Review: Mamma Chia Vitality + Energy

Making its debut at the recently held 2014 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, Mamma Chia Vitality + Energy is an extension of the company's popular line of chia drinks. As with its flagship line, the organic beverages are made with hydrated chia seeds and fruit juice. Added to the mix are 90 mg of caffeine sourced from guayusa and cane sugar, with the blend packaged in a slim 10 oz. glass bottle. So how did it all turn out?

Review: Zone 8

Named for a geographically defined area where tea plants are most commonly grown, Zone 8 is promoted as a line of "great tasting, culturally relevant teas and juice blends that redefine what natural means." The beverages are quite tasty, but we feel as though the branding and positioning are slightly out of sync with what's inside the bottle.

News in Juice (of the Cold-Pressed Variety)

We may be facing the last throes of summer, but it’s clear that cold-pressed juice companies are anything but content to lean back and soak in the sun.

Review: Aloe Very

Once anointed as the next coconut water, enthusiasm for aloe vera drinks appears to be somewhat tempered these days. Nevertheless, there remains a steady trickle of new entrants to the category, including Aloe Very, a new three-SKU line of USDA certified organic blends.

Sweet Talk: A Profile of Stevia Pioneer James May

James May, the man who brought stevia to the U.S., wanted to offer consumers a healthy alternative to sugar. But before he got there, he faced more than the usual set of bureaucratic roadblocks.

Review: Bolthouse Farms Kids Smoothies

Bolthouse Farms Kids Smoothies are the company's newest addition to its portfolio of beverages premium juices and smoothies. Made with an all-natural formulation including fruit purees and juices from concentrate and no added preservatives, the company promotes the drinks as being "designed for maximum kid craveability." In a crowded category, however, the line is not one that’s overly innovative or unique.

Analysts, Investors Cheer Coke Investment in Monster

The announcement that the Coke has acquired a minority stake in Monster elicited a swarm of analyst reports on the purchase, which most view as immensely positive for both companies.

Garden of Flavor Responds to FDA Letter

“We respectfully disagree with the FDA letter,” said founder Lisa Reed. “At Garden of Flavor, current good manufacturing practices, sanitation and food safety is our top priority."

Review: AriZona Oak Reserve Tea

Taking a cue from flavor innovation often seen in alcoholic beverages, AriZona Beverages has launched a new line of teas brewed with oak chips. AriZona’s Oak Reserve Tea is certainly an interesting concept, but we're not clear as to why a consumer would choose this product over another tea.