Degustabox December Box: Winter Pleasures & Enjoyable Moments

It seems that Christmas season has only just arrived and then - whoosh - it's gone in a flash. Only 354 days to go until the next one. Hope you have had a wonderful time.

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 otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a 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 £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in December Box Degustabox: Winter Pleasures & Enjoyable Moments?

Tilda Spicy Mexican rice (£1.54) is a Product of the Month.  This is a tasty recipe of black beans, sweetcorn and red peppers combined with chipotle and jalapeno chillies.

Ready in 2 minutes, either in the microwave or on the hob.

Perfect with a naked burrito bowl (with fried chicken, served with salsa made with tomatoes, red onion and coriander); for a vegetarian version add roasted vegetables or grilled cheese.

Nutritional information: 149kcal and 1.4g of sugar per 125g serving; gluten free; suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Bonne Maman madeleines (£3.15), a French classic, come in a special Christmas pack during this festive season. 

These pure butter madeleines are a perfect breakfast/elevenses/late afternoon treat to go with a cup of tea or coffee. Very buttery and moreish, they are perfect for sharing.

Bonne Maman cakes and biscuits come in many delicious flavours. We absolutely love lemon madeleines and mini vanilla muffins.

Nutritional values: 435kcal and 16g of sugar per 100g.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Nestle Cheerios Very Berry (£3.50) - is a new cereal from the popular brand, which promises a delicious taste of berries in every bite.

I have a special place for Cheerios in my heart, as this cereal brings lovely memories of my sons when they were little and absolutely adored these cute tasty rings. They just snacked on them, without milk.

Nutritional values: 118kcal and 6g of sugar per 30g serving (one box = 14 servings); high in fibre, from oat, wheat and barley; contains 7 vitamins, calcium and iron.

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Morrisons.

Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup (£1.60) is a classic super creamy soup, packed with flavour. 

Cook it as a quick and easy meal, or use as an ingredient in a variety of casseroles. 

Americans are very inventive when it comes to casseroles made with tinned soup. I have a book of recipes from the times when we lived in the States, and there is a big selection of meals, using this not so secret vintage ingredient, from a Pasta Bake to Baked Cabbage casserole with Ritz Crackers.

Check out recipe ideas at www.campbellsoup.co.uk, if you fancy cooking wild mushroom arancini, beef Stroganoff or roasted vegetable pasta.

Nutritional values: 133kcal and 1.42g of salt per serving.

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon an other grocery stores.

Garofalo La Pasta di Gragnano - Stortini (£2.60)- is a durum wheat semolina pasta.

This small shaped pasta is made with children in mind, but grown-ups can obviously enjoy it as well. Curved pasta shapes absorb the sauce, and are great in soups or light meat-based or vegetarian broth.

Garofalo are pasta experts, and I was glad to try a new type of pasta from their excellent range.

Nutrition values: 351kcal and 3g of sugar per 100g.

Available on Amazon.

Teapigs Mao Feng Green Tea (£5.49) promises to capture the delicate taste of summer air. It turns a clear pale green when infused.

Motto: Big leaf, big flavour. They only use big, quality, whole leaves, no dust. All natural, no artificial flavourings. Tea temples are plastic free, made from plant starch, and are nice and roomy.

Great Taste award in 2021.

The tea flavours are delicate, fruity and refreshing.

Available in the major supermarkets and e-commerce chains, and at teapigs.co.uk.

Double Dutch Double Lemon (£24.99 for a case of 24) is a carbonated lemon flavoured soft drink. Its combination of lemon, lime and quassia makes a great base for a cocktail with vodka or a citrus-flavoured gin. 

It is like a sip of summer in winter.

Nutritional values: 19kcal and 4.4g of sugar per 100ml

Available at www.doubledutchdrinks.com

Get More Vits Kids multivitamin squash Sumer Fruits (£2.50) is a concentrated low calorie summer fruits soft drink with sweetener and added vitamins. Also available in Apple & Blackcurrant and Orange, Mango & Passionfruit flavours.

Use 5 parts water to 1 part squash, one bottle contains 30 servings.

Nutritional values: 4kcal and 0.5g of sugar per 150ml (diluted drink); made with 20% real fruit juices.

