New York New York (March 2016) ITO EN, the Brooklyn based beverage company and premier leaders of green tea announced that they will launch Matcha Colada, a new hybrid ready-to-drink under their award-winning line Matcha LOVE at Natural Products Expo West on March 11-13 in Anaheim, California. Matcha LOVE was most recently awarded Best of 2015 -“Best Tea” by BEVNET the leading authority on beverages.
The new Matcha Colada celebrates the authentic taste and restorative powers of Japan’s famed green tea powder- matcha, and coconut water’s hydrating benefits and natural electrolytes of potassium, calcium and magnesium. Made with 70% coconut water from young coconuts harvested from Southern Thailand, the new Matcha Colada has no added sugar and is sweetened naturally with coconut water. Perfectly balanced with the fresh umami taste of 100% pure matcha and vitality of ingesting the entire green tea leaf, Matcha Colada is only 70 calories per 16.9 fl. oz. bottle. Packed with powerful antioxidants and Vitamin C, matcha is known to enhance mood and be a natural energy boost. Drinking matcha also gives a calm alertness and mental clarity, attributed to the amino acid, L-Theanine.
“Matcha Colada was inspired after experimenting with the top ingredient trends of matcha and coconut water,” says Adam Hertel, V.P. of Grocery & Natural Sales, “It led to a nice discovery that they balance and complement each other, not just in taste, but in their functional benefits. We are taking a fun and playful approach to a new hybrid product that hits on a current tea innovation trend.”
The festive and colorful Matcha Colada unveils a newly improved package design for Matcha LOVE, redesigned for a vibrant shelf presence and stronger call out of the flavor profiles. Taking a modern take on an ancient ritual, the Matcha LOVE line offers ceremonial and culinary matcha powder, teabags and convenient on-the-go “no fuss” matcha drinks, both in unsweetened and sweetened.
“We’ve put the matcha in the coconut to shake things up a bit,” says Rona Tison, Sr. V.P. of Corporate Relations for ITO EN.” If you can’t escape to a tropical paradise, the Matcha Colada will transport you to a place of fun and zen relaxation, without the calories of a rich Pina Colada.”
Matcha LOVE® is available in specialty food stores, natural and mainstream markets nationwide. SRP $2.49 for 16.9 fl oz. PETE bottle. For more information please visit www.matchalove.com or itoen.com.
About ITO EN:
ITO EN (North America) INC., a subsidiary of ITO EN (Japan) LTD., is an innovative beverage industry leader dedicated to creating authentic products that embody the company’s five principles of Natural, Healthy, Safe, Well-designed and Delicious. ITO EN is specifically known as a global leader in green tea with award-winning brands, including TEAS’ TEA®, Oi Ocha, ITO EN Shots, Matcha LOVE® and Jay Street Coffee®.