Runa

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Diet; Container: 8.4oz Can
BevNET Review: The Original variety of Runa Clean Energy is an impressively formulated zero-calorie energy drink. Unlike many other energy drinks that have an ingredient list that is a mile long, this product is made with only four ingredients: carbonated water, guayusa, natural flavors, and citric acid. It drinks very much like a carbonated tea with a nice earthy flavor from the guayusa and a subtle hit of sweetness that occurs naturally. However, this stuff packs a pretty potent caffeine punch, with 120mg per can, but it lacks all of the other ingredients that are common in energy drinks (e.g. B vitamins and things like taurine). For the target market, we’d bet that both of those are good things. And, more importantly, the lack of added sweeteners is a definite plus. Visually, we really like the design that they’ve created -- it feels very clean and professional. On the other hand, the unpainted backdrop doesn’t visually pop as much as a vibrant white can might (this would also match their flagship line more, which might be why they didn’t do this). In addition, it might be a good idea to point out that the drink doesn’t have added sweeteners (we would have assumed that it contains stevia just from looking at the front of the can). Regardless, we think that what they’ve created is extremely enjoyable and innovative. In many ways, an energy drink seems like a more logical format for a product that has as much natural caffeine as this one. Overall, an exceptional product that is definitely worth a try.Reviewed on: 5/6/2013

Product Type:Functional: Energy Drink: Regular; Container: 8.4oz Can
BevNET Review: The Berry flavor of Runa Clean Energy takes a slightly different approach than the Original variety, starting with the fact that it is not a zero calorie product. Instead, it’s sweetened with sugar to the modest tune of 19g per can (the product has 75 calories) and flavored with natural berry flavoring. Fortunately, it works quite well, with a flavor that’s almost comparable to raspberry iced tea (in carbonated form, of course). While we might like a drop less raspberry flavoring, it definitely feels like something that has mainstream potential as you certainly don’t need to be a guayusa fan to enjoy this product. In terms of energy, this product, which has only five ingredients, packs a nice punch of caffeine with 120mg per 250 mL can. Beyond that, the drink has, in the spirit of “clean energy,” skipped all the other ingredients that are typically in most energy drinks. In terms of branding and design, we like the look of the product and the artwork that they’ve chosen. The product feels very minimalist and polished, which is exactly how we’d describe what’s inside the can as well. But as we said in our review of the Original flavor, we feel as though a can that is more vibrant in color would give the can a stronger shelf presence. Overall, a very well-executed product that is definitely a great complement to the Original. Reviewed on: 5/6/2013

Product Type:Tea: Alternative; Container: 14oz Glass
BevNET Review: Runa’s approach to creating a zero calorie product is to simply forgo the sweetener, which allows the product to fully maintain the integrity of the original. From a flavor perspective, we like it a lot: the naturally complex flavor of the guayusa and the added guava havie more than enough taste to satisfy the palate. The earthy flavor of the guayusa is still very much the star of this product, with the guava flavor acting to complement, rather than compete. It’s a very well executed formulation that we could definitely drink again and again. And, like the other Runa flavors, you get the pop of 90mg of natural caffeine. Visually, we have slightly mixed feelings. On the one hand, they’ve kept the same look as the sugar sweetened flavors, which is definitely appealing to the eyes. On the other hand, the callout for “unsweetened” is small and easy to miss. Whether they like it or not, consumers who are familiar with the product probably will focus on the red “guava guayusa tea” and miss the notice about it being unsweetened. After all, it looks the same, it must be the same as the others, right? Still, this is a small issue that could be addressed with a larger visual callout. Overall, we’re big fans of what’s inside the bottle, but some tweaks to the outside would make it the complete package. Reviewed on: 2/20/2013

Product Type:Tea: Alternative; Container: 14oz Glass
BevNET Review: The Unsweetened Lime variety of Runa blends organic guayusa, natural flavors, and citric acid to create a product that is zero calorie. From a flavor perspective, this one has a fruit flavor that’s a lot more dominant than the guava flavoring that’s found in its unsweetened counterpart. It’s also a lot more acidic tasting and can start to overpower the guayusa flavor as you make your way through the bottle. That’s not a bad thing per se, but certainly a meaningful difference against the Unsweetened Guava flavor. Otherwise, this product has all of the caffeine (90mg) and antioxidants that Runa’s guayusa is known for. So whether you look at this as a tea alternative or an energy drink alternative, it’s definitely an impressive zero calorie effort. Visually, the product is very clean and appealing, just like the rest of the Runa flavors. But as we mentioned in the review of the Unsweetened Guava variety, we think that the unsweetened callout could be make a bit more prominent. Still, we think that’s a minor issue and one that ultimately doesn’t dampen the drinking experience. Overall, a very well-executed product and we’re extremely pleased that they didn’t load this drink up with stevia or another sugar alternative. Reviewed on: 2/20/2013

