Food and Drink: Flavrbox Review 2014

IMG_9307

I hope you’re all having a good week! Tonight I’m here to talk to you about the Flavrbox. I reviewed one of these last year and the team got in contact again to see if I’d like another as a special Christmas treat,  thanks guys! Once again I enjoyed the box of goodies so much that I wanted to share it with you.

First off, what is the Flavrbox? Well it’s a monthly subscription service where you get a monthly or quarterly box of foodie treats. You have the choice of a regular or vegetarian box and the option of viewing the box beforehand if you wish. I’ve always found food hampers to make for a fun, useful and delicious Christmas or birthday treat.

IMG_9326

 

This year the box was filled with tea, chocolate, marshmallows, wheat snacks, a voucher and gourmet salt. I’ve enjoyed everything in the box this month and I’m sure I’ll be buying another one during 2015.

IMG_9331

IMG_9369

 

Seggiano: Organic Chilli Brigantini – These were interesting little wheat flour snacks, nothing like I’d tasted before. To me these snacks are somewhere between crisps and breadsticks and they have a real kick of chilli to them which I liked. They go down very well (a little too well) with a big glass of crisp white wine.

Antonella and her husband, Moreno make these hand-rolled snacks in the hear of Maremma (Tuscany).

IMG_9344

IMG_9360

 

The London Marshmallow Company: The Kensington – I’d never tried a gourmet marshmallow before so this was a real treat. The flavour of The Kensington is french almond and sour cherry. Gadgetoid and I both loved these delicious pillowy marshmallows, they are full of flavour and tasted very luxurious.

The London Marshmallow Company started back in 2011 when Ross and Amy decided to make homemade marshmallows as Christmas presents. 

IMG_9362

Gourmet Salt: Danish Oak Smoked Flakes – Ok, call me a bit of a hipster but I’m a real sucker for fancy salt. I actually blame it all on Flavrbox because last year I found this salt in my box and absolutely loved it. I’ve since tried various fancy salts and now Flavrbox has introduced me to another new brand.

This packet of chemical free and natural salt from Gourmet Salt is a lovely copper shade but the photo doesn’t really show it off too well. The salt has a smoky scent and so far I’ve tried it with my Sunday morning eggs and on salmon. It really added a salty and peppery kick to these dishes and I’m keen to using it more within cooking. I think items like this make for good gifts as they’re not something you would naturally go out and buy until you’ve tried them.

Gourmet Salt started out selling Pink Himalayan salt because of its health benefits. They quickly diversified into the wide variety of chemical free salts that you can see over on their site.

IMG_9380

 

Hello Fresh voucher – I’ve not had chance to use this generous voucher yet but I’m really looking forward to it. Each week a box of recipes and fresh ingredients is delivered to you door and all that is left is for you to cook the meal. Both Gadgetoid and I work long days so the idea of having all the right ingredients for a delicious home cooked meal would save a lot of time walking to and from Waitrose.

IMG_9393

 The Tea People: Choco Mint Rooibos – I haven’t tried a tea quite like this before. In the packet and whilst it’s brewing it has a strong scent of chocolate and peppermint, it really is lovely. When you sip the tea the peppermint, chocolate and rooibos are all fighting for attention and it’s really quite special. This may sound strange but the tea is both warming and refreshing at the same time due to the rooibos and peppermint. It’s perfect to have at the end of the evening. I’ve enjoyed drinking this tea black, it doesn’t need anything adding to it. I’ll be sure to repurchase it in the new year.

The Tea People: Desi Masala Chai – This is a premium Assam black tea which is blended with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. It smells wonderful within the packet and I could easily detect the cardamom and cinnamon. I love spices in everything so this tea was right up my street. I’ve enjoyed drinking this tea black but Gadgetoid prefers it with a dash of milk and sugar.

Tea People put 50% of their net profits towards educational development in Darjeeling. 

IMG_9667

IMG_9665

Paxton Chocolate: Orange & Earl Grey Giant Thin – I was very intrigued by this chocolate. I love thin chocolate, I think it’s why I like Easter Eggs so much. This was a large disc, about the size of my hand with a beautiful print upon it. The chocolate had a very strong taste of orange with a hint of early grey. I’d have liked the earl grey to be a little stronger but as I’m a big fan of orange this didn’t last long. I was very pleased to find this in my Flavrbox and it would make a unique gift birthday or Christmas gift.

Paxton Chocolate focus on creating an experience with their chocolate.

Overall I was very happy with this month’s Flavrbox. There were lots of new brands for me to try and many of the products were easily shared when friends visited. I’m going to get ’round to signing up for this as a quarterly treat in the new year. I’ve been pushing most of my spare money into Indiecana for a few months now, I deserve a little treat soon.

Have you ever tried a Flavrbox?