Our SnackVerse adventure continues with a delayed delivery, a small subscription price increase and a brand-new selection of snacks from Portugal!
SnackVerse has already swept me off to Hungary and Spain, serving up everything from those five-rocket gems to a fried-egg crisp I’m still trying to erase from memory. Spain just about snuck away with the first SnackVerse crown, thanks to the slimmest wafer-thin lead. So, naturally, I was counting down the days to see where the next box would whisk me off to, and if our third stop might just nudge Spain off its snacky throne.
There was just one tiny hiccup: the box was running fashionably late.
While I was off on holiday, an email from SnackVerse popped up to let me know the boxes would be delayed until mid-August. Turns out, some of the original snacks didn’t quite make the cut, so they needed a bit more time to hunt down better replacements. Honestly, I have to give them credit. I’d much rather wait a little longer for snacks they’re truly proud of than end up with something that doesn’t quite hit the mark. Plus, I really appreciated the update—so much nicer than sitting at home wondering if my box had wandered off on its own adventure.
When the long-awaited box finally arrived, it felt like a proper treat—almost 2kg of snacks, packed so tightly there was barely a sliver of space left inside. I lifted the lid, heart doing a little drumroll, to see where we’d be heading next.
Portugal! 🇵🇹
Inside, I found four savoury snacks, fifteen sweet treats, and two drinks – twenty-one Portuguese goodies all lined up and ready for their moment in the spotlight.
Portugal has shown up with a mountain of sweet treats, two drinks ready for a friendly face-off, and the reigning Spanish champion waiting in the wings. Time to grab my rockets and let the Portuguese snack crumbs fly.
🌍 This Month’s Snack Stop
Destination: Portugal 🇵🇹
Month: August 2026
Box: Premium
Price: £24.99
Weight: Nearly 2kg
Inside: 4 savoury snacks, 15 sweet treats and 2 drinks
Total Products: 21
Previous Destination: Spain 🇪🇸
Current SnackVerse Champion: Spain 🇪🇸
Portugal’s box didn’t just arrive, it made an entrance. Even before I’d opened it, the weight alone hinted at something special inside. Lifting the lid felt a bit like opening a treasure chest, and honestly, it was packed to the brim. Every little corner was filled, and right on top was a generous pile of sweets just waiting to be discovered. Out of the 21 treats tucked inside, 15 were sweet, so Portugal clearly came ready to give Spain a run for its money in the dessert department. The four savoury snacks might have been outnumbered, but I have a soft spot for an underdog, so who knows—maybe a new favourite is hiding in there. And as a little bonus, there were two drinks this time, which felt like a small but very welcome upgrade after Spain’s solo offering.
While I was off living my best snack-filled life, SnackVerse quietly slipped an email into my inbox about a small price increase. The Premium Box is now £24.99 a month instead of £23.99. Honestly, with everything creeping up in price these days, an extra pound doesn’t feel too wild—especially when the box is this full and everything inside has made the journey from Portugal. If you’re a numbers person, that’s about £1.19 per treat. But let’s be real, the real test is in the tasting, so I’ll hold off on any grand verdicts until I’ve nibbled my way through the lot.
One thing’s for sure: Portugal didn’t tiptoe in. It showed up with a bit of fanfare, and I’m here for it.
📖 Inside the Travel Booklet
If you’ve joined me for the Hungary and Spain editions, you’ll already know that the SnackVerse booklet is part snack guide, part miniature travel magazine and another enjoyable part of the whole experience.
Alongside descriptions of the included products and useful allergen information, the Portugal booklet explores the country’s food, culture, traditions and places to visit.
Most interesting fact: The World’s Oldest Bookstore: Tucked away in Lisbon’s Chiado district sits Livraria Bertrand, certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Opened in 1732, it has survived earthquakes, revolutions and centuries of literary history.
Dish I’d most like to try: Francesinha (just take off the fried egg!)
Featured recipes: Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken (love Nando’s so will definitely try this orginal one!)
Destination added to my travel list: Lagos
Favourite booklet page: The recipe pages..need to plan to do the peri peri chicken!
With this being my third box, I’m beginning to really look forward to exploring the booklet alongside the actual taste test. The snacks might be the main attraction, but all the little facts, recipes and travel ideas help each box feel like a proper visit to somewhere new rather than simply a collection of imported treats.
🚀 A Quick Reminder of the Ratings
Every product will receive a score using SnackVerse’s rocket-rating system:
🚀 Grounded Grub — Not for me
🚀🚀 Mild Mission — It was okay
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour — Pretty tasty
🚀🚀🚀🚀 Lunar Delight — A definite favourite
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 Cosmic Craving — I’d buy this again and again
Rockets at the ready.
Let the Portuguese snack tasting begin!
🍿 The Great Portuguese Taste Test
There’s an almost two-kilogram mountain of snacks sitting in front of me, with everything from large bags of crisps and individually wrapped cakes to chocolate umbrellas, fruit sweets, and two very colourful drinks waiting for their moment in the spotlight. Portugal’s box contains a mixture of recognisable brands—including Lay’s, Cheetos, Fini, and Bugles—alongside several Portuguese names I’ve never tried before. The sweet side is definitely doing most of the heavy lifting this month, with 15 treats competing for the crown compared with only four savoury snacks. However, fewer savoury options doesn’t necessarily mean weaker competition!
I’ve also spotted two banana-flavoured products in the collection. If you know me, you’ll already know how I feel about that.
Some products look comforting and familiar. Others are giving me that slightly suspicious, what exactly have I agreed to put in my mouth? feeling. Only one way to find out…
🥨 Savoury Snacks
Portugal has arrived at the snack table with four savoury treats, a mix of familiar faces and a few flavours that feel like a postcard from Lisbon tucked into a crisp packet.
