Bite of the Best

The Formula, by Cirqua Customized Water, formulates a gallon of distilled water into the water for brewing a cup of tea or coffee. These packets are a patented blend of minerals, which when mixed with distilled water recreates the same water used in restaurants and coffee/tea shops.

One dose of The Formula, plus a gallon of distilled water is all it takes to reach the optimum mineral balance needed in the extraction of coffee, tea, cooking bread, pancakes or pizza dough. Each 2-tube packet includes on or more of the following minerals: Calcium Chloride, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate and demineralized water

Guayaki Pure Body Peach Immune Support Blend is made completely from plant-based ingredients and is fortified with the immunity-boosting herbs Schisandra berry, Astragalus and Echinacea. Yerba mate, a nutrient-rich source of natural energy, contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and a trio of stimulants (caffeine, theophylline and theobromine)

Guayakí Pure Body Peach Immune Support Blend contains 40 calories and only 40 milligrams of caffeine per serving – caffeine levels comparable to bottled iced tea or half a cup of coffee. As an added benefit, yerba mate is thermogenic and produces metabolic stimulation, which can help reduce appetite.

Pomegranate Blueberry is the newest flavor of Fruit2day, a healthy, on-the-go chilled fruit snack product. This all-natural snack offers consumers a convenient way to enjoy the goodness of fruit with two full servings in each bottle. With no added sugar and natural juices, Fruit2day has captured the imaginations of health-conscious consumers who are actively looking to get more fruit in their diets. Fruit2day comes in five flavor combinations: Cherry Grape, Mango Peach, Pineapple Banana, Strawberry Orange and Pomegranate Blueberry. The suggested retail price is $2.99 for a 2-pack and $1.49 for a single-serve.

The world’s first organic ready-to-drink meal replacement. Formulated by Dr. Andrew Abraham, to be the “healthiest drink in the world”, Orgain contains:
- 16 grams of organic protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and a synergistic immune and vitamin blend
- The antioxidant equivalence of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, with ingredients that include  kale, beets, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, bananas, acai and raspberries

Orgain retails for $3.59 per bottle and is available in Whole Foods, Wegman’s, and small natural/specialty grocery stores nationwide

Kefir is a healthy, drink/yogurt shake, and a staple in much of Europe. In recent months, Kefir has received praise in the US for its nutritional benefits and can be found in Target, Whole Foods, and all other leading grocery stores. Lifeway Kefir, a dairy drink, and Lifeway SoyTreat, its non-dairy cousin, have their roots more than 2,000 years ago in the Caucasus Mountains. The cultures in Lifeway Kefir alleviate the unpleasant side effects that can be associated with milk consumption, even in people who are lactose intolerant. Kefir also provides “good” bacteria in the form of 10 live probiotic cultures. Studies show that these bacteria enhance the immune system, promote gastrointestinal health, aid in vitamin and mineral absorption, cancer prevention, and may help lower blood cholesterol.

Crystal Light Pure Fitness is the brand’s first low-calorie fitness beverage mix with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners. It’s sweetened with evaporated cane juice and Truvia, an all-natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant.

With 15 calories per 8-ounce serving and electrolytes to aid hydration, Pure Fitness provides a great option for women on-the-go. Each packet will transform a 16.9-ounce bottle or glass of water into a light, refreshing beverage. Pure Fitness is caffeine and gluten free, and one 8-ounce serving contains three grams of sugar.

The 8-ounce slim cans of V8 V-Fusion juice are part of Campbell’s North America Foodservice division’s effort to expand its line of beverages that meet the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s nutritional requirements for products served in schools. Campbell added two new, on-trend varieties of V8 V-Fusion: Cranberry Blackberry and Acai Mixed Berry Light which are available in a variety of sizes, including 46-ounce bottles. The addition of these new varieties brings the V8 V-Fusion juice portfolio to 12 juices and juice drinks, including Goji Raspberry, Passionfruit Tangerine, Acai Mixed Berry, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pomegranate Blueberry Light, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Banana Light, Peach Mango, Peach Mango Light and Tropical Orange.

