Review: June Degustabox & Healthy Brownie Bites

We all like receiving surprises in the post. And this is exactly what the Degustabox* food subscription box is. Each month, a selection of carefully selected new and innovative products will be sent out to you.

For the next three months I shall be trialling the products and reporting back. I'm hoping to try lots of new products and to try and come up with some different recipes and serving suggestions.

If you fancy trying your own box in July, then keep reading for your chance to win one.

Let's get started with the drinks.

I like the idea of these Zeo soft drinks; zesty lime and peach and grapefruit were included to try. They are promoted as being lightly carbonated water blended with natural fruit extracts, coming in at under 30 calories per bottle. Not bad for a soft drink, although personally, I feel these are a little too carbonated and could do with more flavour.

Next up, my favourite, Rekorderlig. I wouldn't say that this is a new product, it's certainly quite well known. Even so, I love the flavour and its brilliant served in  a glass packed full of ice, a squeeze of lime and some mint leaves. So refreshing!

Vybe natural coconut water is not something I've spotted in the shops before so was curious to try. Certainly very hydrating, but I'm not a fan of unflavoured coconut waters, however healthy they are. Instead, I use them to add into smoothies instead of using milk or yogurt. My favourite being, frozen pineapple blitzed with this coconut water to make a slushie!

And, somewhere in the middle, Icycl, a fruity frozen vodka ice lolly. With 6.4% of vodka and a blend of natural fruits, these will definitely get the party started. I will most definitely be purchasing these to stash in my freezer!

Now onto snacks and food items...

Coconom is an organic coconut sugar, something I've always wanted to try. So on the morning I received the box I powered up the oven and tried out the recipe that was included with the box. As a healthier alternative to sugar, this can be substituted 1:1 for regular sugar. There's no overpowering coconut taste, just natural unrefined sweetness. I've also been enjoying it in coffees and sprinkled over my porridge.

I'll leave the recipe at the bottom if you're curious.

I'd like to say that a balanced diet includes everything in moderation, but that most certainly does not happen in my kitchen. Two packs of Brioche Pasquier in two days for one person is quite the achievement. Throw one in your bag for the train, open one up after a gym session or fill up your desk drawer with them for emergencies. Most definitely not the healthiest of snacks, but they are free from added nasties.

Something I was the least excited for, Melba Thins, so I took it upon myself to try a few different options for lunch. When you think of it, just like ryvita, the combinations of toppings are truly endless. My favourite was peanut butter, banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon. 

I'm still to try the Love Chin Chin (crunchy biscuit snacks) and the Kallo rice snacks (salt & vinegar snacks and chocolate & caramel rice cake thins). Although I'm pretty sure I'll be relying on them to give me a boost at the desk post-3pm. 

print recipe

Coconom Healthy Brownie Bites

by Sophie Loves Food June-06-2015

Brownie bites made with coconut sugar, cacao and ground almonds.

Ingredients

• 170g dark chocolate chips
• 100g coconut oil
• 4 eggs
• 120g Coconom coconut sugar
• 60g raw cacao powder
• 60g ground almonds
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 30g white chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 180 degrees and fill a cupcake tray with paper cases.
2. Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a pan over a low heat. Whisk together the eggs and sugar. Slowly pour the melted chocolate over the sugar and eggs. Stir in the cacao, almonds, salt and vanilla extract. 3. Gently fold in the chocolate chips (if using). Divide evenly between the cases and bake for 10-12 minutes on the middle shelf.
4. Brownies will keep for a few days stored in an airtight container.

Details

Prep time: 10m Cook time: 12m Total time: 22mYield: 16 brownie bites

For your chance to win a July box of your very own...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Otherise, use my discount code for £3 off which will last until the end of October - 98VWM

The lovely people at Degustabox kindly sent me a trial to be able to share some recipes and serving suggestions with my readers and their box subscribers. I hope this helps you to try something different!

The giveaway will be open for a week, afterwards the winner will be contacted and details sent onto the lovely Degustabox folk. UK entrants only please.