. These small cans are useful for soups and even as a quick addition to salads and couscous.

Say Yes to No Bread Chips: I've tried these in a previous Degustabox. The brand is an unusual one, Say Yes To No state that they want to say NO to artificial flavours and additives, as well as "false promises, fake colours, advertising lies, artificial taste, and photoshopping". Anyway, thankfully they do want to say YES to tasty chips.

I received the Sour Cream & Onion Toasted Bread Chips which are circular bread bites that are full of flavour. The toasted bread base is crunchy and light, creating a tasty and moreish snack.

Cape Drinks: I've said before that I'm a big fan of iced tea so I was excited to find this interesting brand. Cape Drinks are a sparkling blend of Rooibos Tea and fruit juices with added vitamins, ginseng and natural botanical extracts. The flavours are very appealing; Peach & Lychee and Pineapple & Passion Fruit. I really enjoyed both flavours, they're refreshing, fruity and not too sweet.

Chia Bia Whole & Milled Chia Seed Sachets: Ever since I tried Chia Seeds a few years ago, I've been regularly sprinkling them on my morning porridge or on yogurts. I prefer these types of smaller sachets to big bags as they're more convenient for me.

Metcalfe's Popcorn Thins: An individually sealed pack of Metcalfe's Popcorn Thins. These are light and crispy with a satisfying topping of smooth Italian chocolate. The front of the pack says '82 calories per serving' but be careful as the small print on the back says that this pack is actually two servings! 

Emily Fruit Crisps Crunchy Banana: This is another brand that I've been wanting to try for a while. And oh my these are so good - thank you Degustabox! Each banana piece has a wonderfully crunchy and crispy texture, whilst the flavour is super sweet and creamy. I'll be trying out more from this range for sure.

Mrs Crimble's Gluten Free Pasta with Sauce: A packet of gluten free Fusilli pasta with a gourmet mushroom and cream sauce. It's easy to cook in around 10 minutes without much effort at all. I had to pass this one onto Mr. Grocery Gems as I've never been fond of creamy sauces on pasta. He really liked the strong mushroom flavour here and found it a very filling and quick lunch.

Get Fruity Pineapple, Coconut & Lime Bar: Get Fruity is an award-winning fruit and oat bar that has a high percentage of the named fruit. It's made with gluten free oats and virgin coconut oil with no added refined sugars. I tried the Get Fruity Strawberry Bar in a previous Degustabox and I absolutely loved the combination of oats and fruit. This Pineapple, Coconut & Lime flavour is just as delicious as I was expecting - so softly fruity and very filling.

Overall, I really enjoyed the surprise selection in this months Degustabox. Once again, there was a wonderful selection of new foodie treats. My favourites this month were the Get Fruity Bar, Cape Drinks, and the delicious Emily Fruit Crisps.

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 August Review & a £7 Discount Code

My August Degustabox actually arrived in early September as I had to delay the delivery (I was on holiday when it was due to arrive). I love how easy it is the reschedule the Degustabox delivery if the time and date isn't convenient. Anyway, as usual the Degustabox was once again packed full of new foodie products that I can't wait to try.  

Discount Code: BLDEG15

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 £12.99p, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code has been increased and now offers a massive £7.00 off, bringing the cost to £6.99 delivered. Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the discount code: BLDEG15

www.degustabox.com/en

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

Willy Chase's Fit Corn: I've never heard of this brand before but the bright packaging and interesting flavour made it instantly appealing. There were one of four possible flavours in the Degustabox: Apple Cider Vinegar, Smokey Bloody Mary, Goats Cheese, Onion & Thyme or Salted Honey. I'm definitely pleased with the flavour I received! The combination of sweet honey and salty flavours worked together perfectly.

NutriPot: Another new brand to me which I'm always keen to try out. The NutriPot are designed to be healthy and nutritious, with each pot containing 50% of all the 28 vitamins and minerals your body requires every day. I received two flavours that are both simple to make by just adding boiling water. The Aromatic Thai Noodles has a slightly spiced flavour while the Moroccan Couscous is flavoured with sultanas and herbs. 

Clipper Lime & Ginger Green Tea: I've only recently become a convert to lemon flavoured green tea. I'd always assumed it wouldn't be for me but I tried a cup at a friends house and became hooked. This Lime & Ginger flavour works just as well with the lime added a refreshing sweetness and the ginger providing extra warmth. Lemon green tea is still my favourite but I would buy this one if I fancied a change.

Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix: Bircher Muesli is traditionally made in Switzerland by soaking oats overnight in juice and yogurt and adding grated fruit. The Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix came with a little scoop for measuring out the perfect portion, and is then made by adding 60ml of apple juice, a spoonful of yogurt on top and refridgerating for 30mins (or overnight) in the fridge.

The result is an absolutely delicious and creamy muesli that is packed full of fruity flavour. I've never had oats made with apple juice before and now I just can't stop! It's become my favourite breakfast and I've had it every day since I first tried it. I'll be buying this regularly from now on.

Mahou Cinco Estrellas Lager: This lager is produced in Madrid and has a history going back 126 years. It's available in most supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury's and online at Ocado. My dad loves this one!

