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Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – December 2015

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseJan 8, 2016 | 12 comments

UniversalYums-December-2015-Box

Universal Yums
4.3 overall rating
43 Ratings | 33 Reviews

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

UniversalYums-December-2015-Flag

This month’s snacks are from Great Britain! I’m very impressed with the tissue paper flag in this box. Way to go, Universal Yums!

UniversalYums-December-2015-Inside

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

UniversalYums-December-2015-Contents

The Subscription Box: Universal Yums

The Cost: $13/month for the Yum Box (6+ snacks) and $25/month for the Yum Yum Box (13+ snacks). (Note that this is a review of the Yum Yum Box.)

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

Ships to: US & Canada (Canadian shipping is extra.)

Check out all of our reviews of Universal Yums!

UniversalYums-December-2015-Card

Universal Yums includes a booklet that lists all of the items in the box!

UniversalYums-December-2015-CardInside

They also detail the ingredients of each item on their website.

UniversalYums-December-2015-Walkers

Walkers Tomato Ketchup Crisps

I lived in Britain for several years (and my husband is British), so December’s box was a joy to unpack. Many of the items elicited shrieks of delight and excited hand clapping. This was the first item we pulled from the box, and I don’t think a British food box would be complete without at least one packet of crisps! The Brits are famous for the odd chip flavors, and Tomato Ketchup is probably one of their tamer flavors. (Many chips have meaty or seafood flavors.) I like to dip my chips in ketchup (a habit my husband despises), so this flavor was always a favorite of mine. I claimed them immediately.

Salt & Vinegar Hula Hoops

Hula Hoops, on the other hand, are one of my husband’s all-time favorite snack foods. They’re crunchy, circular, potato-y rings, and they come in a number of different flavors.
Salt and vinegar is one of his favorites!

UniversalYums-December-2015-Tayto

Cheese & Onion Tayto Crisps

Cheese & Onion is a popular flavor combination in Britain, and it’s really delicious. The onion flavor is a little stronger than our sour cream & onion chips, though, so be wary about eating them before an important meeting or a big date!

KP Skips Tingly Prawn Cocktail

Prawn Cocktail is another flavor commonly found in British snacks, and my husband goes nuts for it. Skips are like miniature Prawn Crackers- crunchy and with a flavor that’s more “savory” than “fishy.”

UniversalYums-December-2015-Meanies

KP Meanies Pickled Onion

KP Meanies are new to me. Universal Yums describes them as having a “slightly sour pickled flavor and a strong onion taste,” so they’re not exactly for the faint of heart. You’ve got to admit that Brits are killing it in the salty snack department. Their range of unique flavors never ceases to amaze me!

Fry's Turkish Delight

I LOVE rose-flavored candy, so Turkish Delight has always been a favorite treat of mine. This version from Fry’s is covered in chocolate (whereas real Turkish delight isn’t), but I think it’s a tasty addition.

Jammie Dodgers

According to Universal Yums, in Britain, Jammie Dodgers are the #1 selling biscuit for kids. They’re made up sweet raspberry jam that’s sandwiched between two shortbread cookies. Fun fact: they’re also one of Dr. Who's favorite snacks!

UniversalYums-December-2015-Jaffa

Jaffa Cakes

Jaffa Cakes are spongy treats that are topped with orange jelly and covered in melted chocolate. Back in 1991, Jaffa Cakes went to court to defend their classification as a “cake” over a “cookie.” Apparently, chocolate covered cookies in Britain are subject to an extra tax, while cakes aren’t. After a heated legal battle, Jaffa Cakes won the case. So, don’t call them cookies lol!

Nestle Caramac Bar

Nestle Caramac Bars look just like regular chocolate bars, except that they’re made entirely of caramel! As someone who prefers non-chocolate treats, I think this is a genius invention! It’s sweet, smooth, and creamy.

Swizzles Matlow Drumstick Bar

This chewy bar is flavored with milk and raspberries, so it’s creamy, sweet, and a little chewy. It’s delicious!

