Artza is a quarterly subscription box that follows in the footsteps of Jesus, delivering the best artisanal food, crafts, and content from across the Holy Land straight to your door.
Each box will contain 7-9 full-sized products sourced directly from Israel. Items can include tasty treats, hand-crafted soaps and beauty products, custom spice mixes, unique games, and more. The boxes are curated to deliver the most authentic experience, searching throughout Israel for exclusive, high quality products that you and your family will enjoy.
Disclosure: Box was received for review. Post may contain affiliate links.
Subscriptions are $74.99/quarter or $94.99/quarter for Artza Premium (includes 1-2 additional items). Discounts are available on multi-box plans. — For a limited time, you can get a FREE $75 Jerusalem box with any annual subscription! (No coupon code needed.)
Let’s see what’s in this quarter’s Artza “Judaean Desert” box!
Everything was shipped in an orange/rust-colored box with the Artza logo printed in white.
A peek inside!
The 2-sided info sheet above revealed this quarter’s destination — Judaean Desert — and included interesting facts, photos, and even a few English to Hebrew translations.
An additional information packet included 4 product information cards, 2 postcards, and a recipe.
A separate info card listed all of the items I’d find in this quarter’s box.
Individual product information cards provided background info on each company/artisan and details on how best to utilize the items.
Two postcards were included, one featuring Masada — an ancient castle/fortress that was originally built by Herod the Great, and the other the Mount of Temptation — the site where the Devil tempted Jesus three times during his 40 day fast in the desert.
The final “paper” item was a recipe for Silan Date Cake that utilizes the date honey included in this box.
Yonat Midbar Dead Sea Relaxing Bath Salt
The bath salts above were crafted by Yonat Midbar, a former PhD scientist who moved to the Judaean Desert to open a natural cosmetics company. Made with salt sourced from the Dead Sea, these bath salts contain 15 minerals (including magnesium, calcium, and potassium) to stimulate and soften the skin. Enjoy them dissolved in a warm bath, or in a relaxing foot soak.
The Dead Sea Scrolls Replica
The Dead Sea Scrolls are considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history. The set above includes a ceramic replica of the large jars that held the original scrolls, a paper replica showing the actual text of said scrolls, and an informational booklet. The actual Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, but date back more than 3,000 years. The scrolls are vital for both biblical and historical studies, as they provide us with a biblical text from the end of the Second Temple Period.
424 Salt Golden Rosemary Salt Grinder
I LOVE rosemary, so I’m looking forward to trying this custom blend made especially for Artza. It features natural Dead Sea salt, rosemary, and edible gold dust to give a little sparkle to favorite meal. 😉 The glass bottle also includes a built-in grinder for the freshest of flavors.
Ceramic “Shalom” Wall Tile
The ceramic wall tile above is framed in Israeli-grown olive wood handcrafted by artisan Jamil Hosh, who has carved some of the most beautiful olive wood in Bethlehem. The colorful tile features the word “Shalom” in the center and measures roughly 4 inches by 4 inches. Hardware is already installed on the back, making it ready to hang right up in your home.
Lin’s Farm Pure Date Honey
Unlike traditional “bee” honey, the variety above is actually made with 100% dates (also making it 100% vegan-friendly!). According to the Silan Date Cake recipe card, many people believe that the quote about Israel being a land “flowing with milk and honey” is referencing this very date honey (not bee’s). Its flavor is described as a sweet and full-bodied with a hint of caramel-like maltiness.
Agrocafe Ground Roasted Coffee
Agrocafe is a new artisanal coffee roaster in Israel who is committed to helping coffee growers around the world using new Israeli roasting methods. They’re able to responsibly increase production and improve the quality of beans thanks to their innovative watering and irrigation systems. They’re very dedicated to being eco-friendly and even have tips on recycling spent grounds printed right on their packaging. I have yet to try it, but the aroma coming from the still sealed bag is promising. 😉
Handmade Ceramic Olive Oil Jug
Premium Box subscribers also received this handmade olive oil jug designed to evoke the spirit of the Judaean Desert. It was crafted by Batya Erdstein and her family in their pottery studio amid the rolling hills in the heart of Biblical Israel. The high-fired ceramic bottle was made with love and is both non-toxic and dishwasher-safe. It measures roughly 5 inches tall by 3 inches at its widest point.
I had fun discovering all of the unique products in this quarter’s Judaean Desert-themed Artza box! My personal favorites this time around were the Yonat Midbar Dead Sea Bath Salts, 424 Salt Golden Rosemary Salt Grinder, Lin’s Farm Pure Date Honey, and Agrocafe Ground Roasted Coffee. 🙂 — Remember, for a limited time you can get a FREE $75 Jerusalem box with any annual subscription! (No coupon code needed.)
Did you ever make the Silan Date Cake? I have not been successful at it.