Festive & Gourmet Degustabox (November)

 It's been an unusual year, full of anxiety and sadness, but with the festive season approaching, it might be a good idea to find the joy in little pleasures of life. You might not be able to see your close or extended family and friends for Christmas (except the close bubbles, or whatever new regulations will be enforced by then), but you can still make the celebrations special. 

Rev up good cheer with the Festive & Gourmet Degustabox! The latest food and drink box is crammed with tasty festive treats.

What did we get, let's have a good look!

I'm a fan of Clipper tea, and was happy to find a box of Clipper Tea Organic Advent Calendar (£4.99) among the contents of the food box. It is a festive edition, which includes 12 varieties of organic tea and infusions (2 each). Many food and drink advent boxes are huge, with the unnecessary, excessive packaging. I like this neat box, it's colourful and cheerful to look at, and won't take much space on the kitchen shelf.

You will have a choice of Happy Mondays, Wild Berry, Detox, Orange and Lemon, Calmer Cameleon, Love Me Truly, Snore & Peace and other delicious flavours.

The previous Degustabox had quite a few chocolate treats, and this month hasn't disappointed chocoholics either.

Lindt Lindor Treatbar Orange and Mint (£0.85 each)

Lindor treatbars have silky smooth creamy milk chocolate filling flavoured with orange and mint. They are truly melt-in-the-mouth, so deliciously creamy and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Another classic and family favourite - Jaffa Cakes - has undergone a festive makeover and appears in a new festive flavour of Orange & Cranberry (£1.20). The original blend of dark crackly chocolate, light sponge and tasty orange centre has been enhanced with an added cranberry flavour. 

Nutritional information: 46kcal and 6.1g of sugar per cake.

Available at Co-Op, Morrisons, Tesco, ASDA and Discounters.

KitKat Santa Chocolate Bar & Mini Pouch Bag (£0.65 for a single bar and £1 for a mini pouch) are a festive version of the family favourite. KitKat milk chocolate Santas with a rich chocolatey centre and crunchy wafer pieces are a lovely combination of flavours and textures. Treat yourself or share with your family.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Zero Trace Full Taste Hot Chocolate promises that it doesb't have a trace of any of the 14 major allergens. Pip uses unrefined sugar and cocoa which is certified organic and Fairtrade. This delicious hot chocolate is a bit darker than most, so it's best made with your favourite milk (dairy or plant-based).

Available on Amazon and pipschocolate.com.

La Boulangère Plain Brioche Baguettes (£1.50 for a 4pk, 340g) are soft and delicately sweet brioche baguettes, reminiscent of the traditional taste of Vienna. Perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee. They also make lovely vessels for all kinds of sandwich fillings. Try creamy brie and grapes, or crumbly Cheddar with chilli jam.

Available in Tesco, Ocado and Milk & More.

Daelmans Stroopwafels - Mini Caramel Stroopwafels (£1.30 for 200g) are the world-famous Dutch classic. A pack of minis is for sharing, and are best served with a hot drink, like tea, coffee or hot chocolate. These delicious caramel-filled waffles have a hint of Bourbon vanilla. A perfect indulgent treat for a festive season, or throughout the year.

Available at Sainsbury's and Ocado.

KIND (£1.30-1.99) bars are big on flavour. You will receive two items in the box. KIND Protein Double Dark Chocolate Nut includes 12g protein and comes at 249kcal. It is gluten free and high in fibre. Ingredients are peanuts, almonds with dark chocolate and sea salt among the others.

KIND Caramel Almond & Sea Salt is another combination of mixed nuts with a sweet and salty flavours. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Available on kindsnacks.co.uk

Strings and Things Wintershapes (£1.50) are rich in calcium for healthy bones. You will receive a voucher to the value of £1.50 cheeshapes winter edition, valid until 31/01/2021. The shapes are made of 100% real cheese, pressed into festive winter shapes - penguins, gingerbread men, reindeer. Each pack comes with winter facts and a playful spot the difference game.

Maille Dijon Original Mustard (£1.99) is made with finely crushed Barssica Juncea seeds. It's a perfect accompaniment to any cold meats. If you're making a French salad dressing, this mustard is a key ingredient. I like to add it to a cheese sandwich. 

Available in all major supermarket chains. 

Zest Vegan Coriander & Basil Pesto (£2.20) is a plant-based pesto, made with coriander and basil as well as creamy cashew nuts. It is gluten free and dairy free. Swirl it through pasta, add to savoury pastries, or make a dressing for a salad.

Available at Ocado, Morrisons, Amazon and independent shops.

And finally, there are two small sized bottle of Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon (£2.25). The heartland of Wolf Blass winemaking, Yellow Label has delivered exceptional quality for over 50 years. These Australian wines are bright, fruit-driven and full of flavour, to be paired with food for any occasion.

I'm planning to make festive apple and red wine jelly with Cabernet.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise.

Each time the monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3 off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when you place an order.