Continuing with our highlights from this year’s Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, here are five new gluten-free beverages that we think stand out from the pack. Watch for our gluten-free bar picks tomorrow followed by a wrap-up of gluten-free news and trends from this year’s event.
Taste Nirvana Real Coconut Water with Thai Chili Extract: Combining the refreshing qualities of coconut water with the stimulating effects of chili, this was one of the most talked about drinks at the Expo and definitely our favorite. The undertone of spice is subtle and the glass bottle means you needn't worry about BPA contamination. With only two ingredients and no added sweeteners, this would make a great post-workout drink or an invigorating way to kickstart the day.
Dream Latte Coffee and Almond Drinks: Hain-Celestial took their line of nut-based beverages in a new direction this year, launching ready-to-drink lattes in Caramel and Mocha flavors. We tried the Caramel and feel it is worthy of a high-end coffee shop. You’d never know it’s gluten and dairy free. Both varieties come in convenient 11oz single-serve tetra-paks and are delicious on their own, but would also be ideal for use in homemade iced coffee beverages.
’Tude Juices: Open a bottle of this unique line of apple juices and you’ll think you’ve just bitten into a fresh-picked apple. High-pressure pasteurization results in a product that smells, looks and tastes just like the fruit it’s been pressed from. ’Tude juices are unfiltered and cold-pressed to retain enzymes and nutrients and come in five varieties including Fuji’tude, Honey’tude (from Honey Crisp), Pinky’tude (from Pink Lady) and the pucker-worthy Granny’tude (our favorite). Definitely a must-try.
Blue Buddha Beverages: These ready-to-drink teas contain functional herbs designed to help promote energy (Vitality), instill calm (Serenity), counter the effects of aging (Radiance), and support the immune system (Wellness). Although they look unassuming in the bottle, each drink is uniquely complex in taste and the packaging is soothing and beautiful. All varieties are caffeine free and contain only 35 calories per bottle.
KeVita: It’s easy to see why this is the fastest-growing probiotic beverage in the country. KeVita has a slight fizz and only a mild tartness, making it our favorite of all the drinks of its kind we tried at the Expo. We were surprised to find it tasted a lot like a healthy soda. This year the brand launched two new flavors, Mojita (lime mint coconut) and Daily Cleanse (with lemon and cayenne). Both are light and refreshing and would make great everyday drinks.
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