As I am sure that I have mentioned in the past, I am a big fan of Honest Tea. So, needless to say, I was very excited when I saw the company's new line of CocoaNova beverages sitting on the shelf of my local organic foods market. Although all that I knew about the drink at the time was that it was some sort of chocolate and cherry infused beverage, I was still very much looking forward to giving it a try.
CocoaNova is unlike any other drink that I've had in the past. As one would expect, the theme here is certainly chocolate. However, the chocolate is not as strong as other chocolate beverages that I have had in the past, and tastes more like natural cocoa than many other drinks of its "type." I say "type" in quotations because although there are obviously other chocolate-oriented beverages on the market, Honest CocoaNova is quite unique. Rather than tasting as though the drink is made from chocolate, the chocolate serves to add more of a background flavor to the overall drink as a whole. I was not anticipating this subtlety, as there was a thick layer of chocolate sediment that had to be shaken into the drink before consumption, but I really enjoyed the lighter, almost watery taste of the beverage. I have had both the cherry and mint flavors, and I must say that both are very well balanced, although I prefer the combination of mint and chocolate over that of cherry and chocolate.
Overall, CocoaNova is a very unique and delicious beverage. It is surprisingly refreshing for a drink that contains a significant amount of chocolate, and I have really enjoyed both of the bottles that I have had so far. However, with most highly unique beverages, there is a bit of risk in purchasing this one. I don't know that this is the drink for everyone, and there are sure to be some consumers out there who find the subtlety of the flavors a bit strange and off-putting, but I think that anybody with a taste for chocolate will almost undoubtedly find something to like in Honest CocoaNova. Definitely give this one a try.
Verdict: Recommended
Purchased: Earth Fare [Columbia, SC]
Size: 10.1 fl oz
Price: $1.50
I found this in a local health food store, and went back, after trying one, and cleaned out their entire supply. Know this: the mint, and mocha versions have coffee in them, which gives them some caffeine, while the cherry does not, and they all contain sugar. That being said, they all give you the benefit of cacao, the bean cocoa is made from, which has health benefits, lowering high blood pressure, and making you feel good, like chocolate does, without all the fat, and calories of chocolate. Some argue the health benefit comes from theobromine, others, that it actually comes from flavanols. Anyway, I agre with the reviewer: it's a subtle beverage, "Magic theater, not for everyone", but I love it, and I've found it at my local Giant supermarket in the organic aisle, for fifty cents less per bottle than my health food store. I do wonder if it will survive the American market, which relies on overkill in everything...SUPERSIZE ME, but, hopefully...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteI knew that the mocha version had coffee in it, but I didn't realize that the mint version did as well. That is good to know for people trying to avoid caffeine.
I'm glad to hear that you enjoy the drink.