Universal Yums

Universal Yums delivers 5-18 authentic international snacks from a different country monthly, featuring unique treats not available in US stores. Each box includes a detailed 12-16 page guidebook with cultural trivia, games, and context about the snacks' origins. Choose from three tiers based on household size and snacking preferences.

Universal Yums has been bringing global snack exploration to American households since October 2014. Founded by Eli Zauner and Monique Bernstein in Cincinnati, Ohio, the idea emerged three months into their relationship while eating dinner at Eli’s kitchen table. Both were working corporate jobs and wanted to do something fun together outside work, specifically, to travel the world. Unable to quit their jobs for full-time travel, they created Universal Yums to bring authentic international snack experiences and cultural education directly to subscribers’ doorsteps monthly.

The company has shipped over 10 million boxes since launch, building strong sourcing relationships with suppliers in dozens of countries to curate items genuinely representative of local tastes rather than export-oriented products. Universal Yums won top snack subscription box in the 2025 readers’ choice awards and has been featured in Forbes, Buzzfeed, and The New York Times. The 11% affiliate conversion rate suggests strong customer satisfaction, though operational challenges with shipping and customer service remain areas for improvement.

Pricing Plans

Universal Yums offers three subscription tiers based on household size and snacking preferences:

• Yum Box (Small): $20/month ($17/month annual prepay, $204 total) - Includes 5-7 authentic snacks plus a 12-page booklet with trivia and games. Perfect for individuals or couples.
• Yum Yum Box (Medium): $31/month ($26/month annual prepay, $312 total) - Includes 10-12 unique snacks plus a 16-page guidebook. Ideal for small families.
• Super Yum Box (Large): $47/month ($40/month annual prepay, $480 total) - Includes 15-18 delightful snacks plus a 16-page informative booklet. Best for larger households or snack enthusiasts.

All pricing includes free shipping to contiguous US addresses and military bases. Annual prepay discounts save 15-17% compared to monthly billing. Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping may incur additional fees. Each tier features snacks from the same country each month, the difference is quantity rather than variety.

What’s Included

Every Universal Yums box contains authentic international snacks from a different country each month:

5-18 Authentic Snacks: Depending on your tier, receive snacks sourced directly from the featured country, items not typically available in American grocery stores or import shops. Past countries have included Japan, France, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Brazil, Thailand, Italy, and many others. The country rotation changes monthly to provide variety and global exploration.

Educational Guidebook (12-16 Pages): Each box includes a detailed guidebook (size varies by tier) with cultural trivia about the featured country, games, activities, and context about each snack’s origin and cultural significance. The guidebook explains cultural festivals, regional traditions, and stories behind century-old confections, transforming snacking into a learning experience.

No Dietary Customization: Boxes contain pre-curated snacks from the featured country and cannot be customized for dietary restrictions. Items may include gluten, dairy, nuts, or animal products. Ingredient lists are provided in the guidebook, but vegan, gluten-free, or allergen-free options are not guaranteed.

Mass-Market Snacks: Products focus on mainstream packaged snacks representative of local tastes rather than artisanal or gourmet confections. These are authentic to the culture but not necessarily premium quality.

The educational focus particularly appeals to families seeking screen-free bonding activities and homeschooling parents incorporating geography lessons into curriculum. Teachers and educators use boxes as classroom supplements for world cultures units.

How It Works

Getting started with Universal Yums is straightforward:

1. Select Your Tier: Choose from Yum Box ($20), Yum Yum Box ($31), or Super Yum Box ($47) based on household size. Decide between monthly billing or annual prepay (15-17% discount).

2. Create Your Account: Sign up on the Universal Yums website with shipping information. Free shipping applies to contiguous US addresses and military bases.

3. Receive Monthly Deliveries: Boxes typically ship mid-month and arrive within 5-7 business days. Each month features a new country, you won’t know which country until the box arrives, maintaining the discovery element.

4. Explore & Learn: Open the guidebook first to learn about the featured country, then taste snacks while reading about their cultural significance. Games and trivia activities engage children and adults alike.

5. Skip or Pause: Use the account portal to skip individual months or pause your subscription. This flexibility helps if you’re traveling, need to reduce expenses temporarily, or want to avoid duplicate countries you’ve already received.

6. Cancel Anytime: Monthly subscriptions can be canceled through your account without contacting customer service. Annual prepay subscribers should review cancellation terms.

While Trustpilot reviews average 4.0/5 stars from 388 customers indicating general satisfaction, recurring complaints about shipping delays (particularly during holidays) and difficulty obtaining refunds for damaged or unshipped boxes suggest operational growing pains. The company is not BBB accredited despite operating for over a decade. Some customers report being charged for boxes that weren’t shipped due to weather or logistical issues without prompt resolution.

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Families with Children: Elementary or middle-school age kids benefit from educational screen-free activities
• Homeschooling Parents: Geography and cultural studies curriculum supplement
• Adventurous Eaters: Those curious about authentic international flavors and willing to try new snacks
• Teachers & Educators: Classroom supplements for world cultures units
• Cultural Learners: Subscribers who value novelty, global exploration, and learning through food
• Gift Givers: Unique gift for friends or family interested in international travel and culture
• Geography Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy discovering new countries monthly

Not Ideal For:

• Dietary Restriction Needs: Vegan, gluten-free, allergen-free diets cannot be accommodated
• Foodies: Those seeking artisanal quality or gourmet international delicacies
• Picky Eaters: Mass-market snacks may not appeal to selective palates
• Time-Sensitive Gifting: Shipping delays reported, particularly during holidays
• Premium Quality Seekers: Packaged snacks focus on cultural authenticity over high-end confection quality
• Budget Shoppers: At $20-47/month, cheaper alternatives exist for simple snack variety

The subscription works particularly well for families using Universal Yums as a geography curriculum supplement or cultural learning tool, where the trivia and context justify the premium over simply buying imported snacks at ethnic grocery stores. The curated country rotation prevents decision fatigue and introduces regions you might not explore independently. However, subscribers requiring punctual delivery for gifts or special occasions should consider the reported customer service challenges, and those with strict dietary needs should look elsewhere for customizable options.