Available in Tesco and Morrisons.

Ritter Sport Orange or Honey Salt Almonds (£1.89/£2.20) is a high quality chocolate from a much loved brand.

We're big fans of Ritter Sport (their Marzipan chocolate is the best, and so is the Whole Hazelnuts Milk or Dark Chocolate, pure perfection).

You will receive one item of two. We got Orange flavour, which is rich and indulgent, with 50% dark chocolate and a smooth creamy orange centre.

Available in Waitrose, convenience stores and on Amazon.

Which product is your favourite from the latest box?

Degustabox September Box

 There's a chill in the air, and the evenings are crawling in earlier and earlier, and no wonder, as we've said Goodbye to September.

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 otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a 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 £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in September Box Degustabox?

 Tilda Meals - Hearty Meals Madras Bean Curry and Easy Meals Vegetable Paella - are chosen Product of the Month.

These two latest addition to the versatile Tilda range offer tasty and nutritious meals for one, ready in just two minutes.

Tilda Vegetable Paella is a hearty mix of long grain rice and vegetables (24%), such as carrots, red peppers, green beans, white beans, etc. Made in Spain with imported and local ingredients.

Nutritional values: 333kcal and 2.25g of salt per 250g serving.

Tilda Madras Bean Curry with lentils is a tasty combination of lentils, pinto beans, tomato, fried onion, coconut milk, etc. 

Nutritional values: 293kcal and 5.8g of sugar.

Both products contain 1 of your 5 a day; a source of fibre and protein, vegetarian and vegan; no artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Available in Sainsbury's and Tilda.com.

You should receive 1 item in your box. 

Indie Bay Pretzel Thins Ligthly Salted (£1 each) are tasty savoury snacks which have a satisfying crunch. They are thin and crispy and absolutely delicious. Great for dunking, dipping and topping, enjoy them on the go or while watching a film. 

They are vegan, a source of fibre and protein, and are made with natural ingredients. Nutritional information: 137kcal and 2.5g of salt per 35g bag.

Available on Amazon, indiebaysnacks.co and good independent shops.

You should receive two in your box.

Slooow Crispy Multigrain Rolls (£2.80) are prepared with the best 100% natural and organic ingredients. 

The bread is given more than a day from start to finish, and that makes the bread extra tasty - crispy on the ouside and soft inside.

Bake at home for 10 minutes to have fresh crispy rolls for your meal. Great with soups, stews or as a sandwich base.

Nutritional values: 244kcal and 0.59g of salt per serving; vegan, organic.

Available in Ocado, Dunnes Stores and Booths.

Rice Krispies Squares Honeycomb & Chocolate (£0.79) are cereal snack bars, made of Rice Krispies with a honeycomb flavour coating and a chocolate drizzle. 

I buy Rice Krispies Squares cereal bars for my sons, and they enjoy the texture and flavour of this treat. Each bar contains appr. 134kcal.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Mutti Peeled (£1.60) is a versatile Italian tomato product. 

Mutti tomatoes are known to be processed within 24 hours of harvesting to capture the taste of freshly picked 100% Italian sun-ripened tomatoes.

Excellent product for a great variety of recipes, from pasta to stew, from soup to chilli. 

It has an intense fresh flavour and rich texture, the colour is a beautiful bright red. Mutti peeled tomatoes are fleshy and firm, immersed in a velvety passata.

Nutritional information: 22kcal and 2.9g of sugar per 100g.

If your family enjoys a Bolognese (whether meat-based or vegetarian), Mutti Peeled will make a good tomato base for the ragu.

Our family are big fans of Mutti products. I use Mutti in vegetarian stews, vegetable ragu with okra, sweet peppers and butter beans, curries and pasta dishes. 

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Cheez-It Snap'd Cheese & Chilli baked snacks (£1 for 40g bag) are baked with 100% real cheese.

Thin and crispy, and very moreish, these snacks are a big hit with my guys. I buy them pretty regularly.

Crunchy and well-seasoned, Cheez-It makes a great snack, whether you are feeling peckish or having a movie night. 

