Universal Yums is a monthly international snack subscription box. Every month you’ll take a trip to a new country and munch on brand new exciting snacks. This month they are taking us to Russia! There are two sizes of box, the Yum ($13) and the Yum Yum ($25). This is the Yum Yum box, and it’s a really solid subscription that shines each and every month. This subscription ships at the very end of the month so you actually get it the next month but this month mine came early so I was excited to dig right in.
This month we were treated to some fun goodies and yums from Russia. The beautiful information booklet that comes each month provides some extra insight into that month’s countries history and culture. The tissue paper on the top is always in the design of the that month’s countries flag. It’s a cool touch that sets the stage for your culinary exploration of culture. It also makes me think of Sheldon’s Fun with Flags from the Big Bang Theory. I always get a chuckle when I open the box.
This month’s introductory note talks about the frosty relationship between Russia and the USA and about a couple different dietary delights that they love and don’t really care for.
And of course, there is an in-depth description and background on all the items in the box.
It has a handy ingredient/potential allergen breakdown on it, and lots of details on the snacks.
Everything that came in my October box. The box itself didn’t feel as full but that was due to all of the smaller candy pieces that came this month. They actually had them all in their own little bag inside the box so that they didn’t get all tossed around.
3 Korochki Holodets & Horseradish – Holodets are a cold meat jelly that are usually made from pig feet, cow feet or chicken feet. Uhm no, thank you. Even though these are not authentic cold meat jelly I just couldn’t after reading what they normally are.
Korovka Baked Milk Wafers with Chocolate Glaze – These are more my flavor and they were really good. I do like a wafer cookie and these were about what I was expecting from the description.
Rot Front Chocolate Vanilla Candy – Contrary to what the name makes me think these are not named for what they will do to your teeth. They are named after a phrase used by German workers who fought for workers’ rights. These candies were actually eaten when the food supply dwindled in USSR and people did not have much.
Ruzik Vanilla Corn Puffs – My son ran off with these. He says they taste like puffs which he hasn’t had in years so not sure how he knows that but I’ll do with it. They are are a puffed food with a light vanilla coating. I agree with Universal Yums when they were interested in the packaging and they looked it up to find out that it is a hamster on a motorcycle that goes through magical adventures around Russia. How fun is that?
Skazochniy Strawberry Mini Sponge Cake – This reminds me of a strawberry twinkie. Do they even make them in Strawberry? I’m not sure and I can’t say I’ve had a twinkie in forever but this has that texture and feeling to it.
Orange Fruit Jelly – These are delicious and are a candy orange that looks and tastes just like a real orange.
Red October Toffee Krepysh – This is a chewy caramel made with ground peanuts and is one of the most popular candies in Russia.
Blackcurrant Candies – Blackcurrants are a small, sweet berry that can survive in very cold temperature so they are perfect for growing in Russia.
Alyoka Chocolate Bar with Ice Cream Filling – There is a whole story about how the socialist initiative in 1966 ran a contest for the face of the candy bar. This is the winner an unknown 8-month-old little girl and to this day it is still not known who she is. I’m not big on vanilla filling so this was a bit sweet for me, but my guys here all liked it.
Mikaello Chocolate Covers Apricot with Walnut – This is a walnut enveloped in an apricot wrapped in dark chocolate. I don’t really like apricots or walnuts so this wasn’t for me either but it is unique and different. The company also makes dried kiwis with dark chocolate, limes with white chocolate, and pears with almonds in dark chocolate. A very fine twist on the normal chocolate candies.
Russkoe Chocolate with Sunflower Seeds and Cranberry – I had no clue that Russia grows the most sunflowers of any country in the world. That is so interesting, as well as the whole story of how they got to Russia when they were naturally originated in the present-day region of the United States. Getting all the way over to Russia and then to be such a big hit goes a long way back. To this day, no Russian home is complete without a bowl of sunflower seeds on the table. As long as they are salted I’m all for it. I love salted sunflower seeds.
3 Korochki Salmon and Cheese – I’m guessing I’m not as adventurous as I think I am since I am not going to try anything that is salmon and cheese. I do like Salmon, however, in Russia they serve it seared with a thick layer of mayonnaise and cheese on top. Not my idea of a delicious meal but if you are up to giving it a try just let me know what you think.
Tula Gingerbread with Lakomka – My son love gingerbread and he says this was delicious. He actually picks gingerbread cookies as his favorite type of cookie so he was excited when I told him what this one was.
Can you guess which country is featured next? Clue: It’s the largest archipelago in the world!
Universal Yums is a big box of yumminess each month! Not only do we get to try new goodies sourced from the featured country but my boys are always interested in what’s included so we look up things up and have some great conversations. Last month Universal Yums told us we would have lots of chocolate this month and they did not disappoint. So many flavorful and fun chocolate goodies in this box. I’m pretty sure we all have a huge sugar rush going on right now.
Have you tried Universal Yums?
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