We’ve got cheesy Cheetos sticks ready for a snack-time encore, crunchy Bugles that practically beg to be worn on your fingertips, ham-flavoured ridged crisps that taste like a little holiday, and a bag of Lay’s Campesinas—complete with a surprise cameo from David Beckham, because apparently even football legends can’t resist a good crisp.
So, will Portugal serve up another five-rocket savoury wonder, or will Hungary’s cheese-and-onion crisps keep their crown as reigning champions of the SnackVerse? Only one way to find out—and I’m more than happy to volunteer as tribute.
💭 My Honest Review
Cheese and bacon isn’t a flavour combination I would’ve immediately thought of for a crisp, so I genuinely couldn’t decide whether this was going to be surprisingly good or a little bit strange.
As it turns out…it was neither!
The cone-shaped Bugles had a nice light, crunchy texture, but the seasoning was much milder than I expected. I could pick up a little cheese and bacon, although neither flavour came through strongly enough to make much of an impression.
I didn’t mind them and would happily finish the packet, but they were ultimately a bit bland. With such a promising flavour combination, I wanted the seasoning to have much more punch.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀 Mild Mission
A light and crunchy corn snack with a cheese-and-bacon combination that sounded much more exciting than it tasted.
I didn’t dislike them, but the seasoning was too mild and left the whole snack feeling a little bland. Perfectly edible—just not particularly memorable.
📖 Official Description
A delightfully crisp, cone-shaped snack from Lay’s, these iconic 3D horns combine a tiny crunch with an irresistible flavour duo. Made from golden corn and seasoned with a mouth-watering blend of rich cheese and smoky bacon flavours, every bite delivers a bold, savoury punch. Of course, half the fun is popping them onto your fingertips before munching!
💭 My Honest Review
Cheese and tomato ketchup already felt like a much safer combination than the cheese-and-bacon Bugles—and thankfully, these were much more enjoyable!
The Palitos had that familiar light and crunchy Cheetos texture, but surprisingly, they weren’t particularly cheesy. Normally, I’d expect anything carrying the Cheetos name to leave a very obvious cheese-flavoured dusting behind, but the tomato ketchup was definitely the stronger flavour here.
Luckily, I really liked the ketchup seasoning. It was tangy, slightly sweet and gave the sticks much more flavour than I expected after the rather bland Bugles.
A little more cheese would’ve balanced everything nicely, but I still rather enjoyed these and happily kept reaching into the packet.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
Light, crunchy Cheetos sticks with a tasty tomato-ketchup flavour and only the faintest hint of cheese.
They didn’t deliver the usual cheesy Cheetos experience, but I enjoyed the ketchup seasoning enough that I didn’t particularly mind!
📖 Official Description
These crunchy Cheetos sticks bring together two much-loved flavours in one irresistibly moreish bite. Featuring their signature light, airy corn texture, each stick is generously dusted with a delicious seasoning that balances tangy tomato ketchup with a savoury hint of cheese. Bold and packed with flavour, they deliver a fun twist on the classic Cheetos crunch.
💭 My Honest Review
Now these were much more like it!
Lay’s Camponesas have a vegetable-inspired seasoning, and I could immediately taste the tomato and paprika. The tomato added a lovely slightly sweet and tangy flavour, while the paprika brought a gentle savoury warmth without making the crisps spicy.
Everything worked really well together. The seasoning had plenty of flavour without becoming overpowering, and the classic light, crispy Lay’s texture made them dangerously easy to keep eating.
It was also rather nice seeing David Beckham’s face on the packet! I know the special packaging was part of the World Cup promotion, but Beckham appearing among my Portuguese snacks was still a welcome little bonus.
They tasted different enough from the usual crisp flavours we find in the UK to feel like a proper Portuguese discovery—and I really enjoyed them.
These aren’t simply crisps I’d eat again if another packet appeared. I’d genuinely try to find them again!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 Cosmic Craving
Crispy potato crisps with a delicious vegetable seasoning where the tomato and paprika came through beautifully—with David Beckham’s face providing an unexpected bonus!
Full of flavour, incredibly moreish and something I’d actively hunt down again. Portugal has officially delivered its first five-rocket snack!
📖 Official Description
One of Lay’s most popular flavours in Portugal, these golden potato crisps are packed with vibrant Mediterranean character. Seasoned with a perfectly balanced blend of garden vegetables and aromatic spices—including tomato, onion, garlic and parsley—every bite delivers a delicious, lightly smoky and savoury flavour with a classic light, crispy crunch. A long-standing Portuguese favourite with a distinctive countryside-inspired taste.
💭 My Honest Review
Apparently, Europe really loves bacon-flavoured crisps because this is now the third SnackVerse box in a row to include some version of them!
These are officially flavoured with presunto, Portugal’s dry-cured ham, but once again, they simply tasted like strong bacon crisps to me. The seasoning was smoky and meaty, while the ridged crisps gave them a satisfying crunch.
There was nothing wrong with them, and I’d happily eat them if a packet was already open. However, they tasted much the same as the other bacon and ham-flavoured crisps I’ve already tried.
Perfectly fine—just not different or memorable enough to make me want to find them again.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀 Mild Mission
Crunchy ridged crisps with a strong bacon flavour that tasted very similar to the other European ham-flavoured crisps I’ve tried.
They were fine, but after receiving this flavour in all three SnackVerse boxes so far, I’m ready for Europe to send something different!
📖 Official Description
A Portuguese crisp favourite, these crunchy, ridged potato crisps are seasoned with the rich, savoury flavour of presunto—Portugal’s famous dry-cured ham. Golden and satisfyingly crisp, they deliver a deliciously salty, meaty flavour with every bite. A distinctly Portuguese twist on the classic potato crisp.