Nutritional information: 501kcal and per 100g, or 200kcal and 1.4g of salt per 40g pouch. No artificial colours or flavours. Suitable for vegetarians.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

BrewDog Elvis Juice Hot Sauce (£2.50) is an award-winning sauce, inspired by an iconic headline beer and the undisputed King of Citrus. 

Infused with lime juice, it offers bold flavours. Just right for grilled halloumi sandwich, a chicken sub or tacos. 

Spicy and citrusy at the same time, it is hot hot hot. A bit too hot for me personally, while my guys enjoyed it.

Nutritional values: 112kcal and 1.8g of salt per 100ml.

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ocado.

Sunfly Sunflower Seed Butter Crunchy and Sweet & Salty (£0.90 each) are nut-free, top 14 allergen-free squeeze pouches.

Made with sunflower seeds, and offering a 7g protein boost, you can add them to your smoothies or porridge, spread on toast or eat straight from the pouch.

Nutirional values: 208kcal and 6.8g of protein for Crunchy and 211kcal and 6.8g of protein for sweet & salty. Rich in Vitamin E, magnesium & iron.

Available on Amazon and Ocado.

You should receive two items in your box.

Munchies Sharing bag (£1.65) is another lovely treat, offering a rich caramel and a crunchy biscuit centre, all ensconsed in a smooth milk chocolate. It's a winning combination of crunchy, chewy and creamy.

The sharing bag includes approximately 6 servings of 7 sweets. 

Nutritional values: 156kcal and 18.4g of sugar per serving.

Is it your on-the-go kind of snack, or will you share the bag, while watching a new episode of Slow Horses?

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Fruitbowl Yogurt Fruit Goals (£2.45) are juicy raisins in yogurt flavoured coating in pretty pastel colours. 

These fruity snacks will appeal to children or grown ups with a sweet tooth (a tad too sweet for me). Made with real fruit and using natural colours & flavours, they are just right for a lunchbox or as a sweet treat after school.

Nutritional information: 87kcal and 11.8g of sugar per serving/pouch; suitable for vegetarians, gluten free.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Goodrays CBD Elderflower & Yuzu (£2.29) is a refreshing drink, infused with 30mg of premium sun-grown CBD, and high in Vitamin D.

The flavours are a combination of zesty citrus of the Japanese Yuzu and the sweet floral notes of the British Elderflower.

No added sugar. No artificial sweeteners. 100% vegan.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

If you're a Degusta Box Plus member, you will also receive an extra product - Spice Kitchen Tandoori Masala Spice Blend (£6.50).

What product is your favourite?

And don't forget to order an XXL Advent Calendar. We've had it for several years in a row, and it's always fabulous.

Degustabox August Box

 Saying Good bye to summer days, and welcoming autumn. Back to school, hectic mornings and afternoon snacks, hot cocoa on chillier evenings and cosy jumpers.

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 otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a 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 £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in August Box Degustabox?

Tilda rice is the Product of the Month with two flavours from their extensive range - Tilda Soy & Ginger Sticky rice or Chinese Special fried rice (£1.54 each).

Discover two new tasty flavours.

Both Soy & ginger sticky rice and Chinese special fried rice, inspired by popular cisines from East Asia, are perfect with Oriental-style recipes.

Chinese Special fried rice is a steamed long grain rice with mixed vegetables (carrots, peas), mushrooms and Chinese spices. Perfect with Salt & Pepper Tofu, Chinese meatballs or spare ribs.

Soy & Ginger Sticky rice is a steamed round rice with soy sauce and ginger. Great with Shiitake mushrooms and green beans. For extra protein, add fried chicken or tofu.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, gluten free. Nutritional information: 210kcal and 0.7g of salt per 125g serving (Soy & Ginger); 160kcal and 1.19g of salt per serving (Chinese special).

Ready in 2 minutes in a microwave or 3 minutes on the hob.

I have mentioned it more than once in the past that we are big fans of Tilda rice, and always have a couple of rice pouches in the pantry for quick and easy meals.

Available in Sainsbury's and on Tilda.com.

You should receive 1 item in your box.

We had Tilda Soy & Ginger sticky rice as a side dish to sea bream, marinated in soy sauce, spring onions and honey.

Seabrook Waffle Bites Maple Bacon Flavour (£1.50) is a lattice potato snack, available in individual 16g bags. 

