How did you like Blue Apron?
Hm. Trying to figure out the best way to explain:
I've found that the three main things that most people complain about- namely price, packaging and portions- don't bother me. The price is really not more than I would spend per serving. The meat and fish are really high quality and it would cost me the same to buy similar quality ingredients where I live if not more, because you can't usually buy a pork roast for just two people. Blue apron specially packages the right sized portions. People complain about tiny vinegars or or whatever (basically, blue apron sends you premeasured stuff for just that meal) but again that doesn't bother me because there is no way I will use a full sized container of something I buy for one recipe before it goes bad, so it isn't actually a better deal for me to buy that at a supermarket. People complain about the excessive packaging, but unless you shop only case meats and veggies and bulk foods- which the average American doesn't- realistically- grocery supermarkets just involve a lot of packaging and even more that you don't see- that "naked" produce comes in giant plastic crates or cardboard.
But having said that, my reaction is mixed.
Pros:
Everything arrives fine, and I have really enjoyed several of the recipes. The two person meals are generous portions, and we've frequently stretched it to feed three people. You don't need fancy tools- just basic knife skills and a good cutting board and sauté pan and maybe a sauce pan and strainer. They do a good job of breaking it down in the instructions and they also send some really cool veggies that I would not have tried otherwise. So I do learn stuff. It's generally tasty and healthy and doesn't involve a lot of dairy. Even the knicknacks- like tomato paste- is frequently high quality imported stuff, and that means a lot to me because I read labels to avoid preservatives and corn syrup.
But the cons are...
1) there are sometimes stuff I just flat out don't like- I don't care how "gourmet" the spices are, I'm still not going to eat a sloppy joe. I seriously cannot believe that was a recipe option. And the model is budget driven, so if you pick one of the alternates, you likely lose access to the one recipe you were
really looking forward too.
2) it can get repetitive. I've had it for a year and a half now, I think. A lot of their seasoning instructions are "add salt and pepper" and they really like vinegar. The first is probably a problem if you're a rookie cook, which is their target market. I am not. I know roughly when to add salt and when it really isn't necessary- or even detrimental. I like the convenience and I like encountering stuff that I wouldn't normally try (black garlic burgers, anyone?) but this isn't exotic fare to me and it's not the educational experience that people hype it as. The second is not a huge issue except the recipes/flavors occasionally become too much of a pattern for me, so I take long breaks (which they make really easy to do. You can skip any delivery via the app, no charge. And they have great customer service over the phone). But anyway- it's one dish meals usually, like stir fry over rice. And sometimes they are complete meals, and sometimes I agree with the people who complain that it doesn't involve enough veggie sides.
Another complaint I've seen commonly in the reviews is that they market it as a 30 minute meal prep. I'd say it is only if you have near professional knife skills. It doesn't bother me, and frankly I think the people who complain about this aspect were probably hoping for more of a prepared food aspect which would alienate me from blue apron. The draw, at least for me, is cooking mostly from scratch and to not have to shop and think about recipes. But I do think it's a bit deceptive on BA's fault for setting up that expectation. I haven't cooked one meal in less than 30 minutes from set up to plating because I am not fast with a knife. Prep takes me 20, cooking takes 10-20.
So...hopefully that long post gave someone some useful information