KeHE Acquires Nature’s Best

The acquisition will broaden KeHE’s already expansive distribution footprint and will combine two like-minded wholesalers.

Review: Pure Hibi

Described as a "hibiscus flower tea," Pure Hibi comes in four varieties, with the flagship formulated organic hibiscus, sugar, ginger, and water. Packaging is a tall 16 oz. glass bottle with a paper label, which is clearly a first effort (and probably hand labeled). That’s a good thing as the label definitely needs some work -- if not a complete redesign.

Review: High Brew Coffee

Formulated with cold brew coffee and cream sweetened with a blend of stevia and cane sugar, High Brew made its depy at the 2014 Expo West show. The drinks are packaged in 8 oz. slim cans, shelf-stable and come in four varieties — Double Espresso, Mexican Vanilla, Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate Mocha High Brew Coffee. From both a flavor and packaging standpoint, the review team enjoyed the coffee, though some refinement could be helpful.

When Yin and Yang Disagree

Probably like me, you’ve been too busy tending to your own beverage affairs to invest much time following that entangled soap opera involving the feuding co-founders of AriZona Iced Tea.

Press Clips: Nestle Waters Catching Heat in the Desert

A news publication and several environmentally conscious Californians are questioning Nestle Waters North America Inc.’s actions in Cabazon, Calif., the location of a company-owned facility that produces Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water.

Review: FLUROwater

Infused with 14 nutrients and 6g of fiber, FLUROwater is promoted as "Water + Nutrition." The formulation of the beverages contains no sugar, preservatives, or dyes. While this is all well and good, it’s not clear how this product is better than other products that are fortified with nutrients.

Drinking to Live

Green juice. Protein-jacked shakes. Oat-based smoothies. Probiotic, drinkable yogurts. With the category having such an unclear identity, meal replacement has yet to define itself.

Kevin Durant to Endorse Sparkling ICE

Durant has long been a fan of the brand, having begun his NBA career with the Seattle Supersonics. The team played about 22 miles from Talking Rain headquarters in Preston, Wash., before relocating to Oklahoma City.

Review: Jax Coco (250 mL Bottles)

Using Philippine coconut water, the 250 mL glass bottles of Jax Coco are filed in China. It’s a pretty unique product from a packaging perspective -- you really don’t see many products in glass or at this small size. But is the bottle enough to differentiate the brand from other coconut waters?

Finding the Diet Cola Culprit

As whodunits go, it’s not exactly Murder on the Orient Express, but the causes for the slow bleed-out of the diet cola business are still worth exploring.

Review: Cold Stone Milk Shakers

In collaboration with Steuben Foods, Cold Stone Creamery recently launched Milk Shakers, a line of ready-to-drink shakes that come in three decadent varieties. It's clear that the goal of the brand is to translate the decadent flavors of Cold Stone into a convenient on-the-go product. With flavors that reach 450 calories and 15g of fat per bottle, the line is certainly decadent.