Kuka

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 8.3 oz can
BevNET Review: Kuka is a 100% natural beverage that’s based on coca leaf extract. If you’re like us, coca leaf isn’t a taste you can immediately anticipate. In any event, this non carbonated beverage is lightly sweetened with sugar and has what we’d describe as a mellow tea-like flavor. There’s a subtle earthiness to it, but it’s smoother than mate. However, the benefits of the product aren’t as easy to understand, offering to “keep you refreshed all day.” It contains caffeine, but only 28mg per 8 oz. can (a little more than you’ll find in 8 ounces of Coca-Cola), so it’s not really an energy drink. Packaging is simple and clean to the eye, but the front panel fails to give you a sense of what the drink is (or tastes like). Turning the can around, it doesn’t get much better, although we do find it interesting that a product touting the Andes Mountains is produced in Italy before coming to the US. Really, this is just one symptom of Kuka’s problem, which is that the drink’s purpose – whatever it may be – is something that needs to be made obvious and appealing. Overall, this product is clearly in its infancy and has a long way to go if it’s going to be successful.Reviewed on: 12/23/2009