Okay it’s time to get back to boxes. To push us over the mid-week hump, I’ve got some sweet treats with my May review of Orangeglad, a monthly artisan dessert subscription.
If you’d like to try out one for yourself use my code ST10 for 10% off your order.
Lovely packaging as usual:
Rustic Bakery – Larkspur, CA
About the Company:“So, the bakers scrambled to find a commercial kitchen space in their hometown of Novato, which they outgrew in the first week, struggling to keep up with more orders while working with a rolling pin and standard convection oven. It wasn’t an around-the-clock effort. Josh would mix all of the dough, and Carol would shape and bake the flatbreads. As luck would have it, there was a wine bar in Larkspur with a fully outfitted, but unused bakery in the back. Carol and Josh signed a lease, and the crowds converged the same day. Two days later they purchased the entire space , turning the wine bar into a café serving coffee and croissants alongside the crackers….As far as we know, it’s the only handmade sourdough flatbread anywhere…”
Pecan Shortbread
($2.99 Each)
Description: “Tender and luscious, this delicate cookie is topped with sanding sugar after baking to complete its yumminess!”
Chocolate Chip and Cacao Nib
($2.99 Each)
Description: “This sophisticated cookie has a double chocolate flavor with the Valrhona chocolate and cacao nibs with a tiny bit of salt on the finish.”
Verdict: Like
These are lovely shortbread cookies that aren’t overly dry. They didn’t blow me away as super amazing, but they were quite nice and would pair well with a cup of tea or coffee.
McCrea’s
About the Company: “The company uses local, real-food ingredients and packages its caramel in beautiful compostable containers. Everything is made in America. In fact, McCrea’s is a Good Food Award winner, an honor given to outstanding American food producers and farmers who provide their ingredients. The company was also selected by Martha Stewart as an American Made finalist, by USA Today as a Best Gift for Foodies and by People Magazine for inclusion in the publication’s gala gift bags.”
Cape Cod Sea Salt Caramel
(5.5 oz Tube: $14.95)
Description: “Sweet caramel with savory flakes of coast a New England se salt. A walk in the surf.”
Verdict: Miss
While I thought the caramel had a wonderful buttery taste, I did not care for the sea salt addition. It was like eating caramel that accidentally got some sand in it. I’d have loved to sample one of their offerings without the salt.
Treat Bake Shop
About the Company: “Sarah started her culinary career as an early-morning bake in college. After college, she studied with a pastry chef in France and got a master’s in Library and Information Science with an emphasis on Collections and Food Research. She then started working at food magazines, went to Japan, wrote, and published a highly praised cookbook, A Cook’s Journey to Japan. All of her experience led up to the moment in November 2011, Sarah made the scary, but more-so exciting, decision to take the plunge and open Treat Bake Shop – business focused on sourcing the highest-quality ingredients to produce unforgettable baked goods delivered with exceptional customer service. Treat Bake Shop’s first product, Spiced Pecan, was inspired by her childhood friend, Sarah, and became an instant hit.”
Candied Pecans
(3 oz Bag: $5.95)
Description: “A salty-sweet treat with great crunch. Perfect with a little white wine…a creamy cheese…on salads. And of course, on their own.”
Verdict: Love!
This is so beautifully packaged and would make a wonderful wedding or party favor. These nuts were delicious and not overly sweet. And as mentioned in the description, they are a versatile treat that can be used in as an ingredient in a larger dish or paired with other savory components. My favorite item in the box!
Torie and Howard
About the Company: “Coincidentally, along the road somewhere, each of them experienced a health related event that would have a significant impact on their life. For Howard, Losing over a hundred pounds led to a renewed focus on eating as healthy and nutritionally conscious as possible. For Torie, it was the onset of severe food allergies that forced her to make serious changes in her life and in her diet. With a new dedication to nutrition in their lives and the relative lack of healthy, indulgent snacks on the market, it became apparent that the time was right to fulfill their dream of starting their own snack food company. And so Torie & Howard was born, out of a mutual love of delicious and all natural foods that soothe the soul and nourish the body.
Pomegranate & Nectarine Hard Candy
(2 oz: $3.99)
Description: “Unique, sophisticated sweets brimming with fresh flavors that taste of real luscious fruit-picked straight from the garden. You’ve certainly never tasted anything like these candies. Carefully crafted from all natural ingredients, the candies feature sophisticated dual flavors of tart California pomegranate with sweet freestone nectarine. No additives, no artificial flavors or colors. Just pure. fresh. delicious satisfaction.”
Verdict: Like!
These hard candies definitely have a fresh fruit taste, unlike so many that have a chemical or overly processed flavor. The tin is lovely as well and is nice to keep in your bag or car when you need a little pick me up.
OVERALL
Verdict: Hit!
Even though I receive this box free in order to review it, I’ve had some issues in the past with the price tag relative to the value you receive. This month marks a huge improvement in that area. The cost of a box is $25 and the estimated retail of the items comes out to $19.73, but that’s without shipping. The flat rate shipping just from the Treat Bake Shop would set you back $9.99. I don’t think a consumer would be able to get all these items for $25 or less on their own, so we’ll check off the value box as a win.
I thought the treats in this box had a nice variety and were all quite sophisticated. Orangeglad is a great gift for someone who you may not know super well or someone who you know in a less personal capacity – like a work colleague or business associate. It has a lovely high end feel and most people would find at least one treat in the box they’d enjoy.
Have you ever given a subscription as a gift?
If so, what was it and how did the recipient like it?
THE BACKSTORY
Orangeglad is an “artisan dessert box that sends handcrafted, unique and exclusive desserts each month. Eat delicious treats created by local artisan chefs throughout the country, and learn about the amazing people behind each item.”
Single Portion Box: 5 Deluxe Sized Treats
Curated from around the country
Makes 1-2 people happy
Cost: $25 per month (shipping included)
Double Portion Box: 10 Deluxe Sized Treats
Curated from around the country
Makes 3-4 people happy
Cost: $40 per month (shipping included)
Managing your account is easy. If you want a break, you can cancel or skip at anytime, with absolutely no hassle.
Coupon Codes: Use code ST10 for 10% off your orders
Lisa Preziosi 