Petit Amuse $10 Monthly Sample Box Review

Today I bring you my first product review!
I was approached by the founder of a recent San Francisco based start up called Petit Amuse and offered a sample of the product. Upon finding out the company operates like an online marketplace for artisan treats and delicacies made all over the country and even globe, I was thrilled. With artisan products generally difficult to find in regular stores I knew the foods would be unique and unlike the selections at the average grocery store.

The company name is a french term that refers to an off-menu one-bite appetizer specially prepared by a head chef to excite the palate. This is truly their goal – to provide new and interesting treats made by small independent food producers.

Petit Amuse offers a $10/month subscription (shipping included) which includes a sample box of 3-4 different artisan treats.

The company is tied in with the artisan treat makers themselves, which is further proved by the fact that they don’t profit from this monthly sample box. Instead Petit Amuse is betting on customers enjoying the treats in the monthly sampler and coming back for more, to order the full products themselves.

This is a policy I believe in.

It shows that a company stands by its products and is seriously invested in customer satisfaction and return buys. Petit Amuse seems to be focused on creating value for the customer, and their incentive is to pick only the best artisan products since their profitability depends on customers making purchases based on the sampler box.

On to the goodies themselves. I personally love the idea of receiving a surprise sample of artisan treats. Obviously as a food blogger I also share a passion for all things food related, and who doesn’t love receiving packages in the mail?

I patiently awaited the arrival of my sample box.

Upon unpacking it I found:

• 1 bag sundried tomato and Parmesan popcorn
• 1 jar wine jelly
• 1 Garuka bar
• 1 chocolate cookie
• 1 rosemary shortbread

On to the taste testing then.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Parmesan Popcorn:

As a popcorn fiend, before even testing out this flavor I knew I would be smitten. As long as it’s not kettle corn you really can do no wrong to popcorn (in my mind).  I found this popcorn to be softer than regular popcorn with a pronounced Parmesan flavor and a very mild hint of sun-dried tomatoes. I happily munched on the bag while watching a movie and would love to test out some of the other flavors.

ChaChas Chocolate Cookie:

This cookie was incredibly rich and you could really taste the quality dark chocolate along with a subtle hint of spicy. Though very dense, the cookie was not very crumbly and held it’s form well and just slowly dissolved in your mouth. These will be a hit with chocolate lovers all around.

Salted Rosemary Shortbread:

This shortbread was light but dense with a buttery aftertaste and a lingering rosemary flavor. Great for snacking, especially if you love the flavor of rosemary.

 Garuka Bar:

Before even opening up the wrapper I was already sold on these Garuka bars. In case you can’t make out the tag line in the photo above, the company explains the product as such; “Garuka bars is named after one the few remaining mountain gorillas ranging the wilderness of Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Garuka needs protection and you need all-natural energy. We’re working on both. This bar is packed full of simple, wholesome ingredients and a percentage of each sale goes toward gorilla conservation.” Save the gorilla and nourish my body? Yes please. Small companies with a cause really draw me in and when the percentage of each bar goes to gorilla conservation I’m happy to be a consumer. And that’s not all – the bars themselves are delicious. Chewy and sweet with a strong peanut buttery taste balanced out with slightly tart cranberries, these Garuka bars taste better than the store bought granola bar and with fresher ingredients I presume. I’m hoping to see these replace the average granola bar some day.

Ice Wine Jelly:

At first I wasn’t sure what to do with the ice wine jelly but a quick search on Google provided many options. I slathered it on a cracker topped it with prosciutto and gorgonzola and popped it in my mouth. For my first time tasting ice wine jelly I was pleasantly surprised. There is a slight taste of alcohol with the jelly also slightly sweet and very smooth. A great way to add a sophisticated touch to your next batch of dinner party cracker snacks.

Overall I was pleased with everything in my sampler box. The idea of receiving artisan treats in the mail is exciting and even more so when you don’t know what is in store for you. If you’re thinking the $10 price for only 3-4 sample treats is a bit high, think of any artisan products and how they are indeed always more expensive than the large super market chain store brand equivalent. Independent food companies’ products always end up being more expensive but the extra few dollars spent are worth it in terms of quality and taste. Now is the time to support independent food producers and turn our backs on the large industrial food conglomerates and I am happy to say that Petit Amuse has the right idea in mind.

If you’re not interested in a monthly sampler I recommend checking out the supply of products on the website itself – I’m sure you’ll find something crave-worthy.

*I received a free sampler box from Petit Amuse but all opinions expressed here are my own.