🏆 Savoury Snack Champion
Winner: Lay’s Camponesas
Portugal only gave us four savoury snacks, but it still managed to produce one of the best crisps from the entire SnackVerse journey so far.
The tomato and paprika flavours came through beautifully, creating a savoury vegetable seasoning that had plenty of flavour without becoming overpowering. Combine that with the familiar light Lay’s crunch, and the packet became dangerously easy to keep reaching into.
It was also rather nice having David Beckham’s face on the World Cup packaging. Not necessarily essential to the flavour, admittedly—but certainly a welcome little bonus!
The other savoury snacks ranged from enjoyable ketchup-flavoured Cheetos to yet another pair of bacon-flavoured crisps. Nothing came close to the Camponesas.
These weren’t simply crisps I’d happily eat again. They’re ones I’d actively try to find.
🍫 Sweet Treats
Portugal’s sweet selection has a way of calling out to you, like a display you can’t help but linger over, even if you only meant to peek.
Inside, there’s a little treasure trove of 15 different treats, from chocolate wafers and cocoa-filled croissants to choux biscuits that look like they belong in a bakery window, plus chewy fruit sweets and a handful of playful novelties.
There are a few familiar faces from Regina tucked inside, but also plenty of new names that feel like a bit of an adventure. Some classics—chocolate and biscuit, always a safe bet—but then you spot a chocolate umbrella, fruit-flavoured chewing gum, and a big bag of sweets shaped like fingers, and suddenly it feels like you’ve stumbled into a particularly whimsical corner shop.
And then, of course, there are the banana sweets. Every box has its wildcard. I have a feeling those might be best shared with someone a little braver than me.
Spain currently holds the sweet crown thanks to the Filipinos White Chocolate and Nocilla Barritas Cookies & Cream, which both earned a full five rockets.
But Portugal isn’t out of the running yet—there’s still plenty of sweet potential waiting to be unwrapped.
💭 My Honest Review
This tasted pretty much like the chocolate cereal bars we can already find here in the UK—but that certainly wasn’t a bad thing.
The cereal seemed like a mixture of Coco Pops and Cornflakes, giving the bar plenty of light crunch with a familiar chocolatey flavour. It was sweet without being too heavy and would make an easy little lunchbox or afternoon snack.
There wasn’t anything particularly unusual or distinctly Portuguese about it, so it didn’t feel like an exciting new discovery. Still, it was quite nice, and I’d happily eat another if one appeared in front of me.
Sometimes familiar and simple does the job perfectly well!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
A light and crunchy chocolate cereal bar that tasted like a mixture of Coco Pops and Cornflakes.
Nothing especially new or memorable, but it was familiar, enjoyable and quite nice as a quick sweet treat.
📖 Official Description
A fun chocolatey treat from Portuguese favourite Nacional, this crunchy cereal bar is packed with crisp chocolate cereal petals and finished with a tasty milk-chocolate base. Light, crispy and full of flavour, it offers a delicious contrast between crunchy cereal and creamy sweetness. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a midday pick-me-up or any time you fancy enjoying the much-loved Chocomax flavour.
💭 My Honest Review
These were a simple little treat, but I really liked them!
They’re traditional hard-boiled sweets, so rather than being something I’d quickly chew and finish, I could happily let one slowly dissolve whenever I fancied something sweet.
The flavour was pleasantly fruity and sweet without becoming too intense. There was nothing complicated or especially adventurous about them, but that was part of their charm. They reminded me of the kind of old-fashioned boiled sweets you might find tucked inside a sweet jar at your grandparents’ house.
They were ideal for keeping nearby and slowly sucking on whenever the need for a little sugary treat appeared!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
A pleasantly fruity, traditional hard-boiled sweet that was perfect whenever I fancied a small sugary pick-me-up.
Simple, enjoyable and easy to keep reaching for—although perhaps not quite exciting enough to become a proper favourite.
📖 Official Description
A nostalgic Portuguese confection, this traditional hard-boiled sweet is instantly recognisable by its distinctive opaque-white appearance. Firm and smooth, it slowly dissolves to reveal its classic tutti-frutti flavour. Simple, sweet and full of old-school charm, it’s a classic taste of Portuguese confectionery.
💭 My Honest Review
I couldn’t quite decide whether it was the dark chocolate, the biscuit underneath or simply the combination of the two—but these really weren’t my thing.
The biscuit had a crisp texture and one side was coated in a generous layer of chocolate. Unfortunately, the overall flavour tasted a little too dark and bitter for me, without enough sweetness to balance it out.
Perhaps I made a tactical error by eating it on its own. It might have worked much better dipped into a proper cup of tea, where the biscuit could soften slightly and the bitterness of the chocolate might feel less noticeable.
Still, if a biscuit needs a brew to rescue it, it probably isn’t going to become one of my favourites!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀 Grounded Grub
A crisp chocolate-coated biscuit that simply wasn’t to my taste.
I’m not entirely sure whether the dark chocolate or the biscuit itself was responsible—but perhaps I should’ve given it one final chance alongside a proper cuppa!
📖 Official Description
A hugely popular Portuguese favourite, these distinctive thin, crispy biscuits are generously coated on one side with a smooth layer of chocolate. With more than 100 million Saborosa Belgas enjoyed every year, they’ve become a true classic and the perfect companion to a cup of coffee or tea.
💭 My Honest Review
I don’t just want another one of these—I need to find an entire case full!
Underneath the bright wrapper was a solid milk-chocolate umbrella, complete with its own little curved handle. It was such a cute and playful idea, and thankfully, the chocolate tasted every bit as good as it looked.
