Crave Chocolate Milk

I picked up one of these delicious milks for the first time at a gas station on the way home from my recent trip to Washington D.C. I actually came very close to not buying it, as I already had something else in my hand in which I was not particularly interested, and Crave's aluminum bottle did not catch my eye until I was literally turning to move towards the register. Upon noticing the strangely sized container, the switch was quickly made, and what had been on the verge of becoming a lackluster and routine beverage experience ended up being a very satisfying purchase.

Crave, as it says on the bottle, is "a new chocolate milk with a bold chocolate taste." I just want to note here that I find it interesting that Crave considers itself both "new" and "original," but that is beside the point. Crave definitely hit the mark by describing the drink as having a bold chocolate taste. The drink is very, very chocolaty, and has a thicker consistency than most other products of its sort. The chocolate flavor is very rich, and the drink often tastes as though it is more chocolate than milk, which seems a little weird at first, but it is really not a bad thing at all. Crave's taste is very unique, especially considering the fact that most chocolate milk products are pretty straightforward and usually only differentiate slightly from the competition. Although Crave is not particularly refreshing in the literal sense, it is definitely a breath of fresh air in what had become a rather standardized market segment.

One thing that I did find odd about Crave is that, although it is a legitimate dairy product, it does not require refrigeration until after opening. I'm still not entirely sure how this is so, but they obviously could not sell something that does not meet standards, so this is not a large concern. As another note, crave recommends that you shake the product gently, and I have to recommend that you follow this advice. The contents are pressurized, and I speak from experience when I say that shaking too vigorously will cause the milk to spew out of the top of the bottle upon opening. Crave is available in both chocolate and strawberry-chocolate varieties. I have had both flavors, and it is hard  to say which one, if either, I prefer. They are both very good, and I think that it is safe to say that it really just comes down to your own personal tastes as to which one you should pick up first.

Verdict: Recommended

Purchased: Big Lots [Greenwood, SC]

Size: 12 fl. oz. [355 mL]

Price: $1.00 [Discounted]