EMILY WAY/TASTE OF HOME
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
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Show-stopping packaging
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Booklet with snack information
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Good mix of familiar and less common flavors
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One home good included
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Monthly themes are fun and creative
Looking for the perfect gift? We suggest springing for a Sakuraco subscription. Each box comes with a handy booklet containing cultural information related to the theme of the box. I had a great time reading about the Kamoi foods industry. It was also enlightening to learn about the red thread of fate, an intriguing part of Japan’s rich mythology. But my favorite part was, by far, the snacks!
The flavors of the Mentaiko Senbei offered the perfect balance of savory and spice, while the fermented chocolate danish was large enough to feed both my husband and I. This box also included a collectible Gifu ceramic plate, which was a fun and unexpected inclusion.
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
The exterior of the box is absolutely stunning. There is no mistaking how gorgeous and gift-able this snack subscription box is—just look at the pretty gold inlays and eye-catching floral pattern! If I received this in the mail, it would be obvious that someone wanted me to feel pampered. Heck, even if I’m ordering it as a gift for myself!
EMILY WAY/TASTE OF HOME
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
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Desserts baked right before shipping
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Well-rounded selection of flavors and treats
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Packaged with ice packs for freshness
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Nutritional information included
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Vegan dessert box available
Cons:
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One of the pricier options on this list
Looking for a cookie subscription box that also offers a few non-standard desserts? Phivi Artisanal Desserts offers a range of bakery-based box options, including a macaron box and signature dessert box. I sampled their standard dessert box. Each box contains eight full-sized desserts, freshly baked for delivery.
My box—received in January 2024—was a travel-themed box. It arrived well-insulated and with an ice pack, which was a nice touch considering the amount of chocolate in the box. Inside was a classy little envelope containing a card with the box’s theme along with a list of the contents. There was also a printout with nutrition facts, which I found to be a thoughtful addition for those with allergies.
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
Now, the fun part. I received an amazing variety of artisanal desserts, each with its own flavor profile. Included were a Nanaimo bar (coconut graham cracker with custard icing and chocolate ganache), Tim Tams (chocolate sandwich cookie coated in chocolate with malted milk buttercream filling), a Biscoff blondie, ube crinkle cookie, tiramisu brownie, Pfeffernusse (a spiced cookie with lemon icing) and a brown butter matcha brownie. All were delicious and fresh—I can’t wait to enjoy my next box alongside my favorite coffee subscriptions.
Sweets lovers, you’ll appreciate these baking subscription boxes, too.
REINA GLENN/TASTE OF HOME
REINA GALHEA FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
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Vegan and gluten-free options available
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Choice of small and large options
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Nuts can be removed upon request
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Comes well-insulated
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Each box sold donates 10 meals to combat childhood hunger
Cons:
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Fragile contents (like crackers) may arrive broken
Charcuterie is arguably the perfect meal. For a gathering of a few folks, it’s a complete dinner. For a party, it’s the ideal starter. After all, who doesn’t love a hors d’oeuvre spread of meats, cheeses and sweet and savory accouterments? Platterful’s regular, gluten-free and vegan charcuterie kits are a welcome addition to the world of cheese of the month clubs.
REINA GALHEA FOR TASTE OF HOME
A choice between a small board (which feeds up to four) or a large board (which feeds up to eight) makes it a good pick for both singles and families. An average large month’s snack subscription box typically contains three cheeses, two meats, cracker packs, spreads and three or more accompaniments (dried fruits, olives, candied nuts, chocolate or pickled items). We especially love the inclusion of an instructional sheet for a show-stopping board.
“I felt I had a well-rounded board with some less-common inclusions,” notes Deputy Shopping Editor Reina Galhea. “The dried mulberries were particularly surprising; I’d never had them before. My group of four finished the whole board over the course of an evening. This is a great fit for someone who isn’t super picky about having the highest quality ingredients but rather wants an economical choice that still impresses with variety and solid flavor.” Now, all we need is a wine club to go with it!
What to Look for When Choosing a Snack Subscription Box
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
When shopping for a snack subscription box, the first thing to consider is the recipient. If it’s you, great! You likely already have an idea of your preferences and dietary restrictions, which makes it much easier to find the right box. If it’s for someone else, like a candle subscription, you’ll want to consider the recipient’s preferences.
First, focus on diet. If you or the recipient is gluten-free or vegan, the number of boxes available to you drastically narrows. In that case, opt for a box that best fits your preferences. We found options that are sweet, savory or somewhere in between. For all of the above, you may want to check out something like the Goldbelly subscription, which sends a surprise cult favorite food each month.
Those who plan on gifting a box (or a multi-month subscription) should first have an idea of what their recipient enjoys. If they like learning facts about different cultures, something like Universal Yums might be the best option. Folks with less eclectic tastes may appreciate Platterful rather than one of the Japanese options.
According to Kyle Taylor, the founder and chef at HE COOKS, there are a ton of different types of snack subscription boxes, so it shouldn’t be too tough to find one for you or your giftee. “There are snack boxes that focus on international specialty items, healthy snacks, gourmet treats and just about everything in between.”
He also advises buyers to be cautious of budget, too: “Generally, the more unique and high-quality the snacks are, the more expensive it will be,” he says.
How We Found the Best Snack Subscription Box
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
First, we researched 50 different snack boxes, narrowing down our list to the top 30. From there, we looked into each box further, noting any customer reviews and ensuring that each pick offers top-quality curation. We wanted to ensure that our list included a nice variety of flavors. We also adhered to our strict quality expectations. After testing more than 15 different snack boxes (including branching out to bakery boxes, cheese clubs and other fun picks), we found that these are the best with considerations towards variety, price and quality.
FAQs
Are snack subscription boxes worth the money?
If you love trying out new snacks that you usually won’t find at your local supermarket, snack subscription boxes can definitely be worth the money! Taylor says that it can truly depend on who you’re shopping for and why.
“I can understand how the curated aspect of the subscription boxes is favorable,” he says. “And not everyone likes grocery shopping nor has access to the same things. So from that perspective, it’s worth the money.”
How much is a SnackCrate per month?
SnackCrate is another popular snack subscription box platform. While they didn’t make our list of the best, prices range from $13 to over $30 per month.
What is the best snack subscription box?
We think Bokksu is the best snack subscription box because of the variety, quality and cohesive themes.
Why You Should Trust Us
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME
As a snack enthusiast, I have ample experience tasting a variety of regional and local flavors. I am also the Taste Recipes shopping team’s resident food and beverage expert. My experience includes testing and reviewing everything from prebiotic soda to the best flavored coffee. When it comes to eating in between meals, I take my consumables seriously—there’s no sense in snacking on food that isn’t enjoyable!
We also spoke to Kyle Taylor, the founder and chef at HE COOKS. Taylor has an array of curated recipes on his site and Instagram, including a wide range of snacks.