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Zevia stevia soda taste tests testy tastebuds and triumphs
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Zevia, you cheeky scamps have done it. Beautifully. I love you as much as is socially acceptable.
As with the X-Files' latest film, 'I want to believe' was my mantra when I was told about a product called Zevia; still, after a 24 year Diet Coke addiction, I had finally sworn off all artificial sweeteners and wasn't about to replace one addiction with another.
Then along came the natural sweetener in an herb called stevia.
Stevia, while indigenous to subtropic regions, is a plant which can be grown locally in many gardening zones across the United States. While not currently allowed as a sweetener in the United States, Cargill and Coca Cola are working to patent Truvia, a stevia derived sweetener.
Granted, when it comes to soda and chemicals, I have my concerns: any chemical versions of stevia, especially at the hands of a soda company--can that be healthy? I mean come on.
Ian Eisenberg of Zevia came to me and immediately (and with full disclosure) addressed my concerns in-depth. Better yet, I not only tried the soda as a result of his enthusiasm and knowledge about the ingredients in not only his beverage but others, I brought a case of Zevia with me on an RV trip to the Pacific Northwest. Being able to test the product in a real-world situation with four kids and travel shored up the obvious for me: Zevia is a hit.
For the folks out there (like me), who are concerned about what is going into their bodies, a breakdown of all ingredients is openly disclosed, along with their role in the beverage. No polysyllabic latinates will cross your sweet lips without explanation (example: erythritol), and all ingredients are considered carefully prior to implentation.
Zevia comes in 4 flavors: Natural Ginger Root Beer, Natural Twist, Natural Cola and Natural Orange.
We popped open cans of the Zevia on the 2,000 mile, three-day jaunt across the western half of the country. For my oldest son, the Natural Orange was his favorite flavor. Its zesty, independent citrus notes left a fresh aftertaste, and was enjoyed throroughly. For my pre-teen daughter, Natural Twist, the 7-Upesque lemon-lime drink was refreshing, cool perfection, perfect for the travel through sultry Utah landscapes. Its flavors lifted tastebuds to play from dormancy, and, again, the aftertaste was very light and zippy. My younger boy went immediately for the Natural Ginger Root Beer. A pretty hard-core root beer afficionado, he loved its easy, soothing taste, citing that the addition of ginger made for a wonderful combination of two standards: root beer and ginger ale. For the adults in the family, the Natural Cola was the favorite, having a very light taste coupled with the standard amount of caffeine (45 mg) to keep us alert while we traversed road construction through Idaho (in the dark. With me driving. I have no night vision. Think Mr. Magoo with arm flaps.)
Erithrytol caused no indigestion problems whatsoever (Mr. Eisenberg told me that the guilt by association that erithrytol is without merit. This sugar alcohol is actually quite easy on the colon), and there were no resultant cravings which sometimes come about as a result of the use of other sugar alcohols.
Pet Peeve? The product is difficult to find in stores. Since Zevia is a small, grass roots company, it takes more effort to see their product make it to stores. That's where consumers come in. By checking here for local stores carrying the product, or request a store carry Zevia, people looking for a real, all-natural cola will be taking an active step in making voices heard. Zevia can also be ordered online and by phone.
Additionally, for a limited time, Zevia is offering free samples to consumers. Shipping and handling is a little bit pricey, but so are gas costs these days, and UPS drivers have to make a living, too.
Scully and Mulder may still be looking for the truth, but I've found truthfully what I enjoy in a diet beverage: whole, healthy ingredients, a light, zesty flavor, and a fresh aftertaste. These aren't chemicals concocted in a factory. Think of Zevia as the new microbrew of healthy low-glycemic beverages.
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