Unsponsored Trove Subscription Box Review

The pandemic brought with it waves of restrictions and travel bans, effectively taking away opportunities for simple human communications and cultural exchange, whilst forcing small businesses and local artisans into the corner of extinction-level financial instability. The Trove subscription box aims at lightening the strain by bringing some of the destination’s experiences in a virtual format and by donating 20% of all Trove subscription box profits to the featured artisans and chefs.

We do not accept any money for reviews and neither do we receive any commission from reviewed products sales. None of the links in this article are affiliated. Below are simply our honest thoughts about the Trove Subscription box.

The pandemic brought with it waves of restrictions and travel bans, effectively taking away opportunities for simple human communications and cultural exchange, whilst forcing small businesses and local artisans into the corner of extinction-level financial instability. The Trove subscription box aims at lightening the strain by bringing some of the destination’s experiences in a virtual format and by donating 20% of all Trove subscription box profits to the featured artisans and chefs.

“The more we chat with artisans, chefs and small businesses that have been built on tourism the more we want to get the word out... to help support them,” explains Emilie Bridon, Trove subscription box Co-founder.

One of quintessentials of travelling is that soul enriching experience of meeting locals, learning their culture, tradition, getting to know what they cherish, laugh about, and live for. Trove co-founders Emilie Bridon and Erika Takeuchi build personal relationships with every artisan featured in the box in order to bring these experiences to your door.

“Each city we explore includes virtual cooking class, virtual cultural activity, snacks and goodies,” adds Emilie.

TROVE FLORENCE BOX INCLUDES

Cooking Class with Chef Patrizia Steccato

“Food and people are my passion in life,” says Chef Patrizia Steccato. This passion shows through in the food she will show you how to make during the live cooking class:

1.    Pappa al Pomodoro

This dish is a perfect starter. Hearty tomatoes and creamy sauce are the focus, while the sweet and savory flavor makes you forget that you used stale bread as one of the ingredients.

2.    Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi

This is the main dish: Gnudi are similar to gnocchi, but ricotta cheese is used instead of potato making gnudi not as dense. Gnudi are often called Italian dumplings because of their shape. Calling them dumplings might not be the most accurate description, though, as they do not have a filling or an outer layer of dough. Just imagine balls of flavorful spinach, creamy ricotta, and nutty parmesan.

3.     Schiacciata alla Fiorentina

The last dish that you will be making is a luscious dessert. This signature florentine cake is easily recognizable by the florence keystone made of cocoa on the top. The vanilla and orange are key players in the making of the cake, but olive oil is definitely the MVP.

The dates for live sessions are unfortunately over, but you can still watch the cooking class with Chef Patrizia Steccato on-demand.

La Ferre Autentico Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the star ingredients in Italian cooking, and it will be used in all three dishes you’ll be making with Chef Patrizia Steccato.

I was very curious to learn about the La Ferre Autentico history. For five generations, the company has tended their olive groves on ancient acreage in the picturesque Apulia region of Southern Italy, a fertile valley. They are nestled between the Ionian Sea and the hills along the "heel" of Italy's boot.

The oil itself is warm and rich, with a fragrant peppery finish. Made from hand-harvested Coratina and Frantoio olives, La Ferre Autentico Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a favorite of noted chefs in southern Italy. Lived experience also told us that it was a great way to finish any vegetable soup, pasta, and fresh green salads.

Orecchiette Pasta

Orecchiette means “little ears” in Italian, and that's exactly what they look like. This pasta, like the oil, also hails from the region of Apulia. It is made by the family-owned and operated Di Cuonzo, in the city of Barletta, and is delicately shaped to capture sauce and condiments.

We tried this pasta with the La Ferre Autentico Extra Virgin Olive Oil mentioned above and the spices we’ll talk about later. The pasta came out delicately fragrant, flavourful, and filling. Perfect for the coming colder days.

Calabrian Wild Spices for Bruschetta

This simply adorable little glass jar with handle-like glass detail contains spices that can be used for a wide variety of dishes: from tomato and basil omelettes to stromboli and everything in between. Featuring garlic, oregano, basil, hot pepper, parsley, salt, this mix is freshly picked from the hills of Calabria.

Whole Peeled Pomodori Pelati Tomatoes

These tomatoes are hand picked ripe off the vine between July and August in a local "Masseria", or Matera farm in Southern Italy. The heat of the southern Italian sun ripens the tomatoes to perfection and gives them a superb concentrated flavor. Pomodori Pelati Tomatoes make a perfect base for pasta sauce, vegetable soup, and meat sauce.

Almond Amaretti

These delicate almond creations were an instant hit at our editorial room. Perfect with tea or coffee, dipped or sipped, they can also be used as a base for a light no-bake cake. Also excellent crumbled over ice cream.

Sant’Eustachio Bon Bon al Caffe

A shot of liquid espresso from the famous Caffe' Sant'Eustachio in Rome is encased in each dark chocolate shell. The coffee beans, 100% Arabica, imported directly from small cooperatives, and once in Italy, are gently wood roasted to protect the sweetness. No additives or preservatives added.

The name of the cafe comes from the Piazza of Sant'Eustachio, where the company is located. Legend has it, that a brave Roman general named Placidus who served the emperor Trajan, converted to Christianity, and changed his name to Eustace (Greek: Εὐστάθιος  "well standing, stable, steadfast".

When Eustace refused to make a pagan sacrifice and denounce his newfound faith, the emperor Hadrian condemned Eustace, his wife, and his sons to death by lions. The lions should have killed them on the spot, but they did not: they stopped in front of him and his family, and did not hurt the family in any way.

Eustace continued to live on in the church that is across the street from the café, which was his house.

Peach Bellini sugar cubes

Photo: Peach Bellini sugar cubes--Unsponsored Trove Subscription Box Review-Brandscovery.com

When we unwrapped these handmade, all natural sugar cubes, we were greeted by a lovely smell. Drop them in bubbly for an instant Bellini, as the package suggests, or sparkling water or tea to keep it PG.

Watercolor Paint Set + 1.5 Hour Watercolor Workshop with Betty Ritschel

The Trove Florence box comes with a 12-color watercolor paint set, 2 special water brush pens, a watercolor pad, and a live (also available on-demand) watercolor workshop.

The watercolor palette’s travel design makes it compact and easy to use. We wish this item was made in Italy and not in China, though.

Eparé Champagne Glasses

The glasses’ design is probably best described as a contemporary interpretation of elegance. The double glass wall keeps your drink insulated while resisting condensation. The glasses are made of durable borosilicate glass, making them dishwasher and microwave safe. Like the watercolors, we wish this item was made in Italy and not in China.

A Virtual walking tour, Spotify playlist, key phrases, and a FREE surprise gift are also included with the box to get you in the Florence mood. There is currently 10% OFF on Florence box if you’d like to give Trove Subscription Box a try.