A lovely snack, when you're feeling peckish, or as part of your packed lunch, these waffle bites are gluten free and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Nutritional values: 74kcal and 1g of sugar per 16g bag.

Available in ASDA, Morrisons and Ocado.

Bold Bean Co Queen Chickpeas/or Queen Cannellini Beans (£3.25)/ or Smoky Chilli Baked Beans (£3.50) are cooked, using high quality ingredients, sourced from where they grow best.

Eat straight from the jar, or use as an ingredient in a variety of dishes, added to salads and rice, or mashed as a topping for crostata.

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Morrisons, Ocado and major independents, or directly from boldbeanco.com.

You should receive 1 item of three. Ours was a big jar of Queen Cannellini Beans. 

I am planning to use it next time I cook a five-bean chilli (a vegetarian recipe), but you can use it in Chilli con Carne.

Nutritional values: 81kcal and 0.8g of salt per 100g.

Kellogg's Bluey Multigrain Cereal (£3.50) is a fun novelty cereal for the little people in your family. 

I miss the days when my guys were little, as I know they would have been absolutely delighted to see Bluey on the cereal box.

Nutritional values: 119kcal and 4.5g of sugar per 30g serving; high in fibre, no artificial colours or flavours, contains vitamins and minerals.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Mentos Pure Fresh Strawberry Gum (£2) is a long-lasting chewing gum with a unique liquid-filled centre.

Sugar free and bursting with a berry flavour, this refershing gum comes in a bottle which contains 35 pieces.

Nutritional information: 195kcal and 0g sugar per 100g.

Available in Tesco.

Forest Feast Honey & Sea Salt Cashews and Peanuts (£1.50) is a nut mix, glazed with Scottish heather honey and roasted with hand-harvested sea salt. A perfect snack. Top marks!

Nutritional values: 515kcal and 19g of sugar per 100g (one package is 40g); vegetarian, gluten free.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Sacla Creamy Pesto Pasta Pot (£2) is a new product from Sacla.

Made in Italy, with short-cut tagliatelle that stays al dente, each pot is a source of protein. Pour in boiling water, and enjoy a bowl of pasta in five minutes.

We had a bit of a disaster with this pasta pot. It got squashed in the transit and arrived, with all the powdery contents (basil sauce) spread around the box. The pasta itself stayed in the pot, so I might use that, when cooking soup next time. 

Nutritional values: 314kcal and 1.9g of salt per pot.

Available in larger Asda, Morrisons, Amazon, Ocado, sacla.co.uk and Sacla TikTok shop.

Activit Sparkling Vitamin Water Lemon & Lime/or Blackcurrant & Raspberry/or Tropical (£1.50) is a carbonated flavoured spring water with added vitamins and minerals with sweetener.

You should receive 1 item in your box. We got Activit Lemon & Lime, which contains 8 vitamins and minerals, zero sugar. It's a refreshing drink, a quick pick-me-up for busy lifestyles.

Nutritional values: 1kcal per 100ml and 0.5g of sugar (one can is 330ml).

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Double Dutch Pomegranate & Basil (£1.50) is a low cal mixer, with natural flavours.

Double Dutch is a range of premium mixers and tonics. In the few of years we've had a few different flavours of Double Ducth Drinks in Degustabox deliveries, and they are all high quality drinks.

This soft drink offers a vibrant blend of sweet pomegranate and aromatic, earthy tones of basil. It's herby and fruity sweet at the same time, well-balanced, with a depth and complexity.

Serve chilled.

Available on Amazon and Ocado.

This product is only avaiable as a case of 24, and not individually.

And finally, a herald of autumn - Starbucks Premium Instant Coffee Pumpkin Spice Latte (£3).

Inspired by the iconic Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, this instant coffee allows you to prepare your favourite brew at home.

Made with high quality 100% Arabica beans, blended with dairy milk and a Pumpkin spice mix.

Nutritional information: 92kcal and 14.9g of sugar per mug. There are four sticks in the box.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

What is your top favourite product from the latest Degustabox?

Degustabox June Box

 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 otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a 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 £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in June Box Degustabox?

Tilda Mushroom Basmati Rice or Egg Fried Long Grain Rice (£1.54) is Product of the Month.

