As a self-proclaimed adventurous foodie, I was intrigued when I first learned of Try the World‘s global cuisine subscription boxes. Could a simple online order really deliver some of the planet‘s most craveworthy bites straight to my door?
After testing the service personally across numerous orders over the past year, I‘m serving up this comprehensive first-hand review for fellow flavor seekers. Read on for an authentic account of highs and lows unboxing Try the World to decide if this food tour suits your palate!
Introducing Try the World: Subscription Boxes Spanning the Globe
Founded in 2013, Try the World offers three core monthly food box subscriptions:
- Countries Box – 6-8 artisanal specialties from a featured cuisine/region
- Snacks Box – 6-8 packaged sweet/savory global nibbles
- Pantry Box – 6-8 international staple ingredients like oils and sauces
Boxes ship pre-packed based on that month‘s culinary theme – France, India, Korea etc. You can‘t pick exact products, but the surprise is part of the intrigue.
Try the World partners with small-scale producers worldwide committed to authentic heritage recipes and sustainable practices. Their mission – "to bring the people of the world closer through the discovery of new tastes and cultures."
But does real life customer experience live up to the lofty aspirations? I decided to find out by subscribing myself. Here‘s how the culinary journey shaped up first-hand.
Unboxing World Cuisines: My Try the World Ordering Experience
I kicked off my edible expeditions by purchasing a quarterly (3 month) Countries Box subscription, with my first crate featuring Italy.
Ordering online took just minutes selecting my preferred schedule before being billed $105 total upfront ($35 per shipment). After an eager couple week wait, I received notice my inaugural box shipped and arrived days later.
First Impressions: I loved the gorgeous packaging dripping in destination theme. Italy‘s tricolor flag and postcard worthy food photos set the stage for what I hoped would be palate paradise inside.
Box 1: Italy
Delving through crinkly styrofoam fillers unveiled my maiden haul of:
- Pasta – Fusilli (1 lb)
- Tomato basil pasta sauce (24 oz)
- Biscotti almonds cookies (7 oz)
- Baci chocolate hazelnut candies (4.4 oz)
- Extra virgin olive oil (8.5 oz)
- Lemon olive oil (8.5 oz)
- Aged balsamic vinegar (8.5 oz)
Quality Check: Right off this first box scored big. The vibrant vine-ripened tomato sauce, smooth extra virgin olive oil and complex 25 year aged balsamic overperformed store brands. Expensive and perishable to source locally, having these imported direct from Italy felt like privilege without the airfare.
The almond biscotti and Ferrero Baci chocolates also outshone grocery store versions with noticeable freshness in texture and flavor. As an Italian food devotee, I give this batch an enthusiastic A grade. Molto bene!
Box 2: India
Next my tastebuds toured India with:
- Masala chai tea bags (16 bags)
- Matcha chai tea bags (16 bags)
- Assorted lentil crackers (5.3 oz)
- Chili garlic cashews (2.8 oz)
- Mango chutney (10 oz)
- Tikka masala curry simmer sauce (10 oz)
- Garam masala spice blend (1.5 oz)
Quality Check: This second shipment seemed to prioritize shelf life over fresh appeal. While all items technically originated from India, the chai came in standard tea bags, crackers in a sealed sleeve and nuts/sauces in off the shelf jars.
Nothing wowed as handmade or gourmet despite vibrant flavors. Given the global region though with less established exports, curating authentic eats likely challenged. For everyday pantry replenishment it delivered but didn‘t dazzle. Grade: B-
Box 3: France
For my final country before cancelling my quarterly membership, France forwarded:
- Chocolate hazelnut spread (13 oz)
- Butter cookies (7 oz)
- Lavender honey (8.8 oz)
- Seasalt caramel candy (3.5 oz)
- Apple Poppyseed Jam (8.8 oz)
- Cornichons (7.7 oz)
- Mini chocolate chip madeleines (7 oz)
Quality Check: This box transported me straight to a Parisian patisserie! The herbaceous lavender honey, sweet apple jam, crispy butter cookies and flaky madeleines all rate 5 stars. I‘ll enjoy the boutique chocolate-hazelnut spread as a premium upgrade from Nutella.
