Guayakí Yerba Mate Organic Energy Drink

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 oz can
BevNET Review: Guayaki is one of many premium tea (and tea “alternative”) companies to introduce an aluminum package into its lineup. In this case, they’ve gone with a lemon-flavored mate, which makes for a marketable and flavorful combination. The product is USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified, sweetened with sugar (organic evaporated cane juice), and features 150 mg of natural caffeine (from the mate extract) per can. From a flavor point of view, it’s extremely easy to drink, with “tea” and lemon flavors that are reminiscent of the classic combo of black tea and lemon. They’ve kept the sweetness to a reasonable level, with only 26g of sugar per 16 ounce can, which further enhances the drinking experience as the product has a very light mouth feel. Plus, the product’s caffeine content makes it a great alternative to coffee or a traditional energy drink. On the packaging front, they’ve done a great job of creating something that looks earthy and hip. Honestly, we prefer this look over their flagship glass line, which has a more whimsical design to it. As a result, this is definitely a product that could take the Guayaki brand to new levels and into mainstream accounts. Overall, an exceptionally well executed product that’s mainstream in nature, but also true to the brand’s roots.Reviewed on: 10/21/2009

Product Type:Tea: Alternative; Container: 16 oz glass
BevNET Review: From a flavor point of view, this is an extremely enjoyable SKU that they've done a good job of executing. There are nice mate and hibiscus flavors, which have been perfectly combined with raspberry and cranberry juices/flavors before being sweetened with sugar. All of these ingredients work in harmony, delivering a drink that's well balanced in terms of the herbal and fruit flavors. Packaging is good, but we don't think the name "Pure Heart" tells you what the drink is (perhaps "Pure Raspberry Heart" would work better?"). Otherwise, the imagery gives the drink credibility as a super premium organic beverage -- which is exactly what it is.Reviewed on: 9/30/2009

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 fl oz glass (473 ml)
BevNET Review: Well, we wouldn’t say we felt much purer of mind than we did caffeinated when we slurped our way through this, but we did feel like the Guayaki team has done a pretty fair job of cutting the at-times earthy, ashy taste of yerba mate with a fruity splash of pomegranate. The result is a mix that’s full in body, but finishes with a refreshing (and familiar) fruit flavor. Unlike many other pomegranate flavored teas, they’ve used restraint, so the fruit flavor doesn’t get in the way of the main mate flavor. That’s good news for both the consumer and Guayaki, who has managed to hit the nail on the head with something that is both marketable and true to their roots. From a positioning point of view, the “Clarity” aspect seems a bit lost in the shuffle, with the product assuming that the consumer is able to connect ginkgo biloba to the product’s function. But like other flavors, the product can win on taste alone. So, we’d like to see the product state its flavor a bit more prominently. Otherwise, we really wouldn’t change a thing.Reviewed on: 9/30/2009

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 fl oz glass (473 ml)
BevNET Review: This Mate blend is as good as any we’ve tasted, with a hint of sugar and passionfruit and peach extracts creating a sweet, exotic flavor that’s about as mainstream tasting as a mate flavor can get. We think there’s a lot of synergy between the exotic Mate and the tropical passionfruit, with the note of tropical flavor helping to counter the earthy flavor of the mate. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, and contains 98 percent organic ingredients. The label has a Garden of Eden thing going on, but it’s easy to miss unless you’re looking very close. Otherwise, it feels authentic and polished, which lets you quickly know that you’ve got a high quality product on your hands. Overall, a very well executed product from Guayaki.Reviewed on: 9/30/2009

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 fl oz glass (473 ml)
BevNET Review: For the pure mate lovers (and those averse to sugar), Guayaki has created this flavor. It’s rather acidic in its flavor (as pure mate is), which makes it a variety that you probably don’t want to try first if you’re new to mate. But as far as mate products go, this one is spot on. Pure Mate has only 30 calories per bottle, natural caffeine, and scores higher than even green tea in terms of ORAC (antioxidant value). Packaging is simple and clean, having only a yellow backdrop behind the Guayaki logo and the front panel text. They’ve placed the USDA Organic logo off to the side, which is probably the right place for it, while easy to read sans-serif text is used for the flavor name. This makes for a nice blend of authenticity and practicality, allowing the product to have a polished shelf presence. Overall, if you’re a mate drinker, you can’t go wrong with Guayaki’s Unsweetened Mate. Reviewed on: 9/30/2009

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 fl oz glass (473 ml)
BevNET Review: Pure Endurance serves a dual purpose as Guayaki’s citrus flavored blend as well as its sports drink. There’s added tangerine and acerola juice, which cut the flavor of the mate nicely and left an easy-to-drink mainstream flavor. It’s moderately sweet (12g of sugar per serving) and has an enjoyable earthy mate flavor to the finish. From a functional point of view, they’ve added electrolytes to the mix, making a product that has added functionality on top of the caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline that is naturally found in yerba mate. From a positioning point of view, a sports tea is definitely an interesting approach, but Guayaki doesn’t push it too hard. Really, that seems like a smart move, especially since the citrus flavor and the base of mate are ultimately why the consumer is drinking this product. That being said, promoting the flavor on equal footing with the endurance function would probably help this product sell to new consumers. Overall, awesome taste and unique benefits make this a very enjoyable product.Reviewed on: 9/30/2009

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 fl oz glass (473 ml)
BevNET Review: Guayaki’s Traditional Mate not only provides a nice kick of natural caffeine, but it delivers a very enjoyable flavor that should, at this stage in the game, have mainstream appeal. Mildly sweetened with organic cane juice and flavored with a splash of lemon juice, this product has a mellow mate flavor that’s smooth from start to finish. They’ve done a nice job of making a formula that shows how mate can be an alternative to tea by delivering what’s effectively their take on tea with lemon. This USDA Organic product is so gulpable that halfway through the bottle we were completely hooked. On the packaging front, they’ve created something that’s earthy and authentic, yet easy to read and identify with their trademark yellow color. Overall, a great product that sets the stage for the rest of the brand – and the bar for the rest of the category.Reviewed on: 9/30/2009

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 16 fl oz glass (473 ml)
BevNET Review: A nice mix of Yerba Mate and tea, including rooibos and mint, that really work together nicely. This “organic energy drink” is slightly minty and slightly sweet, like a faded mint gum, but it does a great job of waking you up. Plus, it’s only 76 calories for the entire bottle, which makes for a very nice alternative to mainstream teas. And the bottle design itself isn’t bad, a nice, basic, yellow label and a clean glass wide mouth style. Pretty good alternative for tea lovers who need to wake up.Reviewed on: 9/30/2009