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Mosaic Soups Review — Plant-Based Lunches That Are Quick & Easy

Lindsey Morse
ByLindsey MorseJul 25, 2022 | 5 comments
Mosaic Soups Review —  Plant-Based Lunches That Are Quick & Easy

My Mosaic Soups Review

Quick, Plant-Based Lunches for Busy People

Mosaic is a meal delivery service that specializes in plant-based meals that are quick, easy, and perfect for lunchtime. We've previously reviewed Mosaic's veggie bowls here at MSA, and the company recently added vegan soups to the menu, so I thought it might be fun to take a look at this new range of items. There are currently six different soups available, and I got to try them all. In this review, I'll take a look at what Mosaic is all about and give you my honest opinion on the new SOUP-er product range.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About Mosaic

The Cost: Soups cost $7.99 each. Shipping is free on orders over $100. For orders under $100, shipping costs $7.99.

Order Minimum: There is an order minimum of $70, which minimizes packaging waste and "helps keep delivery affordable."

What you'll get: 100% vegan, plant-based soups of your choice packed in recyclable packaging.

Ships to: According to their website, Mosaic currently ships within a 1-day radius of their Hudson Valley kitchen. This covers major cities like: New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, and surrounding areas. It's worth mentioning that they also ship to me in Louisiana, so either their shipping is super quick or they're expanding. Want to find out if your area is covered? Enter your zip code on Mosaic's website to find out.

Shipping Schedule

You can choose to receive meals every week, every two weeks, or every four weeks. Mosaic delivers their shipments via FedEx Ground. My delivery day is Wednesday. Depending on your location, your delivery day(s) may vary.

About Mosaic Soups

Before I dive into this review, I want to point out that Mosaic doesn't just sell soup. They also have veggie bowls and oat bowls on the menu. The soups are a new release, so I'm going to dedicate this space to exploring and tasting them; however, for a fuller picture of what Mosaic has to offer, I highly recommend checking out Emily's review of Mosaic's veggie bowls. Here's a sample of the available meals:

  • Cauliflower Cavatappi 'Alfredo' with Dairy-Free Alfredo, Purple Cauliflower, and Fava Beans
  • Mushroom & Truffle Risotto with Mushrooms, Fava Beans, Truffle Oil, and Oregano
  • Spinach Saag & Tofu with Spinach, Coconut Milk, Turmeric Tofu, and Basmati Rice
  • Tangy Thai Stir Fry with Rice Noodles, Tamarind Sauce, Tofu, Carrots, and Peanuts
  • Tuscan Pesto Bowl with Purple Cauliflower, Squash, and Avocado Pesto
  • Jerk Lentil Plaintain Bowl with Jerk Lentils, Basmati, Sweet Plantains, and Grilled Peppers
  • Chipotle Mango Burrito Bowl with Spanish Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Yellow Corn, and Black Beans
  • Butternut Squash Risotto with Kale, Pecans, Cranberry, and Autumn Spice
  • Coconut Chickpea Cury with Ginger, Pumpkin, Beluga Lentils, and Turmeric Cauliflower

But let's get back to the soup. All of the soups on Mosaic's menu are plant-based and 100% vegan. Each one contains 10+ grams of plant protein, is dairy-free, and provides between 250-500 calories. Most are gluten-free, too. While you can certainly eat them whenever you like, they're designed with lunch in mind. Each flavor is made with fresh ingredients and then shipped frozen. I was able to try the full range of products, and I'll talk about the different flavors in a minute.

Why Frozen?

Frozen food has a less than stellar reputation, but Mosaic wants to change that. They make a case that frozen meals can be healthy, convenient, and eco-friendly. Here's the argument:

Frozen Food Reduces Food Waste: 40% of food bought in the United States goes to waste. Frozen helps reduce that waste by extending shelf life, no preservatives required.

Freezing Preserves Nutrients: Freezing is like nature’s pause button. Frozen produce is often harvested at peak ripeness and frozen within hours to lock in vital nutrients.

Frozen Meals Expand Access: 90% of Americans don’t get their recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables — because eating well just isn’t convenient. Nutrient-rich frozen food can help.

This touches on issues that are pretty close to my heart. Personally, I struggle with limiting food waste in my home (I can be pretty terrible about ignoring certain items in my fridge until they're past their peak freshness), and I'm also prone to making unhealthy dinner choices when I'm busy. That said, I don't eat a lot of frozen food. I always keep a few proteins and meal starters in the freezer, but I really do prefer to eat fresh fruits and veggies when I can. But Mosaic's ethos made me wonder... is this due to genuine preference? Or do I hold some kind of deep-seated belief that frozen produce is less healthy? If I'm honest, I'm not sure.