It was incredibly smooth and creamy, immediately reminding me of Galaxy, which is already one of my favourite chocolates here in the UK. There were no fillings, wafers or complicated flavours involved—just really lovely milk chocolate that melted beautifully.
The umbrella stick made it much more fun to eat than an ordinary chocolate bar, too. It felt nostalgic even though I’d never tried one before, like the kind of sweet you’d have been delighted to receive as a child.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 Cosmic Craving
Adorable umbrella-shaped chocolate that was wonderfully smooth, creamy and very similar to Galaxy.
The playful handle was a lovely bonus, but the chocolate itself was the real star. I now need to find a case full of these immediately!
📖 Official Description
An enduring symbol of Portuguese childhood, Regina’s chocolate umbrellas have delighted generations. Crafted by one of Portugal’s most iconic chocolate brands, these nostalgic treats feature smooth, creamy milk chocolate moulded into their distinctive umbrella shape. Wrapped in bright, colourful foil, they’re instantly recognisable and remain a beloved part of Portuguese chocolate culture.
💭 My Honest Review
This was basically like someone had taken a Hobnob and added little pieces of sweet apple—and it wasn’t too bad!
The biscuit had that familiar crunchy, slightly oaty texture I’d expect from a digestive-style biscuit. The apple pieces added little bursts of sweetness and made it more interesting than an ordinary plain biscuit without becoming overpoweringly fruity.
I’m not sure apple would ever be my first choice of biscuit flavour, but the combination worked better than I expected. It would be especially nice alongside a cup of tea, or as an easy little snack to pop into a lunchbox.
Not something I’d desperately hunt down, but I’d happily eat another.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
Like a crunchy Hobnob scattered with little pieces of sweet apple.
It wasn’t a life-changing biscuit, but the fruity twist worked surprisingly well and made it a perfectly enjoyable snack—especially with a brew!
📖 Official Description
A popular choice from Portugal’s well-known Triunfo biscuit range, this hearty digestive combines crunchy cereal and oat flakes with sweet pieces of apple and juicy raisins. The result is a satisfying crunch with a delicious fruity twist. Perfect for popping into a lunchbox or enjoying with a morning coffee or tea, it’s an ideal anytime snack.
💭 My Honest Review
As someone who doesn’t particularly like dark chocolate or pineapple, I didn’t have especially high hopes for this one.
Somehow, though…it was actually really tasty!
The chocolate had a richer, darker flavour than I would normally choose, while the pineapple filling added a fruity sweetness. Thankfully, neither flavour became too strong or overwhelming, and the two worked together much better than I expected.
Pineapple-flavoured treats can sometimes taste incredibly artificial, but this was nicely balanced. I’m not sure it has converted me into a full-time pineapple-and-chocolate fan, but I enjoyed it far more than someone with my usual preferences reasonably should have!
Portugal has delivered a very unexpected little surprise.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀🚀 Lunar Delight
A surprisingly tasty combination of rich chocolate and fruity pineapple that managed not to overwhelm me.
Considering I’m not normally a fan of either dark chocolate or pineapple, enjoying this at all was impressive—let alone enjoying it enough to happily eat another!
📖 Official Description
A tropical twist from one of Portugal’s most iconic chocolate brands, this smooth milk-chocolate bar pairs creamy sweetness with the distinctive flavour of either pineapple or passion fruit. Fruity, unusual and unmistakably Regina, both flavours offer a deliciously different take on classic milk chocolate. Which one will you discover in your box?
💭 My Honest Review
I’d love to give you my personal opinion on these—but I never actually got the chance to try one!
The boys shared the packet between themselves, and before I knew it, every last gummy finger had disappeared. Neither of them offered a proper verbal review, but judging by the speed at which they emptied the packet, I think their verdict was fairly obvious.
Apparently, these colourful finger-shaped sweets were far too enjoyable to pause for tasting notes—or to save one for Mum!
So, while I can’t comment on the flavour or texture myself, an empty packet and two satisfied boys earn them a very respectable score.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀🚀 Lunar Delight
No words, no detailed feedback and absolutely no sweets left behind.
The packet disappeared so quickly that I can only assume the boys thoroughly enjoyed them. Next time, I’ll have to hide one before announcing that the snacks have arrived!
📖 Official Description
A quirky and playful treat, these finger-shaped gummies are as eye-catching as they are fun to eat. Soft, chewy and packed with sweet, fruity flavour, each colourful gummy has a satisfyingly smooth texture and a deliciously tender bite. Bold, unusual and wonderfully moreish, they’re a fun choice for anyone who loves novelty sweets.
💭 My Honest Review
These little croissants were such a cute size!
Each one was soft and filled with chocolate, making it a lovely bite-sized treat for when you want something sweet without opening a full-sized pastry. I did enjoy them, although I would’ve liked a little more chocolate filling inside.
That said, considering how tiny they were, the amount of filling was probably about right. Too much chocolate could easily have overwhelmed the little croissant completely.
My main complaint was the packet itself. It looked quite large, so discovering only six mini croissants inside felt slightly disappointing. There was definitely room for a few more!
Still, they were enjoyable, conveniently sized and very easy to snack on.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
…..
📖 Official Description
A nostalgic favourite in Portugal, Chipicão has been a familiar name in snack time since the 1990s. These soft, bite-sized mini croissants are filled with a smooth cocoa centre, bringing together fluffy pastry and chocolatey sweetness in every bite. Fun, moreish and perfect for sharing, they’re a little taste of a brand many Portuguese grew up with.
💭 My Honest Review
This was a really nice bar of milk chocolate, but it was the shape that made it feel a little more special.
Instead of ordinary rectangular chunks, the bar was divided into elegant diamond-shaped segments. It was such a simple detail, but it made the chocolate feel much fancier—as though I should’ve been eating it slowly alongside a posh coffee rather than casually working my way through the wrapper!
