While waiting for the next snack box in my gift subscription to arrive, I received an email from the giver of such deliciousness advising me that the upcoming box would be from Russia and that Universal Yums was offering to switch that out for another country instead. I didn’t feel comfortable receiving and blogging about a Russian box given the current situation with Ukraine so I said yes please to the switch. Barely 2 days later my box arrived and I was a bit apprehensive that there hadn’t been enough time to sub in another box. Luckily though:
Once again, I enlisted the snack-judging prowess of my blogging partner-in-crime Donna, and a date was set. Then I had a thought and texted her to see if she had a French beret or two hanging around her place. I thought it would be funny to dress stereotypically “French”, while we sampled the goods. Of course Donna being Donna 😉 , she had to take it much further including a soundtrack while we “worked”.
Here’s what was included in the box, besides the guidebook:
First up, a bag of French strawberry chews. According to the book, we have France to thank for strawberries, and these particular candies were the top-voted Yum in the last two French snack boxes.
Next up was a bag of French Cheese tubes. The book advised us that French cheeses are better and so are their cheese snacks. We both agreed. So far, two winners!
Think of a really good cheesy Bugle-type snack.
We left “Savoury Town” and headed back to “Sweetsville” with the next offering: Pure Butter Sablés. The book explained that the name “sablé” (French for sand) came from how these cookies are made: by rubbing cold butter into flour and sugar to form tiny particles that look like sand.
After the cookies, it was time to try the other savoury snack in this box: Garlic Aioli Potato Chips. “Yes, you will get garlic breath. And yes, it will be worth it” the brochure opines. We have to agree. These were amazing. (Apologies to my hairdresser, who I met later on in the day. Thank goodness for masks, non?)
Salted butter caramels were next in order. Confectioner Henri Le Roux created the first salted caramel in 1977. Sir, we salute you. Hopefully in Brittany they have erected a statue of this god amongst men.
After waiting forever for me to finish my damn caramel, it was time for truffles. Apparently truffles were a happy little accident (RIP Bob Ross!). In the 1920s Paris Confectioner Auguste Escoffier mistakenly dumped hot cream into the wrong bowl, which contained chocolate. Rather than waste it, he rolled the paste into balls and coated them with cocoa powder, and named them of what they reminded him of: mushroom truffles.
Last (and probably least) were French Fruit Chews. I had the raspberry and Donna selected the orange one. Made by Confiserie du Nord, this family-owned company has been making bon-bons since 1912. These French “Starbursts” are supposed to be bigger, chewier and juicer than the American candy. It’s probably been decades since I had a Starburst so I can’t compare but I have to say my raspberry chew was excellent.
And here are the results:
France, you are a snacker’s paradise and we salute you!
Le Rock On,
The WB
Haha! You two are so… how do you say… mignonne. I was thinking that you really should have penciled in mustaches then there it was in the last picture. Your box switcharoo may have been to only positive thing to come out of the horrible war. No way could Russian treats be as good as French treats.
I agree wholeheartedly, Janis. Also, we WERE feeling quite mignonne…thank you for noticing! 💕
You and Donna are très chic and well-coordinated with your striped tops 🙂 Your rankings are very close.
Thank you, Natalie 💕
Nice you had the option to switch out. And vive la France! When you said French treat box all I could think of was a box full of pastries, lol. I’m surprised they didn’t have any packaged up for your dining pleasure, although it sounds like you didn’t need it.
Yeah, I’m very happy that the snacks were French – they were superb *chef’s kiss * even though no pastries were in the box. Thanks, AJ 💕
Oh you two make me laugh…and believe me I needed a laugh! Your French tuck was noted and le sigh…. so much fun Deb 🙂
Thank you very much, Debbie 💕 Always happy to make others laugh (at my expense, usually 🤣)
I think that’s a Deb thing, laughing at our own expense 🙂
I found this rather amusing because the French DO NOT snack, that’s why so few of them are overweight. I love how you embraced the French snack challenge.
That is my understanding too, Sheree! Thanks for confirming. Maybe it’s just for the tourists? Thank you 💕
Maybe……
Poirot and Edith Piaf.. two best. For film, I still love The Piano.
I’ll have to watch The Piano. I don’t think I ever have. Thank you 💕
Ha! You two are a riot… I love it. And will be expecting nation appropriate costumes from now on. Sounds like a little box of heaven from across the pond this time.
👍
Just tryin’ to keep it fresh, ya know? I think we may have raised the bar a little too high this time. Oh well. 🤷♀️ It definitely was a little box of heaven! Thank you, Rivergirl 💕
Mes félicitations! C’était magnifique. Que toutes vos futures collations soient aussi bonnes que les françaises 😉
You really are testing my high school French, you know that woman?! 😉 But yes, I hope future boxes are as good as the French one too. Thanks, Joanne 💕
This was so much fun, Deb. I <3 these trips around the world without us needing to travel farther than Nanaimo or Parksville! 😀
Me too. I love how you get right into the spirit (and more) with these things we do! 💕
This box sounds like a winner! Love the striped shirts. Not sure if I would have thought of that. I have a couple boat neck striped sweaters so maybe….
