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26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Seriously Interesting Juice-Like Experience, May 27, 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I note that Snapple is now offering an Acai/Blackberry drink, so we're on the razor's edge of trendy beveraging here, people.
The product package shows a nice bendy-straw protruding up out of some fruit--acai berries/nuts?--so it's not too clear if a straw is supposed to come with the product, a la your traditional juice boxes, like Capri Sun . Mine had no straw, so I had no choice but to gouge open the foil portal and pour it into a clear glass. That was the first indicator that this was a new juice experience.
As others have pointed out, maybe the product is packaged in this vessel for a reason, as the drink really isn't that appetizing in appearance. I agree; it plain doesn't look that good. The color reminded me instantly of the chocolate river in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, or maybe some really deep chocolate milk, with a very distinct smoky-pink tinge to it. Maybe even a very, very runny liver pate'. Not a clear beverage, not even close.
Pouring it I could also detect a distinct, thick texture to the drink. It doesn't pour like a clear juice. It wasn't quite the densely pulpy texture of V-8, but it was obvious that this was not a highly refined or otherwise filtered juice beverage.
The scent was interesting, and really the first positive to come of this trial. My very first impression was a very subtle coffee scent. It was most definitely not a powerful, citrusy or otherwise fruity scent; actually, the scent was much more of a deep vegetable type. It wasn't off-putting necessarily, but the scent told me I most definitely wasn't about to drink something with a name like Citrus Burst! or whatever.
Then it was time to drink. My first sensation was the texture, and it was just a little less pulpy than V-8. Thankfully, it was far less dense and pulpy than I anticipated, with none of that squishy pulpy feel on the palate. The taste did take a bit of getting used to, but was not unpleasant at all. I offered some to my 9 year-old son, and the trouper that he was, he tried it and pronounced that it wasn't too bad. He said it tasted "weird" for fruit juice, but that it didn't taste bad. He did say he'd pick a Capri Sun or other juice box over this if given the choice. He definitely wasn't thrilled by the color either.
I drank some more and finished it pretty quickly. It was most definitely thirst-quenching, and I thoroughly enjoyed the taste. It is crisp and direct, a clear fruit taste, but I have to wonder if I'm tasting the acai or the acerola. Well, does it really matter? The aftertaste is very subtle and dry, surprising for a drink this thick/pulpy. It's about 10 minutes later now, and I've still got a hint of the flavor, but it's the same subtle fruitiness, non at all metallic or unpleasant.
Note that the 11 oz. container packs 157 calories. It was good, but I'm a routinely diet drinker, so that has got me turning away. I'll drink a free one courtesy of Amazon.com anytime, but wouldn't pay for one simply because of this. I also note that the price is pretty steep per unit, awfully spendy for a beverage, especially when the average cost of a 12 oz. name-brand soda from a machine is about $1.00.
Offsetting the calories is the apparent other health benefits, with lots of anti-oxidants, Omega 3/6/9, vitamins B, C and E, minerals (unspecified) and ellagic acid (whatever in the world that is) and other exotic good stuff. That pulp contributes 32g of carbs. I point out that the copy on the packaging is a median pomegranate color, against a silvery-purple background, and in a tiny font. It was just about impossible to read, until the package was canted just so under a strong lamp. O.N.E.: make your product narrative easily readable, since it's a central part of your marketing.
The ingredients are pretty straightforward, with 100% acai and acerola. But then I see there's "evaporated cane juice." What exactly is this, and what's its percentage in the product? Is this product flavored sugar water?
Also interesting is that nowhere on the packaging does it say exactly what this product is. Is it a "juice beverage," or simply "juice?" It's deeply unknowable, apparently.
Bottom line: Thanks, Amazon.com for the free trial of this tasty beverage. Its color is unappetizing and texture is pretty thick, not good for a first impression. The scent is mild and not unpleasant. And the taste is quite good, thirst-quenching and with a pleasant, lingering aftertaste. I enjoyed this product and recommend it, but have to admit that its caloric content and price make it pretty unlikely I will purchase it.
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