The chocolate itself was smooth and creamy, with little pieces of almond adding some extra texture. It wasn’t overly complicated, but everything worked together beautifully.
A classic chocolate bar with a slightly more luxurious presentation—and one I’d happily enjoy again.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀🚀 Lunar Delight
Smooth, creamy milk chocolate with pieces of almond and fancy diamond segments.
The flavour was really nice, but the unusual shape made the bar feel particularly special. Sometimes the smallest details make all the difference!
📖 Official Description
A timeless icon of Portuguese confectionery, this classic Regina bar combines smooth, creamy milk chocolate with crunchy pieces of almond. Rich and melt-in-the-mouth, with an additional satisfying crunch, it brings together simple flavours that have made Regina a familiar name in Portuguese chocolate for generations. Wrapped in distinctive retro-style packaging, it’s a delicious taste of Portuguese chocolate-making heritage.
💭 My Honest Review
These tasted much like any other fruit-flavoured chewy sweet, so there weren’t any major surprises hiding inside the packet.
They had a soft, chewy texture and came in a colourful mixture of fruity flavours. I shared the bag with the boys, which quickly revealed that everyone had their own favourite.
Big Boy really liked the peach ones, while My Spud immediately claimed the strawberry flavour. Luckily, there were enough different varieties to keep everyone happy—and to reduce the chances of a sweet-related disagreement!
They weren’t especially unusual or memorable to me, but they were perfectly enjoyable and made a nice little treat to share.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
A familiar assortment of soft and fruity chewy sweets that tasted much like similar treats we’ve had before.
Nothing groundbreaking, but Big Boy loved the peach flavour, My Spud chose strawberry, and the packet was happily shared between us.
📖 Official Description
A nostalgic Portuguese favourite, these soft and chewy caramels come in a colourful assortment of classic fruit flavours, including strawberry, pineapple, peach, blueberry, lemon and orange. Each one delivers a smooth, satisfyingly chewy texture with a bright burst of fruity sweetness. Individually wrapped in colourful wrappers, they’re a simple, old-school treat that has long been enjoyed across Portugal.
💭 My Honest Review
These were pretty tasty!
They reminded me of sweeter profiteroles without any filling. The pastry was light and slightly crisp, with a sugary coating that added just enough sweetness to make them feel like a proper little treat.
They’re officially finished with a lemon glaze, although I couldn’t really taste the lemon—which was perfectly fine with me! As someone who only likes the gentlest hint of lemon in desserts, its absence certainly wasn’t a problem.
I’d happily have these again, although I couldn’t help imagining how good they would be served with a little bowl of warm chocolate sauce for dipping. They might not traditionally need it, but chocolate makes most things better!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀🚀 Lunar Delight
Like small, sweet profiterole shells without the filling—light, crisp and very easy to keep eating.
The lemon glaze wasn’t noticeable, which suited me perfectly. I’d definitely have them again, preferably with chocolate sauce on the side!
📖 Official Description
A cherished traditional pastry from the spa town of Caldas da Rainha, Beijinhos das Caldas—meaning “Little Kisses of Caldas”—are wonderfully light and crunchy bite-sized treats. Each crisp pastry is coated in a delicate sugar and lemon glaze, adding a sweet citrus note to every bite. Full of local tradition and nostalgic charm, they’re one of the city’s most distinctive regional specialities.
💭 My Honest Review
This was another chocolate-covered wafer bar—and unfortunately, there wasn’t much to make it stand out from all the others I’ve tried.
It had the expected crisp wafer layers, chocolatey filling and smooth coating on the outside. Everything tasted perfectly fine, but it was so familiar that I could’ve been eating almost any standard supermarket wafer bar.
There was nothing wrong with it, and I’d finish one if it was offered to me. However, after discovering more memorable wafer treats in the Spain box, this one felt rather ordinary by comparison.
Not bad—just nothing special.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀 Mild Mission
A perfectly acceptable chocolate-covered wafer bar that tasted much like countless others.
Crispy, chocolatey and easy to eat, but too familiar and ordinary to leave any real impression.
📖 Official Description
A delicious chocolate treat from Regina, this crisp wafer combines light, delicate layers with a smooth cocoa-cream filling, all enrobed in a rich layer of velvety milk chocolate. Delivering a satisfying crunch followed by a sweet, melt-in-the-mouth finish, it’s the perfect balance of airy wafer and creamy chocolate in every bite.
💭 My Honest Review
These were another sweet that went directly to the boys because, as we already know, I don’t do banana!
The bright yellow jelly bananas were shared between them, and although I didn’t receive any detailed tasting notes, I also heard absolutely no complaints. More importantly, the entire bag was emptied.
Once again, the boys appear to believe that eating the evidence is an acceptable substitute for giving Mum a proper review!
I can’t offer a personal opinion on the flavour, but an empty packet and two happy children suggest these went down very well.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
No complaints, no sweets left and—unsurprisingly—no proper review.
I wouldn’t personally go near a banana-flavoured jelly sweet, but the boys happily polished off the whole packet. I think that tells us everything we need to know!
📖 Official Description
A colourful favourite from Fini, these soft, sugar-coated jelly sweets are shaped like mini bananas. Featuring a bright yellow exterior and a deliciously tender bite, each sweet is bursting with a distinctive banana flavour.Coated in a light dusting of sugar for a textured crunch before giving way to a chewy centre, they’re a fun and fruity treat loved by sweet fans of all ages.
💭 My Honest Review
These were fun little bite-sized biscuits filled with what looked like Coco Pops and chocolate chips.
They had a lovely crunchy texture, while the chocolatey pieces inside made them more interesting than an ordinary plain biscuit. They were sweet without being too heavy, and their small size made them dangerously easy to keep popping into my mouth.