Tilda steamed rice range includes over 25 flavours. I always have a couple of pouches in my pantry for quick and easy meals. My personal favourites: Jasmine, Coconut and Sticky rice, but I'm happy with any flavour. 

These pouches are super handy. I use them as a side dish to tofu meals, grilled fish, stir fried chicken, etc. 

Tilda rice is a great ingredient for stuffed sweet peppers and tomatoes, and that's exactly what I did with both Mushroom Basmati and Egg Fried Long Grain rice. I mixed the rice with grated carrots and topped with sour cream, stuffed the peppers and roasted them in the oven. 

Rice is ready in 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes on the hob.

Nutritional information: 150kcal and 0.5g of sugar per 125g serving (Mushroom); 170kcal and 0.9g of sugar per 125g serving (Egg-fried); gluten free, free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Available in the major supermarket chains. You should receive 1 item in your box.

Cheez-It Double Cheese/Cheese & Chilli (£1 each) is a thin and crispy snack baked with 100% real cheese, with no artificial colours or flavours. 

Crunchy and well-seasoned, Cheez-It makes a great snack, whether you are feeling peckish or having a movie night. 

Nutritional information: 500kcal/501kcal and 1.5g of salt per 100g, or 200kcal and 0.6g of salt per 40g pouch. No artificial colours or flavours. Suitable for vegetarians.

Both flavours are a big hit with my guys. 

Available in the major supermarket chains.

You should receive two items in your box.

More cheese-flavoured snacks - Proper All the Cheese Lentil Chips (£2), a new lentil based snack made with four cheese seasoning.

An "homage to the fromage" that blends Cheddar, Emmental, Mozzarella and Gouda into a crispy savoury snack.

Made with real cheese, gluten free, under 95kcal per serve. Lentils are protein rich, and are a source of iron and fibre.

Lovely on their own, or with a selection of dips.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Kellogg's Oaties Original Crunch (£3.50) is a new cereal from Kellogg's.

Lightly sweet, oaty bite cereal with a lasting crunch is made with wholegrain oats and is high in fibre.

 This tasty cereal will provide breakfast for the whole family. Enjoy it on its own with a milk of your choice, or personalise with adding seeds and berries.

Nutritional values: 114kcal and 6g of sugar per 30g serving.

Available in Tesco, JS, ASDA and Morrisons.

Just Live a Little Maple & Pecan Toasted Pecan Granola (£1.50) is a tasty breakfast. Made with wholegrain oats, finest nuts, fruits and a generous dollop of nut butter.

This is a gluten free granola, high in fibre and without refined sugar. Ingredients include wholegrain oat, date juice concentrate, raisins, rapeseed oil, pecan nuts, maple syrup, almond butter, toasted coconut etc.

Nutritional values: 183kcal and 7.3g of sugar per 45g.

Available in full-sized 360g pack at £4 in selected Sainsbury's, Amazon, justlivealittle.com and selected independents.

Mission Carb Balance Wraps (£1.90) are a healthier choice for any mealtime. These soft tortilla wraps offer a fine balance of high fibre with lower carbs.

Enjoy them with a sweet or savoury filling/topping - make a burrito, tacos, fajitas or a dessert with a chocolate spread or nut spread and banana.

Nutritional information: 9g carbs, 125kcal and 0.55g of salt per wrap.

Available in Sainsbury's.

Nescafe Iced Caramel Flavour Latte Multiserve (£3) is a godsend for this hot weather. Enjoy with lots of ice cubes straight from the fridge for a long refreshing drink.

Made with carefully selected and responsibly sourced coffee and milk for an indulgent creamy coffee drink. 

Nutritional values: 92kcal and 10.6g of sugar per 250ml serve; high protein, source of calcium.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Nestle Carnation Drizzles come in three flavours: Condensed Milk, Caramel or Chocolate Fudge Flavour (£3.19). 

Great for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, ice cream, berries and other kinds of desserts.

Established in 1899, Carnation has a great heritage.

You will receive one 1 item of 3. We got Carnation Drizzle Chocolate Fudge Flavour (a sweetened condensed milk with chocolate fudge flavour).

