Universal Yums is a snack subscription box that sends out snacks and candies from a different country each month. The contents of the boxes change each month as they highlight the best snacks from each featured country, but you can always expect a mix of flavors: salty, sweet, spicy, fruity, and more. Only authentic snacks from the featured country are included in this box. Choose from the Yum Box for $19.00 per month, the Yum Yum Box for $33.00 per month, or the Super Yum Box for $51.00 per month. (You also have the option to save by purchasing a 3,6-, or 12-month plan.)
This review is of the Yum Yum box, which is $33.00 per month.
Author's Note: This box had a price raise in recent months.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
With thirteen weeks of school left, I currently feel like I am white-water rafting down a waterfall, hanging on for dear life. While it is a bit stressful, it is also exciting, and to add to the excitement was this month's Universal Yums box. This box is packed with a perfect mix of sweet and savory snacks, and we couldn't wait to dive in. Read below to see what we discovered from the Netherlands!
What's Inside the Box
1 of 7
Every month we receive a fun, illustrated map that shows where our Yums are coming from. This month we received a map of the Netherlands packed with fun trivia. The back side hosts the usual Yum Scoreboard and scavenger hunt. Also included in this box is a helpful pamphlet that guides you through a typical day in the Netherlands via trivia, recipes, photography, and activities. Delicious AND educational!
Gouda Cheese Crispies - Buy a pack of 2 for $4.20
1 of 3
Authentically Dutch, these tasty gouda cheese crispies are not only crunchy, but salty and cheesy to boot. Tasting similar to a parmesan Cheez-It, these layered rectangles are fantastic by themselves, but would also be a delicious addition to a salad.
Organic Sea Salt & Pepper Chips - Buy a pack of 2 for $6.80
1 of 3
Salt and pepper chips are some of my favorite, but this organic version was a little bland for my liking. Extremely crispy, and a little oily, these chips taste similar to Dutch Crunch chips, but with a lot less flavor. Overall, these were good chips, but needed a little more seasoning.
Hazelnut Cream Milk Chocolate
1 of 3
Chocolate is one of my favorite things in life and when paired with hazelnut, I just can't resist! Not only is this particular chocolate bar creamy and sweet, but the label depicts the 1897 reading board that helped generations of Dutch children learn to read. Both the kids and Dustin gave this bar two thumbs up!
Speculoos Spice Cookies - Buy a pack of 4 for $4.40
1 of 3
I'm usually not a big fan of gingerbread, so I wasn't looking all that forward to these busted up little men, but because they are actually spice cookies, they are a lot sweeter and less bitter than gingerbread. Pairing fantastically with a cup of coffee, these adorable men are a definite winner this month!
Caramel Stroopwafels - Buy a pack of 2 for $6.40
1 of 3
Speaking of coffee, another winner this month was this pair of caramel stroopwafels. These waffles contain a caramel filling that gets a little gooey when perched on the top of a steaming cup of joe, and was definitely a favorite in our house this month.
Fruity Candy Cars - Buy a pack of 3 for $5.10
1 of 3
Charlie is a fruit snack fanatic, so when he caught a glimpse of this pack of gummy candy cars, he was pumped. A little more chewy than a traditional gummy, they came in strawberry, blackcurrant, and cherry flavors. Super sweet and in the best flavors possible, we loved these gummies so much! We only wished the package would have been a bit larger in size.
Milk Chocolate Coconut Cookies - Buy a single pack for $8.90
1 of 4
One of this month's largest treats was this package of milk chocolate coconut cookies. Beautiful in shape and design, these long rectangles were smothered in chocolate and sprinkled with coconut. Crispy, chocolatey, and delicious, these are even tasty to a gal that doesn't particularly care for coconut.
Salted Caramel Popcorn - Buy a single pack for $5.80
1 of 3
I am a popcorn addict, and this sweet, puffy caramel version is top notch. Each kernel was puffed to perfection and embodied the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Honestly, this is some of the best caramel popcorn I have ever eaten, and will definitely be grabbing some more from the Yum Shop.
Salty Licorice Candies - Buy a two pack for $8.80
Down to the last three snacks of the box, and so far, everything has been real tasty. That is until these little salty licorice candies. Interestingly enough, this Dutch staple is hotly debated in many other parts of the world, whether this candy was good or not. I have to say absolutely not, but that's just me. I don't like licorice that much, and find this strangely bitter and salty, and not in a good way. Eekkk!
Cappuccino Pralines
After the disaster of the licorice ball, we were greeted with these yummy cappuccino pralines. Large truffles filled with coffee cream, these aren't overly coffee flavored, but have the best espresso flavor you could ask for when paired with chocolate. They're sweet, creamy, and peppy—I am all for these truffles!
Cheddar & Onion Crispies - Buy a single pack for $4.50
1 of 3
The last item in this month's box was a package of cheddar and onion crispies. They're similar in texture to the gouda crispies, but this version is quite oniony. The onion definitely overpowers the cheddar flavoring, but are still pretty good. Tasty by themselves, or sprinkled onto a salad, this Yum was alright, but you might want to have a stick of spearmint gum handy for the after effects!
The Verdict
With basketball coming to an end, and spring in the near future, March is looking real bright, and Universal Yums has kicked it off to a good start. With a perfect mix of sweet and savory snacks, this was a great box, as we only really didn't like one item. (I'm talking about you, salty licorice balls!) Overall, this box was delicious, and created an enjoyable and educational experience for my family. We already can't wait to see what's in store for April. Where do you think we will be headed next?
Scorecard Picks:
- Favorite: Speculoos Spice Cookies
- Runner-Up: Fruity Candy Cars
- Worst Yum: Salty Licorice Balls
- Most Unusual: Salty Licorice Balls
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, as of this review's publication, if you sign up now you can choose to receive the Brazil or the Netherlands box.
Value Breakdown: This box is $33.00 per month (including shipping). I received 17 individually wrapped snacks which average out to $1.94 per item.
Which Universal Yums snack would you most like to try?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.