TokyoTreat and Sakuraco Subscription Boxes

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Try these different gift ideas for Christmas with the TokyoTreat and Sakuraco subscription boxes delivered straight to the door!

If you’re stuck what to buy someone for Christmas, try a subscription box… they’re not what you think! Becoming even more popular during lockdown, subscription boxes cover a whole range of products now including these Japanese snack subscription boxes, direct from Japan. Each box contains a months’ worth of treats from top Japanese brands but the boxes have different qualities for different loved one. We were sent some samples (which we’re still munching our way through now!) to see what was in them and honestly, it’s a whole new world and adds a different dimension to gifting…

The TokyoTreat box is probably aimed more at children, or at least the big kids. Absolutely stuffed full of Japanese treats including brands such as Kit Kat but mostly brands you’ve never heard of, there’s chocolate, biscuits, sweets and even a whole Danish pastry! Some of the sweets are similar to what we would find in the UK or US but some of them are completely different.  Part of the fun is working out what’s inside the packaging but most of the packets are small enough that you can take a risk on opening it… I say most, there are some big packets of Japanese biscuits but luckily you can work out what’s in them before you open them!  The TokyoTreat we received this month was a Halloween special but each month they have a different theme.  Great for the family to fight over but also more exciting than a usual box of biscuits for the neighbours next door.

From the same parent company, we also received the Sakuraco subscription box. This one is more based on Japanese culture as it has other items in it such as this beautiful Japanese finger bowl.  There are lots of snacks in there too including a cat shaped biscuit, a bag of sharing biscuits, sweets and some green tea bags. The box is beautifully presented with products that support Japanese small businesses and promote Japanese culture, so you’re learning a lot too, and the enclosed leaflet gives a background to each product. Like the TokyoTreat, the content changes with each months’ delivery so you won’t get bored and the whole family will learn something new each month!

Sakuraco and TokyoTreat subscriptions from US$32.50 per box subscription: https://sakura.co/subscribe

https://tokyotreat.com/subscribe

It’s Halal Chilli Pattern Chopping Board

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

For the chef in your life, a chopping board is essential as part of the kitchen during meal preparation, and is always a great option as a gift at Christmas. It’s Halal produce a range of meal subscription boxes, all of which are Halal focused but they also produce a range of other kitchen products including this Chilli Chopping Board.

Measuring approximately 40 centimetres by 30 Centimetres, this clear board is adorned with red chillies but is mostly clear, so it can be cleaned easily but being clear, it means you can hide a recipe underneath to protect it, and still be able to read through the board as you prepare the meal. It’s made of lightweight Perspex and can be put in the dishwasher, perfect for children to use or for anyone who doesn’t like carrying a heavy wooden chopping board or is frightened of it breaking if dropped.

This month, It’s Halal are having a sale on their chopping boards but whilst you’re over there, have a look at the Halal subscription boxes. Meal prep for every day of the week and a changing menu you’ll want to try again and again!

Currently on sale for £10.99 at: https://itshalal.co.uk/product/chilli-pattern-chopping-board/

TokyoTreat Halloween Sweets

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

With Halloween round the corner, TokyoTreat have the perfect ‘Halloween in a box’ for you!  The snack box subscription company have their Halloween sweet selection for the month of October if you sign up now, and you’ll find Japan’s favourite snacks all in one box.

For anyone who loves Japanese chocolates and sweets, or if you want to snack on something novel for a Halloween horror movie, we found the TokyoTreat box perfect. Inside there are loads of snacks, most of which are nothing like what you’d find in the UK.  The exception being the Kit Kat selection – but in Apple Pie flavour!  There’s snacks in the box from all of Japan’s top brands including Hi-Chew, Pocky and Calbee. Yes, they’re all in Japanese and mostly difficult to read but… that’s the fun of working out what the snacks are! I must say, it’s a delicious way to spend movie night or if you’re feeling adventurous, then Halloween Trick or Treaters will have a blast with these snacks, especially when they try to work out what they are!

TokyoTreat subscriptions start at US$32.50 per month for a 12 month subscription. See their website for more: https://tokyotreat.com/subscribe

Spice Kitchen Subscription Box

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own

My New Year’s Resolution is to cook more from scratch, rather than relying on ready made sauces. I love curries but have never really tried making my own, so I was really pleased to be able to try a subscription box from Spice Kitchen Each box contains a selection of spices along with a handy recipe guide with plenty of tasty recipes to get you started. Using the spices with the suggested ingredients means you know exactly what is going into your dish and that all the ingredients are healthy and suitable for the whole family.

The subscription boxes are available as a 3 month or 6 month subscription which are posted monthly or quarterly – you choose the timings. The spices are different in each box

3 month subscription – India, Around the World, Middle Eastern & African Spice Collecion

6 month subscription – The same as the 3 month followed by Chilli, Moroccan and Flavoured Sea Salts

The spices are packaged in resealable plastic bags which are clearly labelled so that you know which spice is which. Each box contains enough spices to make over 100 meals so you can try plenty of different recipes with each box. Once you have tried the ones in the recipe guide have a look at the Spice Kitchen website where you will find plenty more.

I flicked through the recipe book and was spoilt for choice, all the dishes sounded lovely however after a lot of deliberation we settled on Chicken Biryani, one of our favourite takeaway meals. We had all the ingredients so were able to try it out straight away. The instructions are really simple and easy to follow and I was really impressed just how easy it was to create a delicious curry.

We served the Chicken Biryani with Naan bread and rice and the whole family loved it, it was flavoursome and had just the right kick to it.

Next we tried the Punjabi Chickpeas, again we had all the ingredients in and my son made this for us. He said it was really easy to make and there were 4 clean plates at the end of the meal, so this speaks for itself!

Now I know how easy it is to make curries from scratch I know this is one New Year’s Resolution that I won’t be breaking! The subscription boxes are a way to bring authentic Indian cooking into the home and would make a great gift for any keen cook or foodie this year.