Panier Box is a new French food subscription box. Everyone loves goodies from France and it’s so fun checking out these boxes. Panier Box focuses on providing a monthly box from a specific region. There are three sizes for this box – Goûter, Terroir, or Luxe – this is the Terroir box ($85). Terroir essentially provides the idea that characteristics of a certain piece of land or region provide specific characteristics in its agricultural products. It’s basically one of the ideas underlying the local movement here in the US, but the French have a much better way of expressing it. It’s also tied closely with appellation of origin laws. A Panier is a woven basket that you carry bread around in – but also your other groceries
The outer box arrived in a cardboard box, so everything was really well packed.
Information cards!
This is the primary information card, and the January Panier Box’s focus is on the specialty items of Alsace-Lorraine.
This is a very German area of France and Alsace borders Germany & Switzerland, and the influence on its food is apparent! I really like this region-focused idea!
You can see just from the architecture the German influences.
The box comes with a suggested menu.
All the items in the box! Everything was very well packed and arrived in perfect condition.
Mon Village Bretzel Classic – I didn’t know they called them Bretzel! This box is in french so it must be what they’re called. Even though they’re “just a pretzel” (no such thing!) I did find the flavor to be excellent and there is definitely a difference over your standard Rold Gold. It could be the wheat or the water or both – but they were really top notch.
These items were made in Canada – importing them is complicated and this is noted on the information card. Foie gras originates from Alsace, here’s an interesting tidbit on it! I think every region of France claims foie gras as its own.
Rougié Duck & Pork Pâté with Orange and Rougié Mousse of Duck Foie Gras ($44 together) I read from online reviews (these aren’t my thing as I find duck not to my liking – but my husband will happily eat them*) that the pate is chunky and you can eat it chilled or room temperature for easier spreading. The mousse should also be chilled and is a nice way to serve this item for appetizers – and probably more accessible to the American palate! Sending whole foie gras would require refrigeration and next day shipping (not to mention a 4 oz jar is around $60) so that’s why the mousse is included instead of the foie gras entire. This is a really nice luxury item and it made me wonder what would be in the other boxes. Traditional French cuisine is very different from even American high-end haute cuisine! Mousses and pâtés aren’t as common here as they used to be but I find them interesting. I love a good chicken or ham salad so perhaps I should eat these more often.
* I realize these are controversial products in the US, there are arguments on both sides, and should you wish to participate in that argument you can visit Gawker. French law states “Le foie gras fait partie du patrimoine culturel et gastronomique protégé en France. (Fois Gras is part of the cultural heritage and protected gastronomic heritage of France, so I believe it’s appropriate in this box).
Ducs de Gascogne Confit de pommes, caramel, saveur “pain d’épices” – Spiced Gingerbread Apple Confit – Served warm with foie gras, you could also top a cracker with some soft cheese and this confit.
And German on the other side!
Favols Les Créatives Confiture Mirabelle de Lorraine – This range of French fruit jams relies on the flavors of the fruits of France to create gourmet flavors. Mirabelles are a type of plum from Lorraine that are dark yellow and sweet and have a unique (delicious) flavor.
This jam is very fruity, which I love (as opposed to a jelly).
Nonnettes are a French/German dessert (very German to me!) originally produced by Nuns (nonnettes = “little nuns”) back in the middle ages! It’s like a spiced light gingerbread cake with honey orange marmalade in the center. These take several different forms and the southern ones are oblong.
It looks bready but the texture was cake like!
Bergamote de Nancy – These candies are flavored with essential oil of bergamot. This I found very unique (have never tried or even heard of before!). Apparently Rene II of Lorraine was also the king of Sicily (!) and pilgrims in the middle ages brought Bergamot back to Lorraine. Bergamot is used frequently in french perfumes and I thought these were quite tasty!
Yummy!
Visit Panier Box to subscribe or find out more. You can also find more international food subscriptions on the world traveler food subscription box page!
The Description: Every month, while you will discover new French flavors and what makes each region of France so special through their gastronomy, culture, landscapes and recipes. Be tempted and pick the box that fits your level of curiosity – Goûter, Terroir, or Luxe!
The Price: $30, $85 or $125 per month
The Coupon: check the homepage for a popup!
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