Try the World Box & 15% off Coupon Code!

I’ve been recovering from Dental surgery so I’ve got such a backlog of awesome boxes and products for you so prepare yourself for lots of exciting new posts.

The awesome folks from Try the World, graciously sent me a box to review for you all. I love cooking and trying new recipes so I was hella excited. Plus they sent me an exclusive coupon, just for you, my oh so fabulous readers!
Use LISATTW15 for 15% off anything from their site. That’s right anything!

A little about the sub:

Every month, Try the World sends you 7 to 8 gourmet products from a new country, all chosen by expert chefs that sure that your items are authentic and of the highest possible quality. The featured products are made by small, family-owned companies who follow artisanal methods of production. The result is a box of items that are hard to find in the US, but loved by locals. Each box comes with a Culture Guide that includes the story behind each product, recipes to make with the items, and tips to best experience the country’s culinary culture. If you love something from a box or want to try other flavors, you can buy them again in their Shop. Subscribers receive special discounts and offers!  You can opt to receive the box monthly or bi-monthly. The cost per box is $39 with a discount for pre-purchasing a 6 or 12 month sub and shipping is free.

Now enough talk, let’s get to the goods.

This box has the cutest little logo.

Inside, a gorgeous sturdy mint box (that has already been repurposed to hold my backup makeup stash).

The lovely packaging includes a comprehensive “culture guide” that has a perfect little holder built into the lid and reveals that our country this month is: Portugal!

The guide tells us about the products, Portuguese culture, where the items are from and how to use them. It also features a coupon code (PORTUGAL20) for 20% off all Portuguese item sin their online shop. I was really impressed with the detail and thought that put into the insert. It offers a lot of interesting information and is perfectly designed for a cooking enthusiast.

The guide welcomes us to Portugal and let us know this box is curated by first-generation American born to Portuguese parents, Chef George Mendes. He is a chef-owner of Aldea and Lupolo, both in New York City and the author of the cookbook My Portugal.

Now let’s dive into our expertly chosen Portuguese foods!

Codfish in Olive Oil from Briosa Gourmet
(Retail: $7.90)
Description: “Codfish (called bacalhau in its typical, salted form), is one of Portugal’s most iconic foods. Briosa Gourmet wraps their canned codfish in beautiful packaging reminiscent of hydraulic tiles, an art form in which pigments are pressed onto cement”.
Verdict: Intriguing
As a first generation American from Italian immigrants, codfish often made an appearance (although we call it baccalà). As a kid I was pretty anti-fish, but I definitely would like to revisit it and see if I can appreciate it now that I’m all grown up. The included guide offered recipes for codfish fritters and I think that will be how I try this out.

Piri Piri Hot Sauce from Paladin
(Retail: $8.00)
Description: “A quintessentially Portuguese condiment, piri piri hot sauce was first introduced to Europe in the 15th century when Christopher Columbus came back home with piri piri peppers. Since then, the sauce has been used throughout the country. This one is extra hot for extra heat.”
Verdict: Hit!
I’ve got a cabinet and fridge full of different hot sauces so I’m excited to try out a new one. I’m thinking this might work well mixed into a dipping sauce for those codfish fritters.

Lemon Cookies by Casa Lucena
(Retail: $6.50)
Description: “Committed to preserving the culinary traditions of Portugal, Casa Lucena’s cookies are made according to old, Portuguese recipes. These ones have a delicious lemon flavor that makes it hard to resist finishing the whole box in one sitting!”
Verdict: Love!
These cute little cookies were light, crispy and delicious. They went well with tea and would be fabulous for a ladies lunch or a bridal shower.

Pumpkin and Hazelnut Jam RARE by Quinta de Jugais
(Retail: $8.90)
Description: “RARE by Quinta de Jugais crafts premium spreads in Serra da Estrela using traditional Portuguese recipes. One of the most popular fruit preserves in the country, pumpkin jam is delicious over toast or alongside a selection of hard and pungent cheeses.”.
Verdict: Love!
I adore jams and this one sounds different than any I’ve tried. Next time I entertain I think I’ll serve it as part of a cheese plate and alongside some fresh bread.

