I was finally able to track down some Zevia soda this weekend. Our Whole Foods doesn’t carry it, but Earth Fare does (on the other side of town!) A friend picked up 3 six-packs, one each of the cola, lemon/lime and orange flavors. These are zero calorie alternatives to diet sodas or chemical/sugar laden regular sodas.
The ingredients are all natural, there are no artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup or even everyone’s new favorite Splenda (mmm, would you like some chlorine with your sugar?) The soda can not say it’s sweetened with Stevia because our wonderful government says that it can’t be marketed as a sweetener in the US–mostly because NutraSweet, Splenda and Equal would disappear instantly if that was allowed. So the drinks are marketed as a health supplement. I guess Coca-cola should be marketed as an anti-health drink. I digress. Back to the Zevia.
Two thumbs up for the Cola flavor. I even had a self-proclaimed Diet Coke addict try it and she said it was do-able and gave her the caffeine fix she needed in the morning. I thought it was perfect! I didn’t get that terrible fuzzy feeling on my teeth that I get when I drink a regular Coke. I’ll be purchasing more of this for myself and to give samples to clients.
The lemon/lime and orange flavors were so/so. I would give them 3 out of 5 stars. The in ital flavor was OK, but there was a distinct Stevia after taste. I would prefer my homemade soda to these even if mine have a few calories from the actual fruit. These could use a little more fiddling to get the flavor right. My mother, on the other hand, LOVES them. I almost didn’t get to try these flavors because she was drinking them so quickly. I know what to keep on hand when she visits!
There is a fourth flavor that I didn’t try but will seek out the next time I’m at Earth Fare: Root beer. I have high-hopes for this one!
I also think the company could easily add a ginger-ale. I would be singing high praises to them if they could get the flavor right. I would also hand them to every client as a great drink to keep handy for sick kids or anyone that may have an upset stomach.
Locate a store near you that sells Zevia here.
1 Comment
October 27, 2008 at 5:12 am
Be sure to try the root beer if you can find it… I think the cola is okay… the lemon-lime is kinda funky tasting… but the root beer is excellent.