Giving Back

I think it's worth mentioning that Mosaic's business model includes a charitable element. From their website:

40 million Americans struggle with hunger, including more than 12 million children. So we're chipping in to help.

For every Mosaic box sold, we work with the non-profit City Harvest to rescue 2 pounds of nutritious food and distribute it to New Yorkers in need.

I always appreciate when a company gives back, so I wanted to call this out for potential subscribers.

The Menu

Mosaic's soups are new, and at the time of writing there are 6 different varieties available:

  • Curried Lentil Soup
  • Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup
  • Ginger, Quinoa, & Veggie Soup
  • Tomato, Rosemary, & White Bean Soup
  • Pozole Verde
  • Miso Soba Noodle Soup

For this review, I got to try them all, and I'll give you my honest review of each one in a minute. But first, let's talk about the packaging.

The Packaging

 

Mosaic packaging is 100% recyclable. Here's some specific info about how to recycle the different parts of your delivery:

  • Box and dividers are made of both recycled and virgin kraft papers. Recycle curbside with paper and cardboard.
  • The liner is made from 100% recycled shredded newspaper encased in recyclable kraft paper. Recycle with paper.
    • Note: Mosaic may use fully-recyclable PET liner in hot weather or warmer climates. The PET liner may be recycled with plastics.
  • Welcome letters are made of standard paper stock. Recycle with paper products.
  • Mosaic uses dry ice instead of gel packs. Leave dry ice in a well-ventilated area at room temperature and it will evaporate overnight.

Mosaic Soups Taste Test

 

Miso Soba Noodle Soup

Calories: 300

I received the full range of soups to sample for this review, and I was most excited to try this one. I really enjoy miso soup, but I often find it's a little too low-calorie to be a viable lunch option for me on its own. Imagine my excitement to see that Mosaic has taken traditional miso soup and added soba noodles. Now we're talking! All of the soups are shipped frozen, and Mosaic provides heating instructions for both microwave and stovetop. For this soup, I went with the microwave method. I pulled back the plastic film, heated the soup for 5 minutes, stirred it, and then heated it for an additional 2 minutes until it was piping hot. My first impression was that this soup smelled great, and I was happy to see that Mosaic didn't skimp on the noodles. I'm happy to report that this soup tasted great, too. In addition to the classic miso flavor, there was a hearty punch of heat (on par with jalapeño), which I found both unexpected and delightful. The noodles were a great addition, and I found this soup surprisingly filling for having only 300 calories. It was very well seasoned, and my only complaint is that the mushrooms and bok choy had that chewy/spongy texture that frozen veggies sometimes get. Aside from that one issue, this soup tasted homemade.

 

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup

Calories: 380

For my second soup, I picked out the Roasted Garlic Cauliflower. For this one, I decided to try the stovetop reheating method, and it definitely took longer than the microwave. (I went with the microwave method for the rest.) While it looked pretty interesting in the packaging, it didn't have much visual appeal in the bowl. I'm kind of a sucker for a pretty plate of food (and a big believer that you eat with your eyes first), so I jazzed it up with a drizzle of olive oil, crunched up hazelnuts, and some chopped spinach. Now, I have to be honest and tell you that cauliflower is probably my least favorite vegetable. I don't dislike it exactly, but I like to say that if vegetables were colors, cauliflower would be beige. I just find it lackluster and unexciting. (Would it surprise you to hear that I am 100% not on board with the cauliflower rice, cauliflower pizza crust, cauliflower EVERYTHING trend that's happening right now?) With all that said, I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this soup more than I thought I would! The roasted garlic really punched up the flavor, and the seasoning was on point. I probably wouldn't have picked this one, but I'm glad Mosaic sent it my way.

 

Tomato, Rosemary, & White Bean Soup

Calories: 370

Now, while I might harbor some low-key disdain for cauliflower, in my book, the tomato is king. I LOVE tomato soup, and I'll happily eat it any time of day (with or without an accompanying grilled cheese sandwich). Mosaic's version seemed like a fun twist on classic tomato soup, and I was excited to give it a try. Flavor-wise, the first thing that struck me was the rosemary. I almost always make tomato soup with basil, so I found the rosemary flavor surprising. And it worked! Again, the seasoning was perfect, and I think the white beans were a smart addition. I'm not sure a bowl of traditional tomato soup would be filling enough to hold me over until dinnertime, but the beans were a satisfying addition that kept me feeling full long after lunch was over.

