And now, for the final chapter in our Universal Yums trilogy, we head to Poland. This box was a little heavy on the candy, but we’ll start with the savories.
First, in the box in the picture, we have Tapsy Cheese and Onion potato chips. These have the flavors of a pierogi baked into a crisp that has a texture somewhere between a Pringle and a rice cake–light, but somewhat substantial at the same time. I killed this bag fairly expediently.
Moving to the right, we have Beskidzkie Paprika Peanuts from Aksam, a family-owned snack food company founded in 1993. Paprika is as common in Polish food as salt and pepper is here. These peanuts are coated with a light cracker crust, then dusted with paprika, which gives them a subtle spice and smokiness that is not overwhelming. Beskidzkie peanuts also come in plain and cheese & onion flavors (I think I’m seeing a trend here).
On to the candy. . .
Below the paprika peanuts, we have Krowki Milky Cream Fudge. “Krowki” means “little cows.” Apparently, the Polish are really into sweetened condensed milk. Mix that with butter and sugar, and you get these sweets that are somehow not sticky.
To the left, in the red wrappers are Razcki Lobster Tails from Wawel. These take some getting used to, but it didn’t take me long. They are basically rum-flavored peanut brittle surrounded by a hard, minty shell, imitating the hard exterior of an actual lobster tail. This was my favorite treat in the box.
Above those is a Chocolate Plum from Dobosz in Trzebiez on the Szczezenski Reservoir in the northwest corner of Poland. This is pretty much what it sounds like–a filling made of prunes (from California, oddly enough) coated in cocoa, then dipped in dark chocolate. If you already like those flavors, rest assured they go well together.
Above that is a Milkizz, also from Wawel. Remember when I mentioned that the Polish are REALLY into sweetened condensed milk? It appears that the thing now is to buy it in a tube and squeeze it onto everything. Sounds a little strange, but not really, if you’ve ever done this:
(Disclaimer: I have never actually done that.)
(Disclaimer # 2: Neither should you.)
In any case, the Milkizz bar gives you the sweetened condensed milk experience wrapped up inside a chocolate bar, so what’s not to like?
And finally, we come to the Soleo Caramel Pretzels. Imagine Pocky sticks, except with a pretzel instead of a cookie and coated with the same milky cream fudge as the Krowki. I have been saving these, because they’re the last item of my Universal Yums subscription, and I’m kind of sad to see it end.
It doesn’t have to though.
Subscriptions start at $14/box for the basic size (like this one). There is also a Yum Yum box at double the size, and now, even a Super Yum box at TRIPLE the size. Subscriptions are available in one, three or six-month intervals.
So if you’re looking to add some adventure into your snack life, go GETCHA SOME!