I enjoyed them, although they felt more like a children’s snack than something I’d specifically buy for myself. They would be perfect for dividing into little portions and adding to lunchboxes or serving as an easy after-school treat.
Simple, chocolatey and very child-friendly!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
Crunchy little biscuits filled with cereal pieces resembling Coco Pops and plenty of chocolate chips.
I enjoyed them, and their bite-sized shape would make them an ideal treat for children’s lunchboxes.
📖 Official Description
A fun twist on the classic breakfast cereal, these unique bite-sized biscuits combine an irresistibly crunchy shell with a filling of chocolate-flavoured cereal and real chocolate chips. Enjoy them straight from the pack or with milk, just like cereal. Crunchy, chocolatey and playful, they bring together the best of biscuits and breakfast cereal in every bite.
💭 My Honest Review
These were another treat handed over to the boys, with banana among the flavours making my decision particularly easy!
Each little packet contained a piece of chewing gum along with a small paper image to collect, which was a really cute addition. It gave the sweets an old-fashioned novelty feel and made opening each one a little more exciting.
Unfortunately, the flavour itself didn’t make quite as much of an impression. Big Boy said there wasn’t much flavour, so while the collectible papers were fun, the chewing gum apparently didn’t have enough taste to keep the excitement going.
A lovely nostalgic idea—but the gum needed a much stronger burst of flavour.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀 Mild Mission
Cute individual packets with little collectible paper images hidden inside.
The novelty was fun, but according to Big Boy, the chewing gum itself didn’t have much flavour. The collectables were more memorable than the actual sweet!
📖 Official Description
A legendary icon of Portuguese sweet culture since 1975, Gorila chewing gum has been delivering pure nostalgia for over five decades. Famous for its bold flavours and soft, stretchy chew, each piece comes with a fun Gorila mascot wrapper inside, adding to its unmistakable retro charm. The box includes a mix of three classic flavours—juicy strawberry, tropical banana and vibrant tutti-frutti—so keep an eye out for which ones you discover!
🏆 Sweet Treat Champion
Winner: Regina Chocolate Umbrella
Portugal’s sweet selection gave us several strong contenders, but the Regina Chocolate Umbrella floated straight to the top.
It was such a cute idea: solid milk chocolate moulded into a little umbrella, complete with its own curved handle. More importantly, the chocolate itself was beautifully smooth and creamy.
It immediately reminded me of Galaxy, which is already one of my favourite chocolates here in the UK. No unusual fillings or complicated combinations were needed—just really good milk chocolate in an adorable shape.
The Regina Chocolate Clássico, pineapple bar and Avó Elvira Beijinhos das Caldas all put up a respectable fight, but nothing else had me declaring that I needed to find an entire case.
🥤 Drinks
Spain may have turned up with just a single drink, but Portugal clearly got the memo about making an entrance. This time, we’ve got not one but two very different contenders, both arriving in those gloriously oversized cans that promise a proper taste test.
First up is a lightly sparkling pineapple drink from Sumol, which already sounds like summer in a can. Then there’s Guaraná Antarctica, a Brazilian classic that’s here thanks to the box’s love for all things Portuguese-speaking. It’s a little world tour, one sip at a time.
Finally, it feels like we’ve got enough contenders for a real drink showdown. Let the taste testing begin.
💭 My Honest Review
Considering pineapple isn’t usually one of my favourite flavours, this was much more enjoyable than I expected.
I could definitely taste the pineapple, but thankfully, it wasn’t too strong or overpowering. The flavour was fruity and recognisable without becoming overly sweet or artificial, while the light fizz made it pleasantly refreshing.
It probably isn’t a drink I’d specifically hunt down because I’m still not a massive pineapple fan, but I’d happily finish the can—and that’s already quite an achievement!
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀🚀 Orbiting Flavour
A lightly sparkling pineapple drink with a clear fruity flavour that thankfully didn’t overwhelm me.
Pineapple still wouldn’t be my first choice, but this was refreshing, nicely balanced and much better than I expected. 🍍🥤
📖 Official Description
A true staple of Portuguese refreshment, Sumol has been enjoyed across the country since 1954. Made with real pineapple juice and fruit pulp, this iconic sparkling drink delivers a crisp, fizzy burst of tropical sweetness balanced by a refreshing tangy pineapple flavour. Refreshing, fruity and unmistakably Sumol, it’s a much-loved choice for sunny days, casual lunches or enjoying alongside your favourite Portuguese snacks.
💭 My Honest Review
I’d never even heard of guaraná fruit before opening this box, so I had absolutely no idea what this drink was going to taste like.
The first sip gave me a strange medicinal flavour that immediately made me question whether I was going to enjoy it. Thankfully, that initial taste became less noticeable after a while, and the drink did gradually get nicer.
Even then, I found the flavour incredibly difficult to describe. Once the medicinal edge disappeared, it tasted more like lightly flavoured fizzy water than a strongly fruity soft drink. I could tell there was something there, but I couldn’t confidently tell you what that something was!
It was an interesting new discovery, but probably not a drink I’d choose again.
🚀 My Verdict
🚀🚀 Mild Mission
An unusual sparkling drink that began with a slightly medicinal hit before settling into something much milder.
It improved as I continued drinking it, but eventually tasted more like fizzy water than a distinctive fruit drink. Interesting to try—just not particularly memorable.
📖 Official Description
A Brazilian icon that has also become a familiar favourite in Portugal, Guaraná Antarctica is famous for its distinctive guaraná flavour. Sweet, fruity and lightly tangy, it has subtle berry-like and tropical notes with a refreshing, lively fizz that sets it apart from traditional colas and fruit sodas. Made with guaraná grown in the Amazonian region of Brazil, it’s instantly recognisable by its classic green can and offers a delicious taste of the close cultural connection between Brazil and Portugal.
