Harvest Subscription Box Review – Spring 2015

Harvest is a brand new subscription that sends a quarterly crate of artisan foods direct from California wine country.

Harvest kindly sent me this crate to review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

The Subscription Box: Harvest

The Cost: $99 per quarterly shipment

The Products: 6-8 seasonal, artisan products from responsible producers in California Wine Country.

Ships to: US

Check out the Food Subscription Box Directory for more food boxes!

Pressed flowers were included in the box (such a lovely touch!) along with an info card listing this quarter’s featured products.

Harvest includes a signature wooden crate in one on their four annual shipments. Quarterly subscribers will receive a crate in their fourth shipment, while annual subscribers will receive a crate in their first shipment. (Note that there is no price discount for an annual subscription.)

Olio Nuovo by The Olive Press- value $19?

I couldn’t find this bottle for sale on The Olive Press website, so I’m estimating the price based on other bottles that are the same size. Usually, when a product isn’t available online, I wonder if it’s old or discontinued. Not in this case, though. On the back of the bottle, the label lists the harvest and use by date:

I think this is such a nice touch.

Olio Nouvo is an extremely young olive oil that captures the essence of just-crushed olives. Its fresh, grassy flavor makes it a great finishing oil. Harvest recommends drizzling it over steak, pasta, or a slice of freshly baked bread.

Orange Shrub by Hurley Farms (6 fl. Oz)- value $8

Shrubs are vinegary syrups that are often used in cocktails. I really like cocktails made with shrubs; I think the addition of vinegar helps produce a fruity drink that isn’t too sweet. Harvest also recommends mixing this shrub with carbonated water or drizzling it over a salad.

Toasted Shallot Dark Beer Mustard by Oliver Napa Valley (8 oz)- value $7.50

This stone ground mustard is made with quality herbs and spices and beer from St Helena’s Silverado Brewing Company. It’s delicious, flavorful mustard that I think would be great on a pretzel roll sandwich.

Napa Valley Wildflower Honey by Marshall's Farm (3 oz)- value $5

This is a delicate honey that Harvest says is cherished by locals and restaurateurs. It’s unheated, unfiltered, raw, and absolutely delicious.

Special Select Dry Monterey Jack Cheese from Vella Cheese Co. (8 oz.)- value $7.50

I’ve never had Dry Monterey Jack before, so I was very excited to give this a try. It’s aged for a minimum of one year, which gives it a texture similar to Parmigiano Reggiano. It has also won numerous medals from state fairs and dairy competitions, and I can see why. I thought it was bursting with flavor, and I really liked the nutty flavor and firm, almost crumbly texture.

Uncured Salami from Zoe's Meats (8 oz.)- value $10

This salami is made with garlic, pepper, sherry, and no artificial ingredients. I love salami, and I thought this was an excellent product that would be delicious on pizza or eaten on its own as part of a cheese board. I sampled it alongside Vella’s Dry Monterey Jack and thought they paired together really well.

Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies from Rustic Bakery (4 oz)- value $6.95

I really like shortbread cookies, and I thought these were delicious. Harvest recommends serving them with sliced strawberries and whipped cream for a perfect spring dessert.

Cranberry Pan Forte Crostini by Rustic Bakery (4 oz.)- value $7.95

Part of me was disappointed to see two products from the same company included in the crate (I tend to believe that more variety is always better); however, I loved the sound of these crostini and was very excited to try them. They were fantastic- crispy, sweet, and savory. I also loved the addition of rosemary. Like the salami, these paired beautifully with the cheese.

Verdict: I thought this first Harvest crate was very well done. The packaging felt luxe and the curation of the products was excellent. Everything I tried was delicious, and I loved that I was able to sample the crostini, salami, and cheese together and that they paired really well. The value totals $72, which falls short of the cost of the box. I would definitely like to see the value improve in future boxes, but I think it’s important to point out that it’s not uncommon for high-end food boxes to have value that’s less than the cost of the box. On their website, Harvest mentions that they plan to include wine in future boxes (a great idea, I think), so I’m excited to see how future boxes shape up.

What do you think of Harvest’s spring crate?