Coco Libre Coconut Water + Chia

Product Type:Juice: Coconut Water and Juice; Container: 9.5 fl oz
BevNET Review: The Blackberry Pomegranate flavor of Coco Libre’s Coconut Water + Chia line is the smoother-tasting of the two flavors that we sampled. Specifically, it lacks the citrus note that is found in the lemonade, with a more pronounced -- and enjoyable -- berry flavor. The coconut water flavor, on the other hand, is easier to miss, especially as you make your way through the bottle. Lastly, there’s the chia, which adds several dimensions to the product, including omega-3’s, chew to the consistency, and something that visually stands out. However, compared with other beverages that use whole chia seeds, this product lacks the gel that usually accompanies hydrated chia seeds (we’ve heard conflicting reports of this being related to the levels of omega 3 in the seeds). Visually, the product is easily identifiable as a chia based beverage. The coconut water, on the other hand, is only represented in text form. Given that most of the coconut water brands are pretty aggressive with tropical imagery, this aspect of the product is definitely secondary. If anything, we’d like to see some simplification in the front panel -- the omega 3 callout takes away from the rest of the design. Overall, this is an enjoyable and unique product. Reviewed on: 9/27/2012

Product Type:Juice: Coconut Water and Juice; Container: 9.5 fl oz
BevNET Review: Coco Libre’s Raspberry Lemonade flavor of their Coconut Water + Chia line has a lot going on inside the bottle. The USDA Organic-certified formulation includes coconut water, hydrated chia seeds, fruit juices, agave, and natural flavors. In terms of taste, there’s a nice hit of coconut water, some fruit flavors that we’d describe as 'pomegranate lemon,' and chew from the chia seeds. While the coconut water is a nice addition, the “raspberry lemonade” flavor doesn’t have enough lemon flavor to really qualify as a lemonade in our book. Beyond that, the chia lacks that “gel” effect that is found in other chia based beverages, which could be perceived as a positive or negative depending on the drinker. Still, the overall experience of drinking this product is a positive one, with the combination of flavors making for something that’s satisfying to the palate. Visually, it looks very much like Mamma Chia in terms of the shape of the bottle, but they’ve chosen a clear label instead of one that’s opaque. Like the liquid inside the bottle, there are a lot of things competing for your attention, which ultimately makes it somewhat unclear as to what this product is. Nixing the badge that calls attention to the omega 3 and hydration badge (both of which aren’t really tangible benefits) would make it easier on the eyes. Overall, we appreciate the effort to combine two of today’s hotter natural beverage trends into one, and the execution is great for a first effort. Reviewed on: 9/27/2012