We're into the New Year so I was expecting to be slightly disappointed by the January Degustabox as it is usually full of healthy, low fat and alcohol-free options to help people stick to their New Year's resolutions. This year's New Year Degustabox came as a complete surprise though, as it was full of things, including sweets and chocolate, that our family will love sampling. Here's what was in this month's box.
Bio & Me Nice & Nutty Gluten Free Porridge (RRP £1.50) is a convenient breakfast or snack option that is good for your gut. It is 100% plant-based, prebiotic and contains no added sugar. The taste comes from a bend of up to thirteen different plant foods, including nuts, seeds, fruit and veg (chicory root fibre and dried carrot, in case you were wondering). The flavour is rich and better than I expected, but I still think I'd prefer the Spiced Apple variety that other subscribers got in the box. Just fill the pot with boiling water up to the line, leave for three minutes and it's ready to eat. Bonus points for the recyclable pot. Available in Tesco's, Sainsbury's and on the Bio & Me website.
Caffé Borbone Crema Classica Ground Coffee (RRP £6.50) is a full-bodied and balanced coffee from Naples, Italy. It is perfect for Expresso and Latte and it has an aroma-saving valve to keep its "just roasted" touch. With an intensity of 8/10, this is a great choice for coffee-lovers. Unfortunately, I'm not one, so I passed this on to Sophie.
Galaxy Smooth Mint (RRP £1.25) is a new take on the indulgent, creamy chocolate that I already love in its original form. The extra mintiness of this bar works very well with the rich, smooth chocolate. I love the taste and I love the low price. A special mention for the responsibly sourced cocoa too. Available in Ocado.
Cirio Baked Beans (RRP £1.40) offer an Italian twist on a British classic, coming from a brand I associate with tinned tomatoes. The beans come in a rich tomato sauce made with premium Italian tomatoes and the taste does work very well. These can be enjoyed on toast, with eggs or meat or added to a casserole to bulk it out. Available in all major supermarket chains.
Mutti Vegan Bolognese (RRP £3.50) is this month's Product of the Month. The rich texture of yellow pea proteins and the fresh flavour of Mutti tomatoes are enriched with sauteed carrots and onions to provide a rich, enjoyable pasta sauce. I didn't mention to the Madhouse kids that this was a vegan product and not one of them noticed until they'd cleared their plates and I told them ! It has a very similar taste and texture to our classic pasta sauce so if you're looking for a simple meat-free meal, you could do a lot worse. Available in Sainsbury's.
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Knorr Beef Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are great for tossing into casseroles, gravy, soups or any other dishes that need a quick hit of beefiness. Made with slow cooked beef and gluten-free ingredients, they are a fuss-free way of ramping up the richness and flavour of your dishes. They're a timesaver for busy cooks and so simple to use. Available in all major supermarket chains.
Rubies in the Rubble Vegan Garlic Mayo (RRP £3) is another product from the range from which we discovered the ketchup a few boxes ago. Continuing in the idea of reducing food waste, the vegan-friendly product is made using aquafaba, a plant-based alternative to eggs that is usually thrown away. It is creamy with a great taste and texture, perfect for slapping in a sandwich, in potato salad or on the side of the plate. It is the well-deserved winner of a Great Taste award. Available at Ocado, Waitrose and Co Op.
Swizzels Curious Chews (RRP £1.25) is a fabulous pack that contains many Swizzels favourites such as Original Drumstick, Lemon Refresher, Sour Apple Refresher, PUDS and Fudg-eee. What's not to like? You get 18 chews in a bag which is a decent number for the price. They're all vegan-friendly and contain no artificial colours. Perfect for the kids to spend their pocket money on. Available in all major supermarkets.
Finally, Hip Pop Living Soda Tropical Peach (RRP £1.70) is an award-winning soda that surprised me on a number of levels. It is low in both sugar and calories. It contains 100% natural ingredients, including a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and live cultures to help support gut health. It is prebiotic and has won a Great Taste award. I was slightly dubious when reading about the vinegar but it tastes great with a delicious peach flavour. Available in selected M&S stores and at drinkhippop.com.
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.
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