by My meals arrived right on schedule and were conveniently left outside my door. I received a tracking number the day before so I could track my delivery. The box arrived clean and undamaged. Even the aesthetics of the box gave me an exciting feeling about the contents, with words and healthy ingredients printed in bold black on the white packaging.
When I opened the box, I found it to be in excellent condition – clean and undamaged. Inside the box, the food was in an insulated, recyclable liner packed with dry ice to keep everything frozen. The dry ice was kept separately in a plastic bag, with instructions on how to safely dispose of it. All the food items were still thoroughly frozen, and their containers were intact with no signs of damage.
While the dry ice came in a non-recyclable plastic bag, the cardboard box and corn-paper starch liner are recyclable. Daily Harvest has an entire section on their website dedicated to sustainability, explaining what all the materials are made from and how to recycle or dispose of each container and product.
Cooking and Preparation of Meals
For my first box, I received:
- Autumn Bowl Chicken and coconut curry
- Acai and Cherry Smoothie
- Mint and Cacao Smoothie
- Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Harvest Hash Bowl
- Tomato Basil and Portobello Pasta Bolognese
- Broccoli and Cheese Harvest Bowl
- Apple and Cinnamon Breakfast Bowl
- Butternut Squash and Rosemary Soup
- Portobello and Pesto Flatbread
- Almond Mylk
- Cacao Nib and Vanilla Bite
All of the meals and smoothies from Daily Harvest were easy to make, with clear instructions provided on the packaging for the microwave, stove top, or blender. Most items didn’t require many additional ingredients: usually just a splash of liquid or broth.
The cooking times were quick – everything took less than five minutes to prepare. Only the flatbreads took more time (about 20 minutes in the oven, plus time to preheat). I loved using the original non-plastic containers to heat the food since I run out of microwave plastic.
The smoothie cups were also handy: I just added my favorite liquid, blended it and poured it back into the cup – there’s even an opening for a straw on the lid.
The instructions and timing were accurate, including measurements for adding liquid to smoothies. While a blender was required for smoothie and soup preparation, there wasn’t much cleanup required other than rinsing the blender – a big win in my book.
Tasting the Meals
I was impressed with the ingredient lists for all my meals. Real food without preservatives – and mainly ingredients I would bring into my own fridge.
Starting with smoothies (always a favorite of mine), the Cacao Mint was an instant standout. The fresh mint scent reminded me of mint chocolate chip ice cream. I used the Almond Mylk “wedges” for my liquid base ─ a convenient pre-portioned frozen almond milk concentrate that you mix with water. The result was refreshingly minty (thanks to the peppermint oil) without an artificial aftertaste.
The Acai and Cherry Smoothie was also delicious and sweet, but not overwhelming – a great choice that was a perfect dupe for an acai bowl from my local market.
The opening of the Apple and Cinnamon Forager Bowl looked small, and the smell brought me back to childhood oatmeal breakfasts. The cauliflower rice with date paste and applesauce kept me full for longer than I expected, but you could easily jazz it up with extra toppings if you wanted a bigger size.
I love bowls, so I chose three different Harvest Bowls to try. Another winner of the Autumn Chickpea and Coconut Curry bowl. The spices – turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and ginger – deliver a vibrant flavor profile. I’m not vegan or vegetarian, so I opted to dice up some chicken breast to add to the bowl, and it was the perfect quick meal after a long day.
The Harvest Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Hash Bowl was decent with broccoli rice, avocado, and northern beans, although I found it a little too tomato-heavy for my taste. I added crumbled feta cheese and shared it with my husband. The Broccoli and Cheese (dairy-free cheese-free sub made with nutritional yeast) The Harvest Bowl felt more like a side dish to me (and we used it this way to complement our Sunday night pasta), but the -my oldest child loved it and asked for it. for more.
After a workout, I snacked on the Cacao Nib and Vanilla Bites, which were straight from the freezer made with chickpea puree, date paste, coconut oil, flax, and kabocha squash puree. The first bite was a little chalky, probably from the chickpea puree, but the flavor improved as I chewed. I let the next one warm to room temperature before eating, and the taste improved. I like to make homemade energy bites, but these would work well in a pinch.
I made the Portobello and Pesto Flatbread after a busy weekend morning running my kids to soccer games. It was tasty and light, with a creamy cashew pesto. Although the flatbread takes longer to cook, I found the flatbread crispy and the veggies (broccoli, artichoke hearts, and portobello mushrooms) tender. It also kept me full for hours after lunch.
Finally, the Butternut Squash and Rosemary Soup was not my favorite, although broth should have been added, not water, to protect the soup. The texture was thick and creamy, but it tasted a bit bland, so the use of flavored broth could definitely provide more flavor. And the Tomato Basil and Portobello Bolognese Pasta made a surprisingly flavorful lunch – and the noodles did not get mushy in the microwave.