It was the best snack box so far in terms of flavour and quality…but of course it would be…being French and all that. Thank you, Kate 💕
I absolutely love the playful nature of this post and your interaction with Donna here. And those snacks make me want to take a closer look in the international isle of my grocery store to find something French. Can’t wait to see next month’s offering.
You and me both, Jean! How can this box be topped in terms of deliciousness, I wonder. Thank you 💕
What fun! Wish I was there.
Leslie xoxo
It was fun! Thanks, Leslie 💕
That looked like a delicious collection and what an amusing post. Hubby just asked me the other day why the shirt tuck is called “French?” Any idea? I’m also wondering if the snack company hadn’t already made a command decision to substitute. If not, they pulled it off in record time.Good for them, and for you two snackers.
No idea, Tracey. I agree with you – I think Universal Yums decided to pull all the Russia boxes. Thanks 💕
How nice with a French snack box! Your beret-ishs look fab. And regarding flavourings, in a course I attended a while ago, I learned that “natural flavouring” on a label means that it’s supoosed to mimic natural flavouring! So maybe artificial flavourings simply means… more transparency?
It looks like you both had so much fun!
Interesting to learn this about flavouring! Yes, we had tons of fun. Thanks, Susanne 💕
I love your striped tops and your ‘berets.’ And YES to the mustache!! Vous êtes très chic, LOL!! My French is from a million years ago so who knows what I just said. I’m TRYING to say you both look awesome.
Awww, thank you Laurel! 💕
What Fun! I didn’t think the French snack much either but it’s been a Lifetime since my Family was there… but, since they have offerings perhaps it’s for those French who’ve developed bad habits us Americans are notorious for? *Winks*
That has to be it! 😁 Thanks, Bohemian 💕
What a fun post and love the berets! It was interesting to see what would be in a French snack box because I would have said pate, cheese and bread! Thanks for hosting #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge. I wonder what will be in your next box of goodies?xx
Now that would have been a tasty box…and let’s not forget a nice bottle of French wine too 😁. Who knows what the next box will bring or where it will be from? Thanks, Sue 💕
I, too, was thinking “but the French don’t snack!” Not being a mushroom eater, I was slightly unsure over the truffle flavoured brie we purchased at the weekend – but it was absolutely superb (also said with chef’s kiss). This box sounds like an absolute winner – almost unfair to the next box.
I’m afraid the next box will be a disappointment after this one too, Debs. Truffle flavoured Brie? Sounds amazing. I just ordered a bottle of truffle oil. I am going to see if I can recreate the delicious truffle fries I ate recently using my air fryer. Thanks 💕
I just read the front page of The NY Times and now have finished reading this post. Thanks for putting a smile back on my face.
Happy to provide that valuable service! Thanks, Bernadette 💕
You two and your striped shirts and berets…you’ve made my morning. I love these posts. 🙂
Hehehe! Thank you, Kari 💕
Everything in this box calls to me. Yum. I need to get to France, obviously. I love your striped shirts and faux-berets. They say the clothes make the woman! N’est-ce pas?
Oui, oui! Absolument! Get thee to 🇫🇷. 😁 Thanks, Ally 💕
A little light hearted fun – which we all need right now. You guys did indeed set the bar high as did the snacks. Love your moustache. Bernie
Thank you, Bernie! 💕
Hi Deb – that looked like another fun time sampling French tempters … Wonderful the way you pull it together for us – Edith Piaf – oh yes … Poirot too. Did the hairdresser shave the moustache off you later on? Excellent the company decided to switch out the Russian box … love the bicycle on the box. Cheers Hilary
Hahaha! No, the hairdresser didn’t need to shave my “moustache” afterwards….the eraser tool on my Apple Pencil did that 😉. Thanks, Hilary 💕
I thoroughly enjoyed following along on your French Snack escapade – I don’t think I breathed a single time through your very engaging, entertaining & informative narrative!
My absolute favourite part of your adventure: Les Chic Chicks!
😁 Thank you, Ju-Lyn 💕
Funny post! Getting surprise snacks to rate sounds like such a fun activity to do with a friend. You two look like you are having a blast. I’d love it if you have time and want to link this post to my WQW this week about food. https://alwayswrite.blog/2022/03/09/wqw-five-senses-taste-food-recipes/
Thank you, Marsha 💕
Love this, Deb! The photo of you two French chicks is tres magnifique! 🇫🇷 💜
Thank you very much, HG 💕 We were having a lot of fun with this. 😁
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Oo, I have seen such a wonderful assortment of snack boxes lately! This one has a nice variety of treats in it; the caramels, butter cookies, and chips appeal to me most. 🙂
This has been my favourite snack box to date! Thank you Jaya 💕
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