Get More Multivitamins: This drink is made with spring water, natural flavours and no added sugar. There are six different flavours available and I received the Sparkling Lemon & Lime. It's a refreshing drink with a flavour similar to a diet lemonade. I preferred the Still Mango & Passionfruit version which I tried in a previous Degustabox.

Fentimans Sparkling Lime & Jasmine: I'm a fan of Fentimans' botanical drinks, especially their Curiosity Cola. This Sparkling Lime and Jasmine is new to me so I was excited to give it a try. The initial flavour is quite sharp, with the citrus notes kicking in straight away and quite a sour taste overall.

Rakusen's Snackers: Available in Plain and Gluten Free varieties. These Snackers are less than 1% fat and have seven calories per cracker. The ingredients in both are very simple, resulting in quite plain tasting crackers - a bit like water crackers. They're very crunchy which makes them good for dipping and topping.

Geeta's Curry Pastes & Chutney: There were three different products from the Geeta's range in the Degustabox. The curry pastes, a Tikka and a Rogan Josh, are quite small so are ideal for two rather than for family meals. The Premium Mango Chutney is an award-winning chutney that is sweet, tangy and full of flavour.

Tabasco Sauce: My other half was very pleased to find this in the Degustabox. He loves trying out different barbecue sauces - any excuse to fire up the BBQ! This Sweet & Sticky Barbecue sauce and marinade has a rich and smokey flavour and works well on ribs and pulled pork.

Capsicana Latin Flavours: Capsicana Cook Sauces are available in three Latin American inspired flavours; Peruvian Chilli & Lemon, Brazilian Chilli & Coconut, and Mexican Chilli & Honey. This looks like a fabulous new range and the flavours all look really appealing. I'm looking forward to giving these one a try, I'll probably use it with chicken but it can also be used with fish or vegetables. The Capsicana range is now available at Waitrose.

Overall, I really enjoyed the surprise selection in this months Degustabox. There was a wonderful mix of useful items and many new brands. I also received a packet of Oloves which I've reviewed previously here - Oloves Olives Review. My favourites this month were the Clipper Tea, Tabasco BBQ sauce, Chase's Popcorn and the amazing Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix.

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.

Snack & Shopping Haul from Cartagena, Colombia

A family friend recently visited the beautiful city of Cartagena in Colombia. Luckily for me they also brought back an impressive array of treats for everyone. Apparently there were lots of grocery stores and supermarkets dotted around so it was easy enough to pick up Colombian brands. I must admit that when I go abroad this is one of the things I find most interesting and I always bring back a few groceries!  

Juan Valdez Vanicanela & Chocolate Café Colombiano: Colombia is famous for it's coffee production but I hadn't actually heard of this brand before. Juan Valdez is actually a popular coffeehouse chain in Colombia and I was lucky enough to try out a few of their flavoured instant coffees, a Chocolate flavour and the Vanicanela which is a blend of vanilla and cinnamon. These coffees are both absolutely delicious with natural flavours rather than being too artificial or overpowering. The Vanicanela is gorgeous with a delicate vanilla flavour and a hint of authentic cinnamon. The Chocolate flavoured coffee is delicious too, so smooth and a perfect balance of flavours without being too sweet. 

Juan Valdez Cafés de Origen Gourmet Selection: I also received this lovely ground coffee gift set featuring gourmet coffees from different regions of Colombia. We've been making these in a cafetiere each morning and they really provide a great kickstart to our day! All the varieties we've tried so far have created a smooth tasting, perfect cup of coffee.

Jet Chocolate: Jet is the most popular candy bar in Colombia and was apparently easy to find in a small supermarket near the hotel that my friend stayed in. They brought back two varieties, the original milk chocolate and a new Cookies & Cream version. The milk chocolate Jet was not really edible as the chocolate itself had a sour 'off' flavour. I'm not sure if this was because it had suffered some heat damage or if it's just too similar to Hershey's for my taste. In contrast, the Jet Cookies & Cream is a white chocolate and Oreo-type cookie confection that was much tastier and enjoyed by all.

Plantain Chips: I've always been a fan of plantain chips (see my reviews HERE and HERE) and these two are no exception. The NatuChips Platano Maduro had a lovely golden colour and rich fried flavour with a hint of salt, whilst the Turbana Chips had a delicious hint of Lime for added flavour.

NatuChips Yuca: Fried yuca is apparently popular in Latin American as a side dish and snack food. It's said to be a creamier and sweeter alternative to fried potatoes. I haven't had a chance to try this chip snack version yet but I'm really intrigued to try them - I'll update soon! 

Kellogg's Cinnabon: The supermarkets in Cartagena also had a lot of American groceries at very reasonable prices. I've been wanting to try this Kellogg's Cinnamon cereal for ages and it's impossible to get hold of in the UK (at least without paying a small fortune!). As a cinnamon fan, I really enjoyed this cereal and I wish Kellogg's would release it here too.

Wayuu Mochila Bags: Not food related, but you really can't go to Cartagena without buying one of the stunning handmade Wayuu bags - the more colourful and patterned the better! I also have one in black with a colourful strap that I wear more often, but this neon bright one just makes me happy to look at it!

I hope you enjoyed this Colombian shopping haul. A massive thank you to my lovely friend for utterly spoiling us all with these treats!