Just in time for Halloween (which was the theme for this month's box), the postie dropped off the latest Degustabox. As it was half term, the Madhouse kids were at home and crowded around to see what would be hiding inside. As soon as I peeled away the paper, we could see some well-known brands and snacks that they immediately wanted to sample.
But first I had to fight them off while I arranged everything for a photo ! This month has a great mix of family faves and a few more exotic offerings. Here's the lowdown of what was in this month's box.
Perfect for Halloween, Pechkeks Misfortune Cookie (£1.50) is a gothic-looking black fortune cookie, with an equally black sense of humour that is sure to delight teenagers and adults. Forget the cutesy, optimistic messages that you find in regular fortune cookies - these ones will cut you down to size with their sarcasm. Taste wise, they are just like regular fortune cookies. Great fun for a laugh at the end of a meal, but it's a shame they are so expensive.
After the tricks, it's time for the treats ! Starting with Vimto Millions Gift Jar (£2.99). These are lovely. We love the Vimto flavour and the fact that each tiny sweet packs in so much taste. The only bad thing is, the kids eat them by the handful so they won't last long !
Nuttvia Breadsticks Snackpack (£1.70) offers a new twist on a much-loved concept. The Madhouse kids are big fans of the snack pots with breadsticks to dip in a side serving of chocolate hazelnut spread. This one contains 97% less sugar and no palm oil so it's a healthier choice than the big brand favourite, but it's just as delicious and equally sweet.
Michel & Augustin super cookie (£1.60) - As the packaging suggests, this is a genuine French brand that we were familiar with but not on this side of the Channel. They're made with real butter, free range eggs, milk chocolate and hazelnuts, with a soft centre. Utterly delicious and big enough to share.
Pip's Real Hot Chocolate Co Real Hot Chocolate Coins (£1.50) is a disc of genuine Belgian chocolate to melt in milk for a real, old-fashioned hot chocolate drink. (I think that's the most times I've ever said real in one sentence.) We've had these before but this time we got the Orange flavour one which was even more delicious. Feel free to add squirty cream and sprinkles for the ultimate decadent hot chocolate !
Moving on to the healthier options, there were several brands that we'd already discovered in previous Degustaboxes.
Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs (£2.29) didn't appeal to us the first time we read the label but they are delicious and taste just like regular crisp-type snacks, despite being healthier. They are beautifully light and crunchy but pack in more fibre and protein, as well as being suitable for vegans.
Pulsin Kids' Fruity Oat Bars Orange Choc Chip (59p) are another healthy choice. They are made with gluten-free UK oats, real fruit and natural ingredients so they are high in fibre, count towards your child's 5-a-day and contain 1/3 less sugar than the average kids' fruit snack. They're not bad but the kids weren't overly keen on the texture, finding them a bit dry. They will eat them but only when they've run out of other options in the snack box !
Lee Kum Kee Sauce for Garlic Tomato Prawns & Sauce for Honey Garlic Spare Ribs (2 x 85p) are perfect for speedy midweek suppers and, despite the name, can be used with all manner of meats and vegetables in stir fries, or even incorporated into dips, marinades and salad dressings. There was also a sachet of Lee Kum Kee Sweet Soy Sauce which is now a kitchen staple in our house - drizzle over a plate of noodles and stir fried veg and chicken (or whatever leftovers are in the fridge) and the kids will gobble it up in record time and ask for seconds !
Staying on the Oriental theme, Kabuto Noodles Thai Green Chicken Curry (£1.99) is basically a posh pot noodle - just add boiling water for a quick gluten-free rice noodle meal. I prefer adding them to fresh meat and vegetables in a stir fry than eating them directly out of the pot, but if you need to eat at work and only have a kettle handy, they'd be a convenient option.
Valfrutta Bulgur, Quinoa, Red Rice, Tomatoes & Green Olives (£2.29) is a brand new product line that Degustaboxers will be the first to try out in the UK - other products in the range include Cous Cous with Mixed Vegetables, Basmati Rice & Lentils and Spelt with Black Olives, Dried Tomatoes and Capers. Microwave for 1 minute or pan heat for 2-3 minutes as an original alternative to rice or pasta. Alternatively they can be eaten cold and added to salads. They're very convenient and versatile.
Undoubtedly the best known brand in the box, Heinz No Added Sugar Hoops (75p) are a nutritious and convenient option for family meal times that, surprisingly, count towards your 5 a day. They contain no added sugar but also no artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours.
After cutting out the sugar, Lo Salt (free gift sample) helps you cut down on the salt in your diet with 66% less sodium than table, rock and sea salts. It's just as versatile as regular salt and can be used in baking, cooking and seasoning without compromising on taste.
Feel Good Drinks Water Infusions (2 x £1.20) are both still drink options, which is great news for Juliette who doesn't like fizzy drinks. They're very refreshing and tasty and contain 100% natural ingredients - just water, fruit and natural flavourings.
There is absolutely nothing in this box that won't get eaten, although there are several products that I never would have bought, so it's a great way to try out brands and products that would have gone unnoticed otherwise.
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 gives you a whopping £7 off the price of your first box, so you'll get it for just £5.99 - just enter code 0BS6T 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.
