Facebook PixelMantry Subscription Box Review – August 2015 | MSA
My Subscription Addiction
My Subscription Addiction
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Mantry Subscription Box Review – August 2015

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseSep 12, 2015 | 5 comments

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Box

Mantry
4.2 overall rating
43 Ratings | 2 Reviews

Mantry is a subscription box that describes itself as “the modern man’s pantry.”

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Crate

Each month they ship gourmet food items in their signature wooden crate.

Mantry sent me this box for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Contents

The Subscription Box: Mantry

The Cost: $75

The Products: Artisan foods for the modern man’s pantry.

Ships to: US only.

Check out all of our Mantry reviews and the Food Subscription Box Directory!

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Card

This month’s theme is “American Desert.”

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - FoldOut1

Each box comes with a fold out card detailing the producers behind the food included and where in the country they’re based.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Curator

This box also includes a note from Mantry’s curator.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Cactus

Cactus Candy (8 oz.)- $7.95

Cactus Candy is flavored with prickly pear fruit, which is something I don’t see very often here on the east coast. The flavor of the candy is delicate and delicious, and I like the soft, gummy consistency, too. The packaging is a lot of fun, but I can’t stop starting at the happy little cactus guy. Is it just me, or does he have only one eye? Cute AND a little scary!

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Tea

Juniper Ridge White Sage and Wild Mint Tea (1.4 oz.)- $13

The packaging of this tea is beautiful, and White Sage and Wild Mint is exactly the kind of flavor combination I love.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Pistachios

Heart of the Desert Garlic and Green Chile Pistachios (8 oz.)- $5.95

I’m a fan of pistachios, and my husband is obsessed with them. We agree that these have great flavor. I love the burlap container, too.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Pancake

Santa Fe Culinaria Blue Corn Pancake Mix (15 oz.)- $5.20

About once every two months, my husband and I have a “breakfast for dinner night.” Pancakes are usually the focus, so I’m going to save this mix for our next meal. Mantry recommends topping these pancakes with peaches and honey, and I think that sounds fantastic. If I’m feeling adventurous, I might even try serving them with some homemade tequila caramel sauce.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Machaca

People's Choice Beef Jerky Machaca (2.5 oz.)- $4.50

The consistency of this jerky is unlike anything I’ve seen before. The meat is shredded to a fine consistency, making it kind of like the pulled pork of the jerky world. It can be eaten directly from the package, but I think it might be better incorporated into another recipe. Mantry recommends using it in Huevos con Machaca Burritos.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - Chile

Santa Fe Ole Roasted New Mexico Green Chile (1 lb.)- $5.80

Chilis from the Hatch Valley have something of a cult following, and they’re widely sought after throughout the US. Apparently, the valley’s unique terroir contributes to the flavors of the chilis grown there, which sets them apart from similar crops grown elsewhere. Santa Fe Ole roasts and salts these famed chilis before zesting them with lime. I snuck a taste of this sauce, and I’m very impressed. It’s delicious!

I received this box much later than usual, and I haven’t yet had a chance to try out August’s recipes. I’ll definitely be making a couple of them when I get a chance, though. Mantry’s recipe for Wild Mint Julep Paletas looks especially tempting.

Mantry Subscription Box Review August 2015 - PaletasRecipe

I love the idea of making a Mint Julep (popsicle, in this case) with mint tea!

Verdict: Mantry does a great job curating boxes around a theme. This American Desert box introduced me to some really fun and delicious new products, and I think they all perfectly represent the Southwestern theme. I especially like the cactus candy- what a fun and unusual treat! This month’s products have a combined value of just over $42. Mantry isn’t a high-value subscription (I don’t think I’ve ever received a box where the value of the products meets or exceeds the cost of the box), but this month’s value is even lower than usual. I hope to see the value improve next month because I think this month’s value is a bit too low to justify the $75 cost.

What do you think of this month’s box from Mantry?

Starting at $225.00
Active Deal
Use code CRATE10 to get 10% off your first box
Use Coupon Code CRATE10
Subscribe Now
Mantry helps you create "The Modern Man's Pantry". This bi-monthly food subscription box contains 5-6 full-size premium food products from artisans across the US.

The products packed into each wooden Mantry crate have been painstakingly curated around different monthly themes (like "Ba... read more.
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. 


Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

5 comments

Jennifer

The Machaca is very common in Mexican/Mexican-American communities. I grew up calling it Machacado and having it mixed with eggs and salsa for a breakfast taco. You can definitely see a Southwest theme with these items. I think I might have to track down that blue corn pancake mix.

Reply ButtonReply

Jamdin

The People’s Choice Beef Jerky Machaca reminds me of Jerky Chew sold in small round cans like chewing tobacco.

Reply ButtonReply

misha

I think the cactus man on the candy box is wearing cactus sunglasses with one side on the glasses pulled down.

Reply ButtonReply

Saffy

I can never justify Mantry because the price is so ridiculous compared to actual value. Yes, the products are interesting but getting $42 worth of product for a $75 box will never be acceptable.

Reply ButtonReply

nursermk

Yes, I agree, though the items are very interesting and they obviously do a good job of finding unique inclusions, I assume they are getting a discount buying wholesale and should make more of an effort to bring the value up near the cost of the box. I don’t mind someone making a little profit but this is bordering on gouging the customer!

Reply ButtonReply