Reviewed by
Evelyn
Do you enjoy luxury French food and drink? If so, La Gourmet Box is a wonderful box that specialises in the very best artisanal produce that France has to offer. Each month, they visit a different region to provide their subscribers with a unique culinary journey that culminates in an exciting taste sensation for French foodies everywhere!
Recently, La Gourmet Box very kindly sent me their latest box which features a special selection of products from the Tarn region that boasts Occitan culinary delights, a blend of Gascon, Languedoc and Rouergue mountain cuisine. I couldn’t wait to open it up and see what was inside as I love sharing these boxes with my friends and family when they visit.
Here are the contents of the Tarn box:-
Winery: Domaine Carcenac, Cédric Le Jauret / Jadis Red Wine AOC Gaillac, 2016 (75cl)
In each La Gourmet Box, you’ll discover a delicious bottle of fine wine and this one from Gaillac is a beautiful red. Produced by a family-run winery located in the northern part of the Tarn region, 50 km east of Toulouse, this 12-month barrel-aged Gaillac red is a true delight! The barrel ageing process enlisted by the winery gives the wine a deep and lovely aroma and flavour, whilst notes of Roasted Coffee, Smokiness, Chocolate, Liquorice, Red Berries and Spices means that it pairs well with game, red meat or intense cheeses. We tried it with an after-dinner cheeseboard over the weekend and everyone loved it!
Artisan: Gaillac Foies Gras, Marquis d’Auregui – Traditional Artisanal Cassoulet with Pork and Duck Confit
The box was very heavy when it arrived, and this huge 840g tin was a substantial product to receive. Cassoulet is Tarn’s famous local dish that’s made with stewed white beans and meat. This cassoulet contains duck meat and pork sausage, the essential Castelnaudary beans, and tomato sauce loaded with fresh vegetables: carrots, onions, celery and garlic, with no artificial colourings or preservatives. It’s a warming and hearty meal that my mum and sister shared for Sunday lunch today and both commented on how tasty it was.
Artisan: Conserverie familiale, Nos Petites Conserves – Country-Style Pâté with Roquefort Cheese
For a pâté with a tasty twist, this country-style offering from the family-run artisans, Nos Petites Conserves, has been specially created with all-natural ingredients which are sourced as fresh and as local as possible, and it has no artificial colours or preservatives. It’s a smooth and creamy pâté that’s delicious on any kind of cracker or toast and it would make a lovely treat for your next hors d’oeuvres party.
Artisan : Ô Saveurs Terroir – Luc Jacque, Chef de cuisine et maître saucier – Curried Label Rouge PGI Certified Laurtec Pink Garlic
Anyone who knows me will know that I’m a massive fan of garlic (I absolutely love the stuff!), which is perhaps why I enjoy so much French cuisine because they really adore their garlic! This unique jar of Curried Label Rouge Laurtec Pink Garlic is a real foodie must-try and it has the most wonderful sweet flavour that can be used in a range of dishes. Made with all natural ingredients, it’s free from artificial colours and preservatives and is definitely something that I will be looking to purchase again if I can find it in the UK!
Artisan: La Ferme de Condarié – Tender Generous Duck Rillettes with Foie-Gras
La Ferme de la Condarié is a large traditional farm where barnyard fowl and ducks range freely, scratching, pecking and feasting on the wholesome crops (wheat, barley, peas and corn) harvested from its own fields. This free-range living results in a tender duck product and both my mum and my sister spoke highly of it.
Artisan: Maison Bruyère – Croquant De Cordes-Sur-Ciel – Tarn Almond Biscuits
Moving onto the sweet treats in the box (and La Gourmet Box have included an excellent selection!), this packet of artisanal Almond Biscuits are another local Tarn delicacy and this particular recipe has been perfected by Maison Bruyère over the years. These biscuits are absolutely delicious with a sweet flavour throughout and a moreish nutty crunch – yum!
Artisan: Le Soufflé Occitan – Salted Caramel Popcorn
You just can’t go wrong with proper popcorn and this Salted Caramel flavour is one of the best that I’ve ever tried. With no added fats or oils, it’s also much lighter than I expected and the kernels are GMO-free, with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives which is great to see. This was a very popular treat with everyone who tried it and the bag did not last long!
Artisan: La Fabrique Gourmande – Artisanal Occitan Chestnut Cake
The final product that we tried from the Tarn La Gourmet Box was this delightful Artisanal Chesnut Cake which is made by La Fabrique Gourmande; a small artisanal enterprise established in the village of Le Garric, in the northern Tarn region. This cake was so soft and moist with a decadent Chesnut flavour. It was very hard to not eat the whole thing at once and it was a lovely accompaniment to a cup of coffee and tea.