UniversalYums-December-2015-Chewits

Blackcurrant Chew-Its

It’s funny that certain countries have different default flavors for different colored candies. For example, in the US purple candy is almost always flavored with grape, whereas in Britain purple candies are typically blackcurrant. Grape was always one of my least favorite candy flavors, so bring on the blackcurrant, I say! Chew-It’s remind me a little of Starburst. I’m a big fan.

Walkers Nonsuch English Creamy Toffees

Treacle Toffees are made with whole milk, butter, and molasses, and I think they’re great. The flavor is rich and creamy.

Oatfield Clove Drops

These drops are made by the oldest candy manufacturer in Ireland, and the clove flavor has a bit of an old-fashioned appeal. It’s strong and unusual and, as Universal Yums points out, a great way to banish bad breath.

UniversalYums-December-2015-Next

On the back of the information card, Universal Yums provides a clue to the next month’s destination. What do you think about the clue? I’m thinking Turkey!

Verdict: This box from Universal Yums was an absolute delight. It was so much fun getting a box full of British snacks, and, for my husband, kind of like getting a care package from home! I think Universal Yums does a great job of curating treats from a different country each month, and I have so much fun discovering new foods from around the world. I’m looking forward to next month’s box- I have no idea what what to expect from Turkish snacks. It’ll be fun to see what’s included!

What do you think of this month’s Universal Yums box? Did you enjoy your box of British snacks?

Starting at $16.00
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Universal Yums is a monthly snack subscription box that delivers a variety of international snacks from all around the world. Each delivery brings an unforgettable experience that mixes the fun of food, travel, and learning in one tasty box!

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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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12 comments

ceb104

I just signed up for the smaller box. I hope it’s as exciting as the larger selection. Has anyone upgraded after a month or two in? Is it easy to do?

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Jen

I recently saw an Irish Youtuber talking about those Tayto chips! And she makes a sandwich out of mostly them lol, sounds delicious!

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nursermk

Lindsey another great review! I love that you and your husband know some of these snacks and can speak about the background, etc. I will probably break down and subscribe to this one, you always seem to have so much fun with it!

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Tillia

And YES!…Another hit for UY! I have had this box from the beginning and have enjoyed my monthly taste travels so much. It is so much fun to try things from other Countries. For those that think the cost is more than the value, think again. How could you possibly find it less expensive to search and shop for a complete box full of food items to try from one specific Country every month on your own? This is a fantastic service AND product combined at a completely reasonable price in my opinion.
Keep the taste travels coming UY!

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Name *

This box looks amazing! I wonder if the Meanies are in some way related to Monster Munch, sooo good.

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Ariana

We ordered this for the first time in December as a “family treat.” We were happy to see the UK was the box! I loved the Skips the most. My husband was not a fan of a lot of it.

We definitely didn’t like the clove candies or the Turkish Delight (I had such high hopes!!!).

The hint is totally Turkey. They have flat out said it is Turkey on their FB and instagram pages! Can’t wait!

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Lynsey Betz

That’s about $13 worth of snacks right there

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Ariana

If you’re worried about the cost, it’s about the experience and the fact you get some treats/snacks from another country – things that you’d have to search hard for. We get the “Yum Yum” box (which is the full-sized box). It’s not a terrible deal when they’re shipping you something like this priority.

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Laura

I want to order this but I want This box :). I like all things British

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Beatrice Lawson

It was our first Yum’s box – I got it as a present for my son and we loved it!! (He generously shared…) It was funny how we each discovered somethings we really liked – my faves were the Walkers treats and I can hardly wait to get to London this summer to load up. My son adored the pickled onions, I liked the shrimp flavoured chips, husband liked the ketchup flavour. We inhaled the Jammy dodgers and will buy them again in London for sure. I really liked the Jaffas too, and since we only have a few little candies left and the box was opened on Christmas day we think it was a huge success, much better than some of our other boxes. (We are new to the box game:-) Also loved the fact that unlike others, it arrived in plenty of time to go under the tree, so highly recommend this company.

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Dea

I used to live there. Man, I miss Hula Hoops. Wish I could get them here. The other British heaven-on-earth treat is a chocolate box called Black Magic.

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Ragan

They have Hula Hoops at my local Whole Foods in that small section of shelf with other British imports.

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