Chia Star

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 12 oz glass
BevNET Review: Chia Star’s Blackberry Lime is a chia-based beverage whose flavor is a play on the classic raspberry lime rickey. To back its “barely sweetened” callout on the front of the label, the drink uses a blend of sugar and stevia. In this particular flavor, the stevia is definitely something that gets in the way of the enjoyment of the product. Really, this seems to be just an issue with the flavors and the stevia not playing nicely together (unlike the pear and peach juices in the other variety). In terms of branding and packaging, we think that Chia Star has done a nice job of giving this brand its own identity, with an illustrated label that feels like something that’s artisanal and healthy (both of which feel very much in line with where chia is presently at in the market). Overall, we really like the branding and design, but what’s inside the bottle could be improved upon slightly.Reviewed on: 8/3/2012

Product Type:Juice: Juice Drink; Container: 12 oz glass
BevNET Review: The Peach Green Tea flavor of Chia Star is a USDA Organic hydrated chia beverage. It’s designed to be lower in calories than other chia products, which is why it uses a blend of stevia and sugar. However, since it is seed based, it still has calories (90) and fat (4.5g), but it also has natural protein (2g), calcium (90mg), and omega 3 and 6 (2450mg and 810mg, respectively). In terms of flavor, this is the better of the two Chia Star flavors that we sampled. In this particular flavor, the stevia is easy to miss, with the added peach juice and pear juice helping to mask the ingredient. On the other hand, we were slightly disappointed to see that the green tea is simply a flavoring. Packaging is a 12 oz. glass bottle that requires refrigeration. The label and branding are well designed and eye catching, with an illustrated look that feels somewhat homemade and definitely looks different than its main competitor. Overall, Chia Star’s Peach Green Tea is a welcome addition to the growing number of chia based beverages. Reviewed on: 8/3/2012