Nutritional values: 45kcal and 8.3g of sugar per 15g serving.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Sauce Shop Original Smoky BBQ Sauce (£2.80) is the ultimate summer condiment. This is a classic sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, Kansas City style, made with tomatoes, hickory-wood smoked water, white grape vinegar and rich molasses.

Serve it with grilled meat, hot dogs, or pizza. 

Nutritional information: 140kcal and 31.9g of sugar per 100g (one bottle is 340g).

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's and www.sauceshop.co.uk.

Skittles Citrus (£1.10 each) is a zingtastic new mix of citrus flavours - orange, lemon, lime, mandarin and blood orange.

Zesty and sweet, these candies make an enjoyable treat, whether you're lounging on the beach, or having a picnic on the lawn. Very bright and summery.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

You should receive 2 items in your box.

And finally, another sweet treat - Divine Milk & White Chocolate Cappuccino bar (£1.29). An indulgent blend of creamy milk chocolate, smooth white chocolate and a hint of rich cappuccino, it's a perfect balance of flavours. Perfect for those of us who love coffee-flavoured chocolate.

Each bar is produced using Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

Available direct from Divine at www.divinechocolate.com.

If you're a PLUS member, you will receive an extra product of Doughlicious soft baked gourmet grab & go cookies NY style choc chip (£1.99).

Another smashing box from Degustabox, with lots of treats.

Degustabox December Box

 

Disclosure: I receive a monthly Degustabox subscription box for free for the purposes of reviewing. I do not receive any payments to write a review. 

You count days until Christmas, then blink, and it's all over. How were your Christmas and New Year's Eve?  

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 otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a 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 £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in December Box Degustabox?

Tilda Sticky Rice (£1.54) is the Product of the Month.

Made with specially selected grains, Tilda Sticky Rice is a great pantry product for quick and easy meals. I'm a big fan of Tilda, and always have a couple of pouches in the kitchen, to use as a side dish for chicken and/or vegetable main course.

Sticky rice will be perfect for any Poke bowl (with salmon marinated in soy sauce, mango cubes, edamame, shredded seaweed, etc) or sushi. For a vegetarian alternative, replace salmon with asparagus or butternut squash.

Ready in 90 seconds in microwave, and you can also heat it up in a small pan on the hob (we don't use a microwave at home).

Nutritional values: 221kcal and 0.03g of salt per 125g serving.

Made with finest rice, Tilda sticky rice is vegetarian and vegan, and has no artificial colours, flavours or preseratives.

Available in Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

Ryvita Snack It Thins Sour Cream & Chime Flavour (£2.19) are a true gem of the varied Ryvita range. 

Perfect for snacking, these wheat and rye flatbreads with sour cream and chive flavouring are great to eat on their own, or as part of the cheese or mezze board. Try them with cream cheese and sliced cucumber as a tasty snack.

Nutritional values: 38kcal and 0.08g of salr per thin.

Vegetarian friendly, British-baked, no artificial preservatives.

Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

Human Nature Caramelised Onion flavour pea snacks/or Hot Halapeno/ or Smoky BBQ/ or Cheese Flavour snacks (£2) is a vegetarian brand on a mission to make wholesome foods that positively contribute to social and environmental causes. 

You will receive 1 flavour of four.

Human Nature Caramelised Onion is a Great Taste 2024 award winner. These scrumptious crunchy snacks are made with plant-based ingredients.

Nutritional values: 91kcal and 0.4g of salt per 20g serving; 13g protein per pack; source of fibre; up to 40% less fat; palm oil free; vegan approved.

The tasty snacks disappeared pretty fast, they were so good. Crunchy and melting in the mouth, they have a delicious onion flavour.

Available at https://humannaturefood.com

Dorset Cereals Simply Nutty Muesli is a perfect start to a day. Made with delicious dates, roasted hazelnuts and brazils, this breakfast cereal makes a lovely morning meal.

High in fibre and vegan, with no added sugar (only naturally occurring sugars), no added colours or preservatives, no artificial colours, contains wholegrains.

Nutritional values: 170kcal and 6.4g of sugar per 45g serving.

Lovely with a dairy or plant-based milk of your choice, Dorset Cereals also make a tasty ingredient in cookies ot granola.