The lone letdown – cornichons pickles in blah brine better bought homemade. With multiple stellar products though, Viva la France! Grade: A
Beyond unboxing my orders, I dove into wider consumer research around the Try the World experience. Here‘s what fellow reviewers report on the highs and lows of these global deliveries.
Try the World Box Contents: Hits and Misses
Analyzing Try the World customer feedback reveals while most enjoy the novel adventure, consistency varies orders to order. Here‘s a sampling of their greatest hits and biggest misses:
Product Hits 😋
- Authentic Italian pastas, olive oils and tomato sauces
- Decadent French chocolate, cookies and baked desserts
- Premium grade teas, coffees and spices from India and China
- Tantalizing Mexican hot sauces and tamales
- Japanese Kit Kats in exotic flavors like matcha green tea
Consumers confirm standout items live up to artisanal quality made the traditional way. These become pantry heroes you proudly serve guest sand don‘t feel guilty devouring yourself.
Product Misses 😒
- Bland Russian caviar lacking freshness
- Dried out Egyptian hummus and falafel
- Mainstream American brands like Oreo cookies
- Underwhelming Greek candy in novelty shapes
- Poor quality tinned seafood from Spain
When sourcing fails, boxes highlight drab grocery store caliber foods missing regional soul. These end up donated or trashed rather than treasured.
So while reactions depend on personal palates, curation inconsistencies mean even fans see misses mixed among marvels.
Cost Breakdown: What‘s the True Value?
Determining Try the World‘s worth also weighs savings versus sticker price. I compared buying my boxes individually against pricing items myself.
Here‘s a cost comparison on my 3 crates:
Box #1: Italy
Try the World Cost: $35
My Estimated Value: $51+
Box #2: India
Try the World Cost: $35
My Estimated Value: $36
Box #3: France
Try the World Cost: $35
My Estimated Value: $42+
Boxes ranged from equal to 45% extra value beyond my $35 subscriptions, averaging about $43 truly worth of food.
Pretty solid math even being conservative estimating specialty import shop prices. While savings aren‘t extreme, the sheer discovery and giftability offsets moderate premiums for globe trotting gourmets.
How to Make the Most of Try the World
Through first-hand trial and consumer research, I‘ve gathered some best practices to maximize enjoyment:
Be Adventurous
Approach boxes with an explorer mindset seeking discovery over expectations. Premium pink Himalayan salt may thrill while your friend swears by black Hawaiian lava varieties – taste is subjective!
Prioritize Perishables
Devour fresh baked breads, dairy products and produce promptly before stale or spoiled. Freeze meats and only product in airtight packaging keeps.
Repurpose Busts
Lackluster products still offer hope! Upcycle unappealing Greek candy into art project media or regift Spanish tuna tins to a pantry stock-up relative.
Contact Customer Service
Try the World reps earn positive marks for resolving issues with patience and understanding. Don‘t hesitate reaching out if damaged/expired goods arrive.
Pause or Cancel Anytime
With no obligation beyond month to month, skip underwhelming themes or remove billing hassle free anytime through your account dashboard.
Who Should Subscribe to Try the World?
If you relate to the following, chances of delight run high:
✅ Adventurous eaters seeking flavor discovery
✅ Home chefs desiring quality global ingredients
✅ Travel buffs wanting to taste the world
✅ Foodies who value supporting small producers
✅ Experience lovers open to culinary surprises
Alternatively, the unpredictability may disappoint those who:
❌ Require strict cost control
❌ Prefer consistent flavors and brands
❌ Insist on purely gourmet grade selection
❌ Won‘t risk even occasional duds
The Final Bite: My Verdict After Testing Try the World
While no service delivers 100% enthralling edibles month to month, my journey with Try the World brought delightful discovery beyond dismay.
Biting into stunning manchego from Spain, rich ramen noodles from Japan and cardamom kissed Turkish coffee more than offset a soggy pastry or bland barbecue rub miss among mostly magic.
If you prioritize punches of pleasure between occasional pitfalls, I recommend giving Try the World’s globetrotting boxes a taste. The adventures outweigh the missteps for flexible food explorers.
Just come prepared to parlay passion, creativity and humor into potential hiccups. Then you’re guaranteed fantastic fare fitting the flavors you fancy!
Bon appétit fellow foodies! If you still have questions before biting into global cuisine deliveries, drop me a line in the comments.
