Best Lockdown Survival Kits For Foodies: Biscuits, Coffee, Cheese, Chocolate And Wellness

As government restrictions continue during the global Covid-19 pandemic, home deliveries flourish, with new meal kits, foodie treats and subscription options being launched on a regular basis. From cheese and coffee to gourmet chocolates and fancy biscuits, here is a selection of some of the latest and tastiest options.

Cheddar tasting box from Quicke’s, £30 (includes free UK shipping)

Many artisan cheese makers in the UK have had to turn to selling direct to the consumer after losing their restaurant supply business. Award-winning Devon cheesemaker Quicke’s has been making cheese since 1540. Their Cheddar Tasting Box showcases all of Quicke’s cheddars and comes with tasting notes and a flavor profile wheel to help identify the unique flavors and aromas.

Coffee kit from Terrone, £30.95 (free UK delivery)

Since 2012, North London coffee roastery Terrone has supplied premium beans to many of the capital’s best restaurants and clubs, including Pastaio, Kricket and the Groucho Club. Pivoting their business to sell direct to consumers, Terrone is currently offering a fabulous lockdown kit that enables you to recreate the cafe experience at home. The kit includes a bag of specialty single origin coffee, the extremely clever Aeropress coffee maker and filters, plus a box of Ever-So-English Breakfast tea from Joe’s Tea Company.

Coffee subscription box from Quirky Coffee Company £10.80/month

Coffee subscription boxes are also a great treat as we continue to be housebound and are unable to enjoy our favorite cafes. Among the numerous excellent options is the subscription service from Quirky Coffee Company that offers freshly roasted single origin speciality coffee from around the globe, in colorful packaging. The company’s coffees are all classified as “specialty” (single estate) coffees with scores by international coffee body SCA of over 80/100. Quirky’s Costa Rican tarrazu, a delicious, citrusy medium blend, scored an impressive 85/100.

Lindt chocolate tasting kit and virtual event £20

Swiss chocolatier Lindt has just launched a fun and decadent virtual chocolate tasting experience with their range of Lindt Excellence bars. A tasting box delivered to your door includes a selection of six 100g Lindt chocolate bars, a tasting card and details on how to register for one of the online events. Each hour-long interactive chocolate session is hosted by a Lindt chocolate expert who explains how the chocolate is made and which drinks pair best with various chocolate. Who would have guessed that pairing 70% dark chocolate with red wine creates a black cherry taste in your mouth or that Prosecco works well with orange flavored dark chocolate?

Cartografie, single origin chocolates from £7/box

For another really special chocolate experience, new chocolate company Cartografie, produces handmade single origin chocolates, available for home delivery, that are both delicious and use ethically sourced cocoa. The company was founded during the first lockdown last spring by Kae Shibata who is the Master Chocolatier (ex-Pastry Chef at The Ritz), Sven-Hanson Britt (Winner of Masterchef The Professionals – The Rematch 2019) and Daniela Nunzi-Mihranian (from award-winning Studio Minerva). Unlike some of their competitors, Cartografie’s focus is not on bean to bar; instead they bring in a delicious, established, single-origin couverture to create their chocolates. Their products include the Purity range; a selection of wafer-thin discs with a touch of sea salt made from their single origin couverture and their Cartografie range; a signature selection of filled handmade chocolates flavored with their unique water based ganaches and caramels.

Biscuit subscription box from Biscuiteer from £30/ three months

Working from home means it’s essential to have a decent biscuit supply on hand and better still, to have them delivered by mail. Biscuiteer’s products are so beautifully hand decorated that it almost seems a shame to eat them. A “Jolly Gingers” subscription includes one ginger seasonal character each month, in an attractive, slim box that fits easily through the mailbox. The subscriptions can be for three, six or twelve months, with a range of biscuits on offer.

Pure Package’s Positivity Package from £39.95/day

If you’re using lockdown as an opportunity to improve your eating habits and fitness, healthy meal home delivery brand Pure Package has just launched a Positivity Package. The new package is designed to take the stress out of preparing a nutritious daily meal plan, with a personalised daily changing menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks. Also included in the package is a “Joy Journal” to promote mental and physical wellbeing, a calming green tea explorer set from luxury tea house JING and Newton Wood Epsom salts to soothe muscles and aid relaxation. In terms of meals, Pure Package has earned plenty of well-deserved praise as its gourmet offering is carefully thought out and always delicious. The packages are nutritious and satisfying, with dishes like scrambled egg, roasted tomato and chives with organic rye bread, miso cod with sesame wild rice, kale and carrot stir fry and chocolate beetroot and hazelnut brownie.