December 2021 Degustabox review : Winter Warmers & New Year

So how was Christmas? I hope you all had a good one, whatever the circumstances. We had a quiet Christmas with just the four of us, as things have got trickier for travelling to meet up with the family and I had visions of us getting stuck and not being able to get home ! We ordered in lots of tasty things to eat and, just before the big day, our December Degustabox arrived, providing more food discoveries that the whole family enjoyed sampling.

   

First up, a very healthy sounding product from Amy's Kitchen, Hearty Organic Quinoa, Kale & Red Lentil Soup (RRP £2.15), which sounds perfect for kicking off the traditional New Year's healthy eating resolution. It is packed with plant power from organic red lentils, quinoa, kale and veggies and is gluten free, vegan and low in fat. This sounds like just the kind of thing Sophie would love, so I've put it aside for her. It's perfect for a quick lunch when she's home alone. Available in major supermarkets.

Vita Coco Choc-o-lot (RRP £3.75) sounds like another product that Sophie will love, as she's dairy-intolerant. It's a chocolate and coconut drink that is dairy-free, vegan and not made from concentrate. This is another healthy option, perfect for the New Year, as it is bursting with vitamin C and contains only 25 calories per 100ml. Available from Sainsbury's, Co op, Holland & Barrett and Waitrose.

Vahdam India Maharaja English Breakfast Black Tea (RRP £1) offers a curated combination of robust, full-bodied and flavourful Assam black teas, packed in a convenient pyramid tea bag. I'm not a tea drinker but ... I can sense a theme beginning here ! ... Sophie will enjoy trying them out.

Aha, this one's not for Sophie, it's for me ! Well, OK, I'll share with everyone ! McVitie's Digestives Seasonal Edition Mince Pie (RRP £1.59) are a lovely festive version of the classic chocolate biscuit. We've enjoyed sampling several of the limited edition versions and it's always nice to detect a new, unusual or surprising flavour coming through. This has a mild mince pie flavour that is perfect for a Yuletide nibble !

Aspall Draught Cyder (RRP £2.20) is a crisp, medium-dry cyder (now I'm wondering what the difference between a cider and a cyder is !), crafted at the original Cyder House, Suffolk. It is a refreshing drink with a definite taste of fresh pressed apples. The "draught" label confused me as I always thought this was applied to cider or beer served from the pumps at a bar, rather than in a bottle, but what do I know ?! I really liked this and I'd definitely buy it again.

Curiously Cinnamon (RRP £2.80) is perfect for the winter, with a festive cinnamon flavour that gives a gentle warming feeling when you eat it. The tongue-tingling crunchy whole grain squares are a great way to start the day ! The kids love the flavour and I love the fact that they're 33% whole grain, a source of calcium and they contain seven vitamins and iron.

Nick's Crunchy Caramel (RRP £1.50) is a tasty snack, made of caramel and almond, covered in smooth milk chocolate. It tastes great, despite being sugar free. It also contains no gluten and no palm oil. I've never seen this brand before but I'll be looking out for it, to see what else they have in the range. (The write-up in the Degustabox mentions sweets and ice cream.) Available at WHSmiths, selected Sainsbury's and on Amazon.

 

Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil Originale (RRP £5 - other Degustabox subscribers got Classico, which is ideal for grilling, baking or frying) offers a taste of Italy. It is made using 100% olive oil and no additives so you get to appreciate the genuine fruity olive taste. Available on Ocado and Amazon.

Cheddar Cheesies (RRP £1.19 - other Degustaboxers got Gouda Cheesies) are an interesting concept - just cheese, baked until crunchy. They're naturally protein-packed, have no carbs or sugar and are only around 120 calories per serving. The Great Taste Awards 2021 described them as "the very definition of moreish" and I agree - they're very tasty !

Pipers Pitta Chips (RRP 2 x £1.10) are a great new snack, made by farmers, from the company known for their crisps. These crunchy pitta chips combine local, great tasting ingredients with a bespoke baking process. The resulting snack is very tasty. Our favourites were the Cawdor Hills Garlic & Herbs, but the Biggleswade Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream ones were happily munched on too. Available at local farm shops, pubs, Ocado, Waitrose and Sainsbury's.

Rhythm 108 Vegan Hazelnut Chocolate Praline Cookie (RRP £1.49) is a "consciously crafted, deliciously Swiss" moment of pure indulgence. You get a soft blonde Swiss chocolate chip cookie, filled with a creamy hazelnut chocolate praline, then topped with a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts and even more chocolate chips. It tastes as good as it sounds, but there's more - it's vegan, organic, gluten-free and 27% less sugar. It even comes in home compostable packaging. What's not to like ?! Available at Morrisons, Booths, Planet Organic, on Amazon, Ocado and Rhythm 108.

This month's Product of the Month is Nissin Cup Noodles Soba Japanese Curry (RRP £1.49), which is great if you're looking for a quick meal or for something the kids can prepare by themselves. Ready in just three minutes, it's like a combination of a classic Japanese curry and a vegetarian wok-style dish. You get the sweet taste of aromatic vegetables, the subtle heat of traditional Asian herbs and spices and the incredible aroma of roasted onions. This goes against the idea of it being a vegetarian dish, but it's also perfect for mixing with leftover turkey and vegetables, if you're still using up the remains of Christmas dinner !

The final product in this month's box is Swizzels Chocolate Drumstick (RRP £1). I couldn't get my head around a combination of these two sweets - would the flavour of raspberry and milk lollies work with chocolate? Well, it does actually and I think the addition of real raspberry pieces helps. You get a smooth chocolate bar filled with milk and raspberry fondant and raspberry pieces. Definitely worth a try and it only costs a pound ! Available at Morrisons, Boots, Booths, Planet Organic, Amazon, Ocado and Rhythm 108. 

 A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 

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Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.