 

Ginger, Quinoa, & Veggie Soup

Calories: 270

As soon as I poured this soup into the bowl, I had a feeling I was going to love it. The color was beautiful, and the veggies all looked fresh and appealing. Sadly, I thought it looked better than it tasted. First of all, while the seasoning was nice, I found the broth to be a little watery. Looking at the ingredients list, the first item listed is water. (Not vegetable stock?) Secondly, the veggies again had a "frozen texture" that I didn't love. But I will say this: they were beautiful and looked great in the bowl. I know when I make soup and freeze it, sometimes the vegetables overcook during the reheating process and turn to mush; that did not happen here. And I don't want to be too unfair about their texture. I know that a lot of people don't mind frozen vegetables, but I do, unfortunately. Those issues aside, this soup smelled great and the ginger flavor was really nice. I also liked the addition of quinoa. You don't often see quinoa in soups, but I love the texture it adds.

 

Pozole Verde

Calories: 260

I live in the south, so I can't really complain too much about winter chills, but the day I warmed up this soup was one of the coldest we've had so far this year. I was so happy to have a hearty soup waiting for me at lunchtime! I've only had Pozole once or twice before (I have a friend from New Mexico who makes it for me every now and then), but I'm a big fan. It's made with hominy, and I just love hominy. Mosaic's version also has tomatillos, poblanos, and black beans, and this soup is an absolute winner. It truly tasted homemade, and I couldn't believe that it was only 260 calories. It was hearty and filling.

 

Curried Lentil Soup

Calories: 460

As it turns out, I saved the best for last. This soup was outstanding and by far my favorite of the bunch. The flavor was spot on and it tickled my tastebuds in the best possible way. There was a creaminess from the coconut milk, the vegetables provided lovely layers of freshness, and the curry flavor was outstanding. If you're a fan of Indian food, I think you'd probably enjoy this soup, too; it reminded me of dal. I would eat this soup for lunch any day of the week.

The Verdict

Did it taste good?

With a few notable exceptions, the food was really great. I only had two issues. 1) In a couple of the soups, the texture of the vegetables reminded me that the soups had been frozen. Now, I recognize that this is not something that will bother everyone, but it's an issue for me so I'm calling it out. It's no secret that when vegetables are frozen, their cellular structure is affected and their texture changes. For me, I find this a little bit offputting. If it doesn't bother you, great. If it does, know that I clocked it in some (but not all) of Mosaic's soups. 2) While I found the seasoning in the soups spot on, I did find one of the brothy soups to be just a little watery. Those issues aside, I thought the soups were great. The recipes were surprising and fun, the flavors worked well together, and they were all pretty darn tasty.

What about the portion sizes?

It's a pet peeve of mine when a reasonably-sized, individually-packaged container tries to pass as multi-serving. I was so glad to see that's not the case with Mosaic's soups. Each cup is a single serving. The portion sizes are generous, and each cup filled my soup bowl to about where I would fill it if I were ladling soup myself. I know the calorie counts might be a little low for some diners, but I found all of the soups to be surprisingly filling. I'm not sure I'd serve them as dinnertime entrees, but they're perfectly adequate for lunch. You could also get creative and split one as an appetizer before a larger meal.

Is it convenient?

Is there anything more convenient than having soup delivered to your front door? Mosaic is SO convenient. I even love that the soups are delivered frozen; with a shelf life of at least 3 months (often significantly longer), it's handy to keep these soups stocked in the freezer for quick and easy lunch options.

Is it easy to skip or cancel?

Yes! You can skip upcoming deliveries by logging into the user portal, and clicking "skip" on your upcoming deliveries. If you want to cancel, you can do so by emailing [email protected].

Should YOU try Mosaic soups?

I'd recommend Mosaic to those who:

  • Are looking for quick and easy lunch options
  • Follow a vegan diet
  • Seek out plant-based, low-calorie meals
  • Want to keep the freezer stocked with vegan options that are tastier than your average grocery store find
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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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5 comments

Snow

These articles are really fun to read! Lindsey, you do a great job with the food subscriptions ☺️

The best thing I ever discovered was frozen fruit. I can buy 3 lbs for $10 whereas in the produce section, I would pay probably $5 for a tiny little pint. Granted thawed fruit is slightly unpleasant, so that is where the blender comes in. Every day I make a smoothie to get my fruit and fiber in so I am all about frozen produce ☺️

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Lindsey Morse

Thanks so much, Snow! 🙂 And ditto your point about frozen fruit. It is super handy and surprisingly affordable. (It’s really just the frozen veggies that get my side-eye.)

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Cindy

I’m not a soup fan and would never order this, but I was browsing the veggie bowls on their website and they look AMAZING.

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Lindsey Morse

I know! I thought they looked great, too!

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Tiffany

Bummer…they currently don’t deliver to my area.

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