🏆 Drink Champion
Winner: Sumol Ananás
Portugal gave us two completely unfamiliar drinks, but Sumol Ananás was the clear winner.
Considering pineapple isn’t usually one of my favourite flavours, I was pleasantly surprised. I could clearly taste the pineapple, but it wasn’t too strong, artificial or overpowering. The light fizz also made it nicely refreshing.
Guaraná Antarctica was certainly an interesting experience, especially as I’d never even heard of guaraná fruit before. Unfortunately, its initial medicinal taste and eventual resemblance to lightly flavoured fizzy water left me rather confused.
Sumol might not be something I’d desperately hunt down, but I’d happily drink another can.
🏆 The Portugal Snack Awards
After 21 products, nearly 2kg of snacks, several packets demolished by the boys and a surprising number of Regina chocolates, it’s time to reveal the rest of the Portugal Snack Awards!
❤️ Kimberley’s Favourite
Regina Chocolate Umbrella
A smooth, creamy milk-chocolate umbrella that tasted similar to Galaxy and came with the cutest little curved handle.
I didn’t merely enjoy it—I immediately decided I needed to find a case full. That feels like a fairly decisive reaction!
👦 The Boys’ Favourite
Joint Winners: Interdoces Fingers and Fini Jelly Bananas
Neither packet came with a particularly detailed verbal review.
The boys shared the Interdoces Fingers before I could try one, and the entire packet disappeared. The Fini Jelly Bananas received exactly the same treatment, with no complaints and no evidence left behind.
Until the boys start providing proper tasting notes, they’ll have to share the award!
🤯 Biggest Surprise
Regina Chocolate Pineapple
Dark or richer-tasting chocolate and pineapple are two things I wouldn’t normally choose, so this bar wasn’t exactly set up for success.
Somehow, though, it was actually tasty!
The pineapple didn’t become artificial or overwhelming, while the chocolate and fruity filling worked far better together than I expected. It didn’t completely convert me, but it certainly proved me wrong.
🛒 Would Buy Again
Regina Chocolate Umbrella
I need more than another umbrella—I need an entire case.
The Lay’s Camponesas deserve a very enthusiastic honourable mention because I’d actively look for those again too.
🚫 Not for Me
Saborosa Belgas
I still can’t decide whether it was the dark chocolate, the biscuit itself or the combination of the two, but these simply weren’t for me.
Perhaps I should’ve tried one with a proper cup of tea. Then again, if a biscuit requires a brew to rescue it, it probably wasn’t destined to become a favourite!
🇵🇹 Most Portuguese-Feeling Snack
Avó Elvira Beijinhos das Caldas
These traditional “little kisses of Caldas” felt like one of the most distinctive discoveries in the box.
They reminded me of sweet, unfilled profiteroles, with a light texture and sugary coating. I couldn’t really taste the lemon glaze—which suited me perfectly—and I’d happily serve them again with warm chocolate sauce for dipping.
📦 Most Deceptive Packaging
Chipicão Mini Croissants
The packet looked rather generous.
Inside were just six adorable miniature chocolate-filled croissants.
They were soft and enjoyable, but there was definitely enough room in that bag for a few more!
🥓 Haven’t We Met Before?
Amanhecer Batatas Fritas Presunto
Three SnackVerse destinations and three versions of bacon or ham-flavoured crisps.
The presunto crisps were perfectly fine, but they tasted much like the other strong bacon-flavoured crisps I’d already tried.
Europe, I think we’ve established that you like bacon seasoning. You can send something different now!
👑 Overall Portugal Box Champion
Regina Chocolate Umbrella
The Sweet Treat Champion also takes Portugal’s overall crown.
The Lay’s Camponesas came extremely close, but the little chocolate umbrella was smooth, creamy, adorable and reminiscent of one of my favourite UK chocolates.
When the first thought after finishing something is, Where can I buy an entire case?, it deserves to become the Overall Portugal Box Champion.
⚔️ Portugal vs Spain vs Hungary
Three European countries have now entered the SnackVerse arena—but Portugal has arrived ready to challenge Spain for the destination crown.
Best Savoury Selection: Hungary 🇭🇺
Portugal produced an incredible five-rocket winner with the Lay’s Camponesas. Unfortunately, with only four savoury products—and two of those landing at two rockets—it didn’t have enough depth to take the overall savoury title.
Hungary’s five-rocket Chio Cheese and Onion Crisps remain one of the strongest savoury discoveries, supported by a more consistently enjoyable selection.
Hungary keeps the savoury crown.
Best Sweet Selection: Portugal 🇵🇹
Spain’s Nocilla Cookies & Cream and Filipinos White Chocolate remain difficult to beat, but Portugal delivered the more consistent sweet selection overall.
The Regina Chocolate Umbrella earned five rockets, while the Regina Pineapple, Regina Clássico and Avó Elvira Beijinhos das Caldas all reached four. Even the sweets I handed to the boys disappeared remarkably quickly.
Saborosa Belgas was the only complete miss.
Portugal takes the sweet selection crown by the curve of a tiny chocolate umbrella handle.
Best Drinks: Hungary 🇭🇺
Portugal included two drinks, which was already an improvement over Spain’s single can.
Sumol Ananás was pleasantly refreshing, but Guaraná Antarctica left me more confused than impressed. Hungary still offered the most interesting drink selection, particularly with the unusual elderflower Márka Bodza and Traubisoda.
Best Traditional Discovery: Portugal 🇵🇹
Spain’s Palmeritas gave me the strongest personal nostalgic moment, but Portugal’s Avó Elvira Beijinhos das Caldas felt like a wonderfully distinctive regional discovery.
