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Universal Yums Subscription Box Review – February 2016

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseFeb 20, 2016 | 11 comments

UniversalYums-February-2016-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-February-2016-Inside

This month’s snacks are from France! (What a perfect pick for a Valentine’s Day box!!)

UniversalYums-February-2016-Flag

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

UniversalYums-February-2016-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 Universal Yums reviews and the Food Subscription Box Directory!

UniversalYums-February-2016-Card

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

UniversalYums-February-2016-CardInside1

The booklet includes trivia, fables, a recipe, and other fun French info.

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Universal Yums also details the ingredients of each item on their website.

UniversalYums-February-2016-Crepe

Ker Cadelac Palets (125 g.)- $3.50

These cookies are no doubt, hands down my favorite item Universal Yums has EVER sent. They have a crunchy texture, similar to shortbread, and the buttery flavor is fantastic. My husband and I taste tested these cookies with tea, and I had to literally get up and move the box across the room to prevent us from eating the entire thing in one sitting.

Dark Chocolate Crepe Dentelle (3.17 oz.)- $4.25

The Crepe Dentelles were another major hit. I sampled the non-chocolate version in Yummy Bazaar’s November Full Experience Box, and, while those were delicious, this chocolate-dipped version is even better! They’re crispy, flaky, and rich.

UniversalYums-February-2016-Fromage

Rochambeau Snacks Fromage

Rochambeau’s cheese balls were an absolute treat. My husband described them as “classy cheesy poofs,” which I thought was sweet and totally appropriate.

St Michel Madeleines (2.99 oz.)- $5.16

Madeleines are traditional French cakes that are small and soft. They’re often flavored with nuts or lemon zest, but Yummy Bazaar opted to include a buttery version. I love madeleines (and I couldn’t imagine a French box without them!), but I think these are just okay. They have a little bit of a “packaged” flavor, I think.

UniversalYums-February-2016-Nougat

Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares (1.18 oz.)- $2.33

Michel and Augustin are childhood friends who describe themselves as “two kooky cookies.” They make a variety of different squares, and these Lemon Meringue Cookies consist of lemon ganache and meringue pieces on a buttery base. For anyone interested in trying them, according to the website they’re available in Starbucks across the US.

Chabert & Guillot Nougat (1.05 oz.)- $2.95

Montelimar, a small town in southern France, is famous for gourmet nougat-making. (It was even referenced in the Beatles’ song, “Savoy Truffle.”) This authentic Montelimar nougat is made with honey, pistachios, almonds, and whipped egg whites.

UniversalYums-February-2016-Pastilles

Rose Pastilles (.4 oz.)- $3.99

I have vivid memories of eating rose pastilles as a kid, so these bring back a lot of memories. (I think I first picked some up at the French gift shop at Epcot!) These are delicious, but the dominant flavor is licorice, not rose. Not that that’s a bad thing! I like them a lot.

Pierrot Gourmand Fruit Lollipops (2 lollipops)- $.44

These fruity lollipops have been around since the 1900’s! Subscribers will receive two of the following flavors: sweet lemon, citrus orange, fresh raspberry, or tart cherry. I think I received orange and raspberry. Both were great!

UniversalYums-February-2016-Candy

Lutti Magnificat Caramels (4 pieces)- $1.50?

Caramels pop up pretty often in Universal Yums boxes (I think it’s one of the true universal sweets!), but these are something special. They’re made with French butter, whole milk, and creme fraiche, and the flavor is rich, creamy, and delicious.

Carambar (4 pieces)- $1.81

Carambar is another caramel candy, but it’s a little different than the Magnificat. The sticks are firmer and made with a touch of cocoa powder. The candy hardens when it’s cold, so Universal Yums recommends heating up the bars in the microwave for 5-10 seconds if they’re too tough. 

Liquicroc Caramel Dragees (4 pieces)- $2?

These chocolate candies are filled with an utterly delicious salted caramel filling. They’re definitely my favorite new French candy discovery!

Malabar Bubble Gum (4 pieces)- $2.80

While I’m a big fan of most of this month’s French candy, I really wasn’t a fan of this gum. It’s cotton candy flavored, which isn’t my favorite, unfortunately. Still, the texture’s good, and I like that each piece comes with a temporary tattoo.

UniversalYums-February-2016-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? It sounds like The Philippines to me!

Verdict: This is one of my favorite boxes EVER from Universal Yums! The butter cookies and chocolate crepes were both fantastic, and I really liked all of the candy, too. My only complaint is that this box feels a little lighter than some of the previous Yum Yum boxes, but, based on the prices I found online, the value seems to be pretty good. I love that France was the featured country this month (it seems like an appropriate pick for Valentine’s Day!), and I can’t wait to see what next month’s box will bring!

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

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!

You won’t have to worry about forgetting your p... 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. 


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11 comments

Thea

I’m a Filipina and I can’t wait to se your reviee next month!!! 🙂

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sylvia

this was my first subscription box ever. i chose it based on the previous reviews here and have to say you guided me well. i really liked this box and will try next month’s free. i like how the packages are small, so you can try a variety of products without paying a lot of money on a regular package of something you might not like. plus, there were products in here i’d never heard of and definitely would not have come across otherwise. The LiquiCroc Chocolate Dragées were nothing like I’ve had before; so delicious. The Loc Maria Dark Chocolate Crepe Dentelles were a great take on a wonderful Japanese treat that is hard to find, Bourbon Crispy Crepes. The Chabert & Guillot Nougat Bar
was even better than the Italian Nougat La Florentine! I ended up enjoying all but two of the products, which my friend’s were more than happy to receive.

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Tillia

I love this box and this month was lots of fun as usual. But I am clueless trying to figure out where next months visit will be! I never throw out anything..I try it all. Sure some things are not for me but so many times I find the items I think I won’t like, I end up loving and wanting more!

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nursermk

I think of the Philippines when I read “7000 islands”, unless someone has a better guess?

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Ariana

We have subscribed for 3 months, and haven’t been impressed.
I think I figured out that processed food isn’t how we eat, so this box doesn’t work for us. Plus we have access to a great variety of food here in the Bay Area, so this box isn’t anything special.

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Tamara

Oh my, I think I need to get this box. Is it still available?

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Lindsey

I believe if you sign up today your first box will be the March box; however, if you’re interested in February’s, I’d suggest emailing Universal Yums to see if they have any left. They might be able to help you out! You can reach them at [email protected]

Good luck! 🙂

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Tamara

Thanks so much! 😀

Cindy

Lindsay, I have a question about the tart recipe from the November Hamptons Lane box. Can you assist? It doesn’t seem like you are notified of the latest comments after this long.

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Lindsey

Hi Cindy! I just checked the comments on the November Hamptons Lane Box. You’re looking for the Sweet Orange Ricotta Tart recipe, right? If so, it’s posted on the Hamptons Lane website. If you click on my name, it should take you to the correct page. Just scroll down to the bottom for the recipes. Hope that helps! 🙂

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Mary K

I don’t subscribe to this anymore after I found I was throwing stuff out nobody in my family would eat, but I do try to pick up ones that are in my favorite regions (so thanks for always including the clue to next month’s box, Lindsey — very helpful!). I love all things French, so I jumped on this and, like you, thought it was one of UY’s best! My favorite was the box of those delicate chocolate-dipped cookies. I’d had a similar version before when a friend gifted me with a “cookies from around the world” box (not a subscription unfortunately, lol). They are so delicious and have such a great “mouthfeel.” My son liked the lollipops and bubblegum, so everyone was happy. 🙂

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