Caramelized Onions with Balsamic Reduction and Port Wine
by Casa da Prisca
(Retail $7.50)
Description: “Casa da Prisca specializes in producing the same culinary specialties that the company’s founders grew up to know and love over four generations ago. This spread is made with port, one of Portugal’s most iconic spirits, and is best enjoyed with cheese.”
Verdict: Hit!
I feel like I could get creative with this and use it in a lot of different ways, like on a bruschetta or  different kinds of appetizers. I’ll have to spend some time experimenting.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Clasico by Olivais Do Sul
Description: “This versatile olive oil is a perfect addition to a variety of dishes. The olives used to make it are grown in central Portugal and are cold pressed to preserve their complex aroma and distinct flavor.”
(Retail 25 oz: $24.90; Estimated Retail 4.2 oz: $4.18)
Verdict: Love!
Olive oil is a staple in my kitchen, but I’ve never tried one made from Portuguese olives so I’m excited to taste this one.

Apple and Cinnamon Black Tea by IT.
Description: “This infusion is made by blending black tea with leaves, flowers, and fruit grown in the mountains of Serra da Estrela in eastern Portugal. Apple and cinnamon aroma makes this tea a wonderful cold weather pick-me-up.”
(Retail: ???)
Verdict: Love!
Unfortunately I couldn’t find this in the Try the World shop so I don’t have a retail price, but it was absolutely lovely. I served it with the lemon cookies and had a fancy little tea time in my living room. I think I’ll try this out next as an iced tea.

Sea Salt and Lemon by Hands on Earth
Description: “Committed to sustainability and healthful living, Hands on Earth specializes in producing organic herbs and seasonings. This finishing salt is made free of pesticides and chemicals, and lemon adds a zesty finish to any dish.”
(Retail: $9.50)
Verdict: Hit!
Sea Salt is a staple in my kitchen and this lemon version will be great for summer dishes. I make a shrimp and orzo salad that I think would pair perfectly with this.

OVERALL

Verdict: Love!
This was one of the best food boxes I’ve tried. I love international cuisine and I felt like I learned a lot about Portuguese food from the items included and the inserts. They also feature small businesses and artisanal goods that you might never be able to find otherwise. The items inspired me to come up with new recipes. The online shop gives you the option to keep buying the items you love and it makes it easy to search by different countries.

I received this box for free, but I’d gladly pay $39 for what I received and if I wasn’t in saving mode I’d be signing myself up for this immediately. (Although I may just break down and do it anyway). Without even factoring in the tea, the retail value of this box was $52.48 and it had a nice mix of savory and sweet as well as cooking and snack items. All around I thought this was an amazing box.

This sub is really packaged perfectly for gift giving. If your Mom loves trying out new foods, I think this would make an awesome Mother’s Day gift (especially with the 15% off code).

Do you enjoy trying new foods? If so, what’s your favorite new culinary discovery?

THE BACKSTORY
Every month, Try the World sends you 7 to 8 gourmet products from a new country, all chosen by expert chefs that sure that your items are authentic and of the highest possible quality. The featured products are made by small, family-owned companies who follow artisanal methods of production. The result is a box of items that are hard to find in the US, but loved by locals.

Each box comes with a Culture Guide that includes the story behind each product, recipes to make with the items, and tips to best experience the country’s culinary culture.

If you love something from a box or want to try other flavors, you can buy them again in their Shop. Subscribers receive special discounts and offers!

Subscription Options: Monthly or Bi-monthly

Cost: $39 per box
6 Month sub: $33 per box
12 Month sub: $29 per box
Free Shipping
Coupon Codes: Use LISATTW15 for 15% off anything from their site.

Pause or Cancel Anytime. First box ships in 2 weeks.