See, Shop, Love!

Whenever I visit a new place the first thing I want to do is find a good place to eat! I love traveling and I love food, and Try The World is a fantastic subscription box that allows me to indulge both of those interests right from home!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Their newest box is the Portugal box, which I am reviewing here. As previously stated, Try The World lets you explore the world through food. Their in-house food experts collaborate with chefs who are experts in regional cuisines to curate each month’s box. Previous chefs have included Jamie Bissonnette (Spain box), Chris Jaeckle (Japan box), and David Rosengarten (Paris box).

What I like best about Try The World is they don’t just send a random assortment of products. Each item is sourced directly from the country of origin from small, family-owned companies and can be used together to create a complete experience. For example, past boxes have included items for a Spanish tapas party, a Japanese tea ceremony, and a Moroccan dinner date!

Try The World ships every other month, and when you subscribe your first box will ship within two weeks of your order. Here are their pricing options:

• Bi-monthly: $39 per box
• Every 6 months: $105 for three boxes
• Every 12 months: $198 for six boxes

• Briosa Gourmet Codfish in Olive Oil – Codfish, or bacalhau when in its typical salted form, is an iconic Portuguese food. Briosa Gourmet wraps their codfish in packaging reminiscent of hydraulic tiles, which is an art form where pigments are pressed into cement. The info card suggests cooking this into fried rice or blending it into a pesto.
• RARE by Quinta de Jugais Pumpkin and Hazelnut Jam – This premium spread is one of the most popular fruit spreads in Portugal! I love pumpkin so I’m excited to try this out. I think it will go great on toast for breakfast.
• Olivais do Sul Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – The info card says that this is bitter and slightly spicy and I think it sounds delicious. I love anything spicy, and I don’t usually think of olive oil as being so. The olives used to make it are grown in central Portugal and cold-pressed to preserve their flavor.
• Casa de Prisca Caramelized Onions with Port Wine – Port wine is one of Portugal’s most iconic spirits, which is something I didn’t know before I got this box. I had heard of Port wine before, but I didn’t know it was from Portugal (although, looking at the name now, it makes sense). This sounds like it will be great with cheese and crackers.

• Casa Lucena Cookies – These lemon cookies are crispy and buttery and are made with an old Portuguese recipe. I like eating them with my coffee as a morning treat!
• Hands on Earth Sea Salt and Lemon – Hands on Earth is committed to sustainability and healthful living, which is reflected in this product. It’s made without any pesticides or chemicals.
• IT Apple and Cinnamon Black Tea – I love tea and the apple and cinnamon flavor sounds delicious! This blend is made with leaves, flowers, and fruit grown in the mountains of Serra de Estrela in eastern Portugal.
• Paladin Piri Piri Hot Sauce – I have a recipe for Piri Piri chicken that I’ve been dying to try, and now I have the sauce to do so! This is a quintessentially Portuguese condiment that was first introduced to Europe in the 15th century when Christopher Columbus brought piri piri peppers back home.

I’m excited to try all of these Portuguese foods! I am not a huge fan of seafood so I think I will opt to try Experience Two on the info card, which is after-dinner treats. I’ll pass off the bacalhau to my more pescatarian friends.