Fruitology

Product Type:Dairy: Dairy Alternative; Container: 16 oz PET
BevNET Review: Fruitology’s Horchata describes itself as a “creamy, natural cinnamon vanilla flavored beverage.” Conceptually, that’s exactly what we like to see in a horchata. However, that’s not really an accurate description of what’s inside the bottle. The product, which pours with a cloudy white color and is rather thin looking, lacks in the “creamy” department. Instead, we taste sugar, cinnamon, and a sharp note of citrus (the drink has added lemon juice) that lingers through the finish. Somewhere in the middle, we did get a hint of vanilla, but it disappeared all too fast. All in all, this formulation definitely leaves something to be desired. On the outside, we’re again left feeling like the concept and the execution are really at odds. Conceptually, the drink seems to be going for an authentic look, starting with the painted tile graphic around the neck. However, the belly of the bottle falls flat, with a bland-looking off-white backdrop. But there’s a bigger issue -- the lack of a brand. The product has a small “Fruitology” logo, which appears to be the drink’s parent company. The “Horchata” is therefore what seems to be the brand of the product. For us, that’s no different than branding a soda as “Cola.” Rethinking this, and cutting down on the front panel text, would be the places to start. Overall, this is a product that is in need of a lot of refinement.Reviewed on: 2/6/2012