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Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseFeb 16, 2015 | 6 comments

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Box

Universal Yums is an international snack subscription box. Every month they send a mix of snacks from one country. (A different country is featured each month.)

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Inside

This month’s snacks are from Italy!

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Contents

The Subscription: Universal Yums

The Cost: $13/month for the Yum Box (6+ snacks) and $25/month for the Yum Yum Box (13+ snacks)

The Products: A selection of unique snacks from a different country each month.

Ships to: US

Check out all of our reviews of Universal Yums!

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Card

Every box contains an informational card detailing the featured items. They also list details and the ingredients of each item on their website.

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Bruschettini

Asturi Rosemary & Olive Oil Bruschettini- 4.23 oz, value $3.29

Nonni’s Biscotti in Cioccolati and Salted Caramel- 2 cookies, value $1.42

These bruschettini are crispy little crouton-like toasts. They are GMO and preservative free and made with high quality olive oil and fresh rosemary. 

They’re tasty on their own, but can also be used as a base for toppings like bruschetta or cheese.

Nonni’s Biscotti are delicious and something of a favorite in my family. We received them as a holiday gift a few years ago, and they inspired some pretty embarrassing behavior. (I may have stockpiled a secret stash for my own private consumption.) Needless to say, I’ve very happy to see them in this month’s Yum Yum box. The Salted Caramel flavor is new to me and probably my favorite of them all, though, admittedly, I’m a sucker for anything salty and sweet.

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Wafers

Balocco Crema Cacao Wafers- 6.17 oz, value $2.69

Di Nonna Lemon Pizzelle- about 10 cookies, value $2

Lazzaroni Amaretti Di Saronno- 2 cookies, value about $2

The Crema Cacao Wafers are crispy like the wafer cookies I’m used to from the US, but they are noticeably less sweet. Personally, I like desserts that aren’t super sugary, so I’m a fan of these. I think they’d be delicious with an espresso.

Unfortunately, the pizzelles got crushed en route to me, but I’m not surprised since they’re so delicate. My favorite pizzelles are those flavored with anise (the most traditional flavor) but these with lemon are nice too.

I love amaretti di Saronno cookies. They’re crispy, nicely spiced, and delicious with coffee. I also learned a new fun fact about them. According to the Universal Yums informational sheet, after you eat the cookie it’s traditional to twist the wrapper into a hollow cylinder, place it upright on a plate, make a wish, and light it on fire. If the wrapper floats all the way up to the ceiling, your wish will come true.

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Raffaello

G. Cova & C Crostatina Ciliegia- 1.41 oz, value $1.80

Perugina Baci- 2 chocolates, value $1.50

Ferrero Raffaello- 2 candies, value about $1

The informational sheet describes the crostinata as a “classier version of a pop-tart,” which made me chuckle a little, though it’s a pretty accurate description.

Both of these candies were really tasty. I’ve had the Ferrero Raffaello before (FYI the same company makes Ferrero Rocher) and they’re so decadent. They’re made with coconut, almonds, and a creamy, white ganache filling.  The Baci are hazelnut chocolates. Baci means “kisses” in Italian, and inside each wrapper is a little love note translated into one of seven languages.

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Pernigotti

Pernigotti Nocciogioie- 2 chocolates, value about $1

Pernigotti Classici- 2 chocolate, value about $1

Bye Bye Coffee N’ Cream and Frutta Bon Bons- 8 candies, value $.50?

Universal Yums included a lot of candy in this box, which is appropriate for the Italian theme, I think. Hazelnuts are a popular addition to chocolate in Italy, and both Pernigotti candies utilize them in some way. Each Nocciogioie enrobes two whole hazelnuts in milk chocolate and hazelnut cream, while the classici is a smooth chocolate candy made with gianduia (the generic name for Nutella). The Coffee N’ Cream Bon Bons are very small, coffee flavored hard candies. The fruit flavored bon bons are similar, but also have a liquid candy center. Both were pretty addicting to eat.

Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2015 Next

On the informational card, Universal Yums provides a clue to the country that will be featured in next month’s box. Which country do you think it will be? With the mention of fish head snacks, I have a suspicion it might be China.

Verdict: I really like the items Universal Yums selected for the Italy box. I think they included a good mix of snacks and candy, and I thought everything was really tasty. According to my value estimates, this box comes in right around $20. While this doesn’t meet the cost of the box, I think there’s added value in the curation of the products. I also really enjoyed the informational card. When Haley reviewed last month’s box, she said that the item descriptions made her feel like a friend was comparing the snacks to something she was already familiar with. I think that’s a great way of putting it. The items are all described in a simple, accessible way that keeps anything from feeling too exotic.

I also want to point out that it appears the price of the box has recently increased. The price of the larger Yum Yum Box is now $25 (the smaller, Yum box is now $13), whereas it was previously $20 (and the smaller box was $10).

What do think about the Italian treats from this month’s Universal Yums Box?

Lindsey Morse
Lindsey Morse

Lindsey is a professional baker, cold brew coffee addict, and rosé aficionado who loves writing about food and wine. When she’s not sharing her love of subscription boxes with the world, you’ll find her in the podcasting studio, perfecting her cake decorating techniques, or cursing her way through the New York Times daily crossword puzzle. 


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6 comments

gcc

I wish I would’ve gotten the Germany box! So disappointed I missed that one. I studied abroad there in high school and recognized many of the items and haven’t had them in years!

Totally not interested in China though…

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nana

This sounds very cool and I’ll consider subscribing after the China box. I don’t eat anything from China (or use Chinese skin/makeup products), as you can’t really trust what’s in them.

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Stella

The price increase was a promotion they were running, if you subbed by 12/1 your price for life of the sub was either 10 or 20 depending on what you chose. The 25/13 are the regular prices after the promo ended

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Lindsey

Thanks for clarifying, Stella! 🙂

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Linden Mary McGilloway

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these boxes! The Italy box will be my third box, and theirs, and I expect it tomorrow. Great way to experience food from different countries at an affordable price. The selections are great, the box is packed w/ colored tissue to match that countries colors and the information cards are very well done!

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CJ

I love Pizalle cookies, they taste like a waffle but in a thin cookie form.

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