Product Type:Tea: Sweetened; Container: 14 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Runa’s Hibiscus Berry is a very clever twist on the classic raspberry iced tea. Starting with the same base of guayusa as the other flavors, Hibiscus Berry also has hibiscus tea added to the mix as well as organic yumberry and organic blueberry flavors. The resulting product tastes like an earthy black tea, but, unlike black tea, it has 90mg of caffeine per bottle. The fruit flavors and hibiscus work very well together, delivering a balanced but complex flavor that doesn’t rely too heavily on the added cane sugar. And with only 50 calories per bottle, you’ll be hard pressed to find a tea beverage that delivers more flavor than this one. Visually, the label looks clean and modern, with the red color feeling like a good match for the overall aesthetic of the product. Overall, this is a very strong product from Runa and possibly our favorite flavor of the line.Reviewed on: 5/4/2012

Product Type:Tea: Alternative; Container: 14 oz glass
BevNET Review: As with most tea beverages, lemon and lemongrass are quite complementary to the slightly earthy flavor of Runa’s guayusa tea. Adding in a touch of sugar (14g per bottle), the product feels very much like an upscale and more exotic take on classic lemon flavored black tea. However, unlike black tea, guayusa packs a caffeine punch, with 90 mg of caffeine per bottle, as well as loads of antioxidants (the ORAC value is 2491). Visually, the lemons amongst the guayusa leaves makes the product whet the appetite and be easily identified as a lemon tea. However, if we’re picking nits, the upside down lemon is distracting (although we’re not sure what a solution is if they want to keep the same design). And, in the longer run, we wonder if the Runa brand would benefit from some more personality or youthfulness to it. Finally, we’d suggest simplifying the name to either “Lemon” or “Lemongrass” (if they want the drink to sound more exotic). The current name is a mouthful and somewhat redundant. Overall, despite these concerns, this is still our favorite flavor of the line.Reviewed on: 3/26/2012

Product Type:Tea: Alternative; Container: 14 oz glass
BevNET Review: Playing off of another classic tea combination of tea and mint, Guayusa’s Mint variety is flavored exclusively with spearmint extract and lightly sweetened (only 14g per bottle) with sugar. The mint does a very nice job of giving the product a refreshing feel, while also making the guayusa taste even more like black tea (and therefore more familiar) than the other varieties. Plus, it tastes very high quality -- almost like what you’d make at home. Functionally, guayusa’s natural caffeine content gives the product a decent amount of kick -- 90mg per bottle. It’s also naturally rich in antioxidants, with an ORAC value of 1719 per bottle. Visually, it looks like a super premium RTD tea, which is certainly the area of the cooler that it will occupy. However, the plain white background is something that makes the product look like either a diet drink or a store brand. Perhaps a subtle color or pattern would alleviate this. Overall, another enjoyable flavor for the Runa line. Reviewed on: 3/26/2012

Product Type:Tea: Alternative; Container: 14 oz glass
BevNET Review: Runa’s Traditional Guayusa Tea is the flagship flavor of their line of brewed guayusa beverages. Guayusa, which is not actually a tea but the dried leaves from an Ecuadorian tree, has a familiar and pleasing flavor to it that’s on par with black tea. They’ve kept the formulation rather simple, with only cane sugar and citric acid added to the mix. The result is something that has a very light level of sweetness and only 50 calories per 14 oz. bottle. Functionally, the product has a high ORAC value (antioxidants) and 90mg of caffeine per bottle (on par with a standard 8 oz. energy drink). Visually, the slim 14 oz. bottle is clean and appealing, with a design that makes it very easy to identify this as a “tea.” We like the name and the “focused energy” tagline, although it would probably be even better if it were “focused energy tea.” Overall, we really like what they’ve created. It tastes great and definitely feels like a product that should have strong appeal in the natural channel.Reviewed on: 3/26/2012