Available in Waitrose, ASDA, Ocado, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Forest Feast Salted Dark Chocolate Cashews (£1.50) are delightful moreish snacks.

Forest Feast is one of my favourite brands. And these slowly roasted cashews, dipped in dark Belgian chocolate with a sprinkling of sea salt and a dusting of cocoa are truly delicious. I can easily eat more than one pack without sharing (I did share, though).

Nutritional information: 555kcal and 27g of sugar per 100g (one pouch is 40G); vegan, gluten free.

Available in Tesco, forestfeast.com and Fine food independents.

Maggi Masala Noodles (£0.65) is an authentic Indian recipe. 

Ready in just 2 minutes, these noodles are made with a blend of natural spices and are suitable for vegetarians. 

My younger son, who is the king of noodles, is always happy to try a new flavour.

Nutritional values: 301kcal and 2.02g of salt per serving.

Available in major supermarket chains.

Knorr Spicy Stock Pot (£1.90) will help you cook tasty dishes, packed full of flavour.

Medium on Spicy meter (two peppers), vegan, gluten free, made with sustainably sourced vegetables.

Ingredients include: tomato paste, cayenne pepper, jalapeno chilli pepper powder, red bell pepper, paprika powder, vegetable juice concentrate etc.

I haven't used the pots so far, and might pass them on to a friend who enjoys their food pretty spicy.

Nutritional values: 4kcal and 0.99g of salt per 125ml.

Available at Waitrose, ASDA and Ocado.

Garofalo Semi de Melone Soup Pasta or Ditali Soup Pasta (£2.60) offer an authentic Italian experience. If you enjoy hearty Italian soups or light broths, these soup pasta shapes will bring great taste and texture to your meals.

You will receive one product of two. We got Garofalo Ditali, short tube-shaped pasta, which holds sauce and seasoning well.

Both types of pasta are made from high qualiy durum wheat, ensuring an authentic al dente bite. Use ditali to cook a rich hearty soup Pasta e fagioli with ground beef, onions, carrots, tinned tomatoes, celery, kidney beans and herbs.

Nutritional values: 351kcal and 3g of sugar per 100g. 

Available on Ocado and Amazon.

Mentos Fanta Pouch Bag (£2.50) is a playful match of two classic brands - Mentos and Fanta. Mentos chewy dragees are our snack of choice for the longer car trips, but of course, you can munch on them any time of the day. The pouch is a limited edition.

While we prefer the original Mentos, Fanta-flavoured dragees are also bursting with flavour.

Nutritional values: 10kcal per one 2.7g candy.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Get More Vits Recovery Cranberry Sports Drink (£1.25) and Sparkling Lemon & Lime Multivits Drink (£1.10) are fruity, sugar-free soft drinks with a daily dose of vitamins.

These drinks make it easier to boost your vitamin intake.

Sugar-free, low calorie and made with UK spring water and natural fruit flavours, Get More Vits are refreshing and flavourful.

Get More Vits Recovery is specially formulated to deliver electrolytes to aid hydration, and B vitamins for energy release.

Get More Vits Sparkling Lemon & Lime supports healthy body, with Biotin helping with metabolism and making you feel less tired.

Nutritional values: 5kcal and 0g sugar per 500ml (Cranberry sport drink); 2kcal and 0 sugar per 330ml (Sparkling lemon & lime)

Available in Tesco, Co-Op, Ocado, Amazon and getmorevits.com.

You should receive 2 items in your box (1of each).

Jayfish V Gallery Vodka (£4 for a 5cl bottle, or £20.90 for a 50cl bottle) is a premium flavoured vodka. V Gallery offers a delectable collection of flavoured vodka: Marshmallow, Toffee Fudge, Mango Crush, Cucumber and Very Berry.

You should receive 1 item in your box. We got a Very Berry vodka.

Distilled five times to create a pure crystal clear vodka each time, which flavour would you like to try?

Available a www.vgalleryvodka.com

Get a 20% discount on your first order with the code DEGUSTA20.

And if you're a PLUS member (I'm not), you will also receive a Riso Gallo My Risotto Perfetto Saffron risotto rice. I buy it regularly, and can only sing praises to it.

And that's all, folks. What product do you like the best from this selection?