Some time amidst all of the madness of Christmas I took delivery of the December Degustabox* which was rammed full of new treats to try out. I’m a little late with posting my review, the last few weeks have been quite busy and my procrastination game has been strong, but here I am with my thoughts on the last box of 2016 as well as a hefty discount for anyone wishing to give this foodie subscription a whirl.

For those who don’t know Degustabox is a monthly subscription box filled with 10-15 food/drink products, most of which are brand new to the market so it’s a great way to try things out. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this.

Introductions over and it’s on to the contents…

First up are these Bahlsen Akora biscuits, a traditional German heart-shaped lebkuchen. Spiced jam filling, soft gingerbread and signature chocolate are combined to make one of my favourite festive treats. I’ve loved lebkuchen for as long as I can remember and this is up there with some of the best I’ve had. Sadly only available at Christmas but at £1.99 a bag it’s well worth stocking up on when you can.

It took me a while to get my head around this snack from Bite+. Essentially a savoury cereal each pack contains two servings with an RRP of £1.69. It comes in an assortment of flavours and are high fibre, low fat and packed with taste. Once I got my head around the fact that these were a snack and not some strange alternative to cornflakes I broke in to my pack and really enjoyed them.

This apple and cinnamon fudge from Oh Fudge was delicious- creamy and rich with an apple and cinnamon flavour that was perfect for this time of year. I don’t have the exact price information to hand but a quick google suggests this goes for around £3.50 a box which for the size of it isn’t bad at all. The packaging is gorgeous too so would make for a lovely gift.

Quick meals are my thing and what’s more comforting than a steaming bowl of risotto? This rich four cheese risotto from Gallo and risotto box with cheese and vegetables both cook wonderfully in the microwave and make for the ultimate comfort food dinner in minutes. The pouch costs £2.29 and the box £2.00 (perfect for a work day lunch).

I think Hoots is such a cool name for a snack! These are baked multigrain snacks designed to be an alternative to crisps. I especially enjoyed the salt & pepper flavour (I wish more things came in that flavour to be honest) and at £0.69 per pack they are pretty good value. Also suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

Maggi 3 minute noodles (£0.75) make for another quick and easy meal. The chicken flavour is pretty decent and being ready in only three minutes they appeal to my impatient nature. They are also available in beef and curry flavours and would make a good desk drawer emergency lunch.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and whilst I am a creature of habit with what I choose (porridge and toast usually) I can be tempted in to trying something different from time to time. Nutri-Brex gluten free coconut and crispy rice are similar to weetabix in principle and really tasty especially with hot milk. At £3.79 I wouldn’t pay full price for them but would pick up a box or two if I saw them on offer.

I’m not much of a soft drinks person myself but do like to keep a few bottles of something in for when guests pop round. The alcohol free wine by Eisberg (£1.39) is ideal for drivers or those watching their weight. Made in the same way as normal wine but with the alcohol gently removed this has only 28kcal per 125ml serving. Also included was Newton’s Appl Fizzics (£1.29). This is a blend of apple juice and sparkling water which is all natural with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Crisp and refreshing even I enjoyed this!

Finally on the drinks front we have some What A Melon watermelon juice (£2.00) which I admit I am yet to try. This claims to be hydrating like coconut water but with extra anti-oxidants and amino acids. It sounds lovely I’ll admit so I’ll be sure to give it a go soon! the a2 milk (£1.39) is a long life cow’s milk which is free from the a1 protein that can trigger symptoms associated with lactose intolerance (although it isn’t suitable for anyone with a cow’s milk protein allergy). There’s not much I can say about this, it tastes like milk but has added benefits. Useful to have in as a stand-by!

If I’ve tempted you to treat yourself to a Degustabox subscription then you can claim a brilliant £7.00 discount off of your first box with the code 6HZJ8 making it only £5.99. I’d love to know if you do sign up and what your thoughts are! I look forward to getting my box every month as it’s a great way to try out new things that I’d otherwise overlook or never otherwise find.

Degustabox provided for review purposes, all opinions and reviews are my own.