My second month with Universal Yums came from a country that shares a border with my first month’s country. I was a little disappointed by that because I really hoped it would bounce around the world a bit more. A few of the snacks were very similar two months in a row. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t good! It was also upsetting that something (I never did figure out what) had opened and melted all over the box, so many of the items were sticky. But nothing made me sick, so I’ll consider it a win.
Here’s what came in my Greece box.
What’s in the Box
Roasted Garlic Bread Chips by Tottis: These were basically garlic-flavored bagel chips. They were definitely tasty, but I wouldn’t say they were really unique from anything I could buy at my local grocery store.
Peanut & Hazelnut Puffs by Tottis: This was probably the biggest shock in the box. We didn’t expect to like them at all, but they were so completely addictive! They were about the size and consistency of Planters Cheez Balls, but tasted like peanut butter and hazelnut. While I love peanuts and peanut butter, I’m not generally a big fan of peanut-flavored foods, but I couldn’t stop eating these!
Almond Baklava by Kandylas: I already knew I loved baklava, so I enjoyed this, but I can’t say it was any better or worse than other baklava I’ve had.
Almond Milk Toffees: I’m not a big toffee person in general, but the almond milk flavor was so good and unique that I thoroughly enjoyed these.
Cocoa & Vanilla Croissant by Tottis: This was okay. I love croissants, but it’s the sort of thing I prefer to eat fresh-baked rather than packaged. I can get better ones here. I also wasn’t totally sure I trusted cream-filled bread that had been sitting outside in the Florida heat for a few hours.
Paprika & Tomato Potato Chips by Tottis: These were delicious! I love trying different flavors of potato chips. I feel like there are a lot more things you can do to a crispy slice of potato than I can typically find on a local shelf.
Grape Must Moustokouloura Cookie by Fedon: I LOVED THIS. It was a big, cakey, spicy cookie, similar to gingerbread. Deliciousness.
Drizzled Milk Chocolate Wafer by Tottis: This was all right. I mean, I didn’t dislike it, but again, it wasn’t too different from something I could find here. Although according to the pamphlet Universal Yums sent me, Greece is where wafers were invented! So that’s pretty cool.
Pomegranate Jelly Candy by Frugeli: Similar to last month, I’m not a big candy person, but these, again, were delicious. Kind of tart and sweet, and I don’t find a lot of pomegranate-flavored things.
Prickly Pear Turkish Delight: Typically I hate Turkish delight. It never looked or tasted the way I expected from reading about it and seeing it in the animated version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I’ve just always kind of thought it was gross, which was such a disappointing discovery after growing up loving those books. But when I tried these (which looked exactly like the ones in the cartoon), I finally understood how Edmund Pevensie could have sold his family out for a castle full of them.
Almond Kourabiedes Cookies by Kandylas: These, like last month, are a version of a cookie that will never compare to our own family recipe. However, there was something about these I liked slightly better than last month’s.
Basil Pesto Breadstick Bites by Fedon: When we opened the bag, these were not at all what we expected. We’d both assumed from the picture that they would be more like croutons, but they had more of a cracker-like exterior and consistency. And they tasted great!
Peach Jelly Candy by Frugeli: Another jelly candy that I loved despite not being a big candy person. Maybe I should just go ahead and admit that I love jelly candies.
Tomato, Olive, & Oregano Bruschetta by Tottis: These were so original! They were bread chips that tasted exactly like tomato, olive, and oregano! Maybe a bit heavier on the olive. I hadn’t had chips that tasted like them before. Very good.
Lemon Shortbread Pie by Fedon: I’m such a sucker for pies, cookies, cakes, and pastries in general. I loved this.
Oregano Potato Chips by Tottis: Another great flavor of potato chip that I don’t know why I can’t find in the States!
Strawberry & Peanut Nougat by Minos: This was…unusual, and hard to describe. It is, as described, a bar of nougat with strawberries and peanuts in it. I still haven’t decided whether I liked it or not. I’d never had anything like it, and I’m glad I got to experience it. But I think ultimately, if I had to take it or leave it, I would leave it. I think I prefer nougat inside of chocolate rather than out and about by itself.
Orange & Chocolate Tahini Halva by Kandy’s: Last month I came to the conclusion that I hated halva. But this was so good. I heated this little orange-flavored chocolate cake in the microwave. It was rich and scrumptious and one of my favorite things in the whole box!
My Personal Box
So if I were to make myself a personal box out of these items, here are the 9/18 I would include:
- Peanut & Hazelnut Puffs
- Paprika & Tomato Potato Chips
- Grape Must Moustokouloura Cookie
- Almond Kourabiedes Cookies
- Basil Pesto Breadstick Bites
- Tomato, Olive, & Oregano Bruschetta
- Lemon Shortbread Pie
- Oregano Potato Chips
- Orange & Chocolate Tahini Halva
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