They were unlike anything else in the three boxes and came with a genuine connection to the Portuguese town of Caldas da Rainha.
Most Consistent Box: Portugal 🇵🇹
Portugal delivered two five-rocket products and only one Grounded Grub.
Spain reached equally impressive heights but had four products at the bottom of its rankings. Hungary was reliable, but Portugal offered the strongest balance between quantity, variety and overall enjoyment.
Overall Winning Box: Portugal 🇵🇹
Spain didn’t surrender its crown easily.
Both countries delivered two genuine five-rocket discoveries. Spain gave me the amazing Nocilla Cookies & Cream bar, tiny white-chocolate Filipinos and a lovely childhood memory through the Palmeritas.
Portugal, however, was much more consistent. It produced only one complete miss, gave us a fuller selection, included two drinks and arrived weighing nearly 2kg. The Regina chocolates were particularly strong, while the Lay’s Camponesas became one of the best savoury snacks of the journey.
Hungary still rules the savoury snacks and drinks, while Spain remains responsible for some unforgettable sweet treats. As a complete box, though, Portugal just managed to offer the best overall experience.
By the curve of one very cute chocolate umbrella handle, Portugal steals the SnackVerse crown from Spain! 👑🇵🇹
The current SnackVerse standings are:
- Portugal 🇵🇹
- Spain 🇪🇸
- Hungary 🇭🇺
💭 Was the Portugal Premium Box Worth It?
The Portugal Premium Box contained 21 products for £24.99, working out at approximately £1.19 per product. This was the first box at the new subscription price, following the increase from £23.99 to £24.99 per month. With the cost of practically everything rising, an additional £1 still feels fair—especially when this particular box weighed nearly 2kg and was packed right to the top.
Its journey to me wasn’t completely straightforward. While I was away on holiday, I received an email explaining that shipping would be delayed until the middle of August. SnackVerse wasn’t happy with the quality of some of the original products and needed extra time to source replacements. Honestly, fair play to them—I’d much rather wait slightly longer and receive products they were confident sending than have a box arrive on time filled with disappointing or damaged snacks. A second email then confirmed the subscription price increase, but both messages were clear and reasonable.
Inside were four savoury snacks, fifteen sweet treats and two drinks. The selection leaned heavily towards sweet products—especially chocolate—but there was still plenty of variety between biscuits, pastries, chewy sweets, cereal bars, and traditional treats.
There were also several recognisably Portuguese products and brands, including Regina chocolate, Sumol, Penha caramels, and the traditional Beijinhos das Caldas. The inclusion of Guaraná Antarctica added a little Brazilian connection too, reflecting the close cultural links between Brazil and Portugal.
Not every product impressed me. The Saborosa Belgas weren’t my thing, several familiar snacks felt rather ordinary, and Europe has now sent me enough bacon-flavoured crisps to last a while.
However, I discovered two new five-rocket favourites, found several four-rocket treats, and watched the boys make suspiciously quick work of anything gummy or banana flavoured.
So, was the Portugal Premium Box worth £24.99? Yes—absolutely. The extra pound didn’t feel unreasonable, particularly for a box this heavy, full, and consistently enjoyable. Portugal offered the best value and strongest overall selection of the SnackVerse journey so far.
💭 Final Thoughts
Portugal took its sweet time getting here, but honestly, it was worth every extra day. SnackVerse held off on shipping to make sure everything inside was just right, and when the box finally arrived, it was nearly 2kg of pure anticipation. Lifting it onto the kitchen table felt like unwrapping a present you know is going to be good, and Portugal mostly lived up to that promise.
Lay’s Camponesas quickly claimed the savoury crown for me, with that tomato and paprika combo I’d happily hunt down again. The Regina Chocolate Umbrella was pure joy, all smooth chocolate and a handle that made me feel about eight years old in the best way. Regina in general turned out to be a bit of a star here. The Chocolate Clássico felt unexpectedly posh with its little triangles, and the pineapple bar somehow made two flavours I usually avoid taste like they belonged together. Avó Elvira Beijinhos das Caldas was a whole new experience, though I still think a bowl of chocolate sauce on the side would take them to the next level. The boys, meanwhile, took charge of a few snacks I wasn’t brave enough to try myself. Their review style? Mostly just making the packets disappear without a word.
On the other end of the snack spectrum, Saborosa Belgas just didn’t work for me at all. A few other treats were perfectly pleasant but nothing new, and Batatas Fritas Presunto only confirmed my growing suspicion that every European snack box must come with its own bacon-flavoured crisp. It’s practically tradition at this point.
Portugal didn’t sweep every single category. Hungary still holds the title for best savoury snacks and drinks, and Spain brought some truly memorable sweets. But Portugal’s box felt the most generous and thoughtfully packed, with a steady stream of surprises and only one real letdown. Two snacks earned top marks, and there were so many treats inside I almost needed a gym membership just to carry it in. For now, Portugal wears the SnackVerse crown.
Now that we’ve snacked our way through Hungary, Spain, and Portugal, I’m hoping our next stop takes us a little further afield. I’ve loved every bite of this European adventure, but I’m ready for something new and a bit more far-flung, even if it’s just my taste buds doing the travelling. Asia, Africa, North or South America—SnackVerse, I’m all ears. Where are we off to next?
💬 Come Chat
Have you tried any of these Portuguese snacks before?
Would you choose the savoury Lay’s Camponesas or the adorable Regina Chocolate Umbrella?
Do you agree that three consecutive boxes are enough bacon-flavoured crisps for now?
And where in the world would you like SnackVerse to take us next?
Let me know in the comments!
Chapters and Cravings 
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