Zola, maker of the first bottled Açaí juice, launched: Zola LIGHT Açaí, the world’s first low-sugar, low calorie, Açaí juice. Naturally sweetened with Stevia, Zola LIGHT Açaí uses Açaí pulp available to deliver just as many antioxidants (over 4,000 ORAC per bottle), Omega-3, 6 and 9 EFAs and energy as its Original Açaí Juice, but with 50 percent less sugar and nearly 50 percent fewer calories.

Bols Genever, considered to be one of the ‘original spirits’ from the 19th century cocktail era, will introduce modern-day drinkers to this reemerging and unique spirit category. Bols Genever is a blend of the unique multi-grain distillate called maltwine with a carefully selected and secret blend of botanicals; the result is a superior quality malty spirit with a unique smooth character at 42%. Imported by Cattani Imports, the re-birth of Bols Genever, considered to be one of the ‘original white spirits’, will introduce modern day drinkers to this re-emerging and unique spirit category.

Fruit2O Essentials is a zero-calorie water fortified with some of the vitamins, minerals and fiber found in two servings of fruit. There is no fruit juice in these bottles, only purified water with added vitamins, electrolytes, minerals and fiber. Fruit20 Essentials fortified water is available in six varieties, and is sold in supermarkets and retail stores nationwide for $1.29 to $1.49 per 18-oz bottle.

R.W. Knudsen’s non-alcoholic celebratory beverages are packed in champagne-style bottles. R.W. Knudsen beverages do not contain added sugar, artificial flavors or preservatives. The celebratory beverages are available nationwide at natural food stores and the natural section of your local grocery store.

SUSTA is a natural, low calorie, low-glycemic, antioxidant sweetening system that supports healthy blood sugar levels & energy. The SUSTA sweetener is available online and in select supermarkets and retail stores nationwide.

Honest Kids Appley Ever After is a light and refreshing apple variety of Honest Kids organic thirst quenchers. The Appley Ever After variety is available starting Fall 2009 and will retail at Whole Foods markets for between $3.99 to $4.99 per eight 6.75-oz pouches.

Naked Juice announced that it has become the first nationally-distributed brand to transition to a 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. The Naked Juice reNEWabottle is currently available nationally in a 32-oz bottle.

Ayala’s Herbal Waters are the first nationally available USDA-certified Organic flavored water on the market with zero calories, zero artificial additives and zero preservatives. Ayala’s herbal waters are available nationwide in 16-oz bottles.

Capri Sun Sunrise Juice Drink contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and contains 100% Vitamin C and 10% Calcium. The new Capri Sun Sunrise drinks are available in a variety of new flavors.

Pacific Natural Foods Simply Coffee, Simply Tea and Simply Mate have released 12 new ready-to-drink organic beverages served in a one-of-a-kind aseptic prisma package. The new beverages are available as of June 2009.

Fruit2O Essentials is a zero-calorie fortified water that provides the nutrients found in two servings of fruit, in every bottle. Fruit2O Essentials are available in 18-oz bottles and in a variety of flavors.

FRS Healthy Energy products are powered by the antioxidant quercetin to provide sustained energy. FRS Health drinks are available in 11.5-oz cans in a variety of retailers nationwide.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto by Krups is an innovative, single-cup coffee machine designed with 15 bars of pressure. Nescafé Dolce Gusto includes a free starter kit, variety pack of drink flavors and a helpful guide.

healthdropz are a low-calorie concentrated mix of vitamins, herbs and select natural ingredients that, when added to 8oz of any beverage, provide a daily boost of energy. healthdropz are packaged in a lipstick-size container, and are available in three varieties

Oregon Chai’s newest addition is Peppermint Chai, a blend of black tea, honey and chai spices with the cool taste of peppermint added for a twist. The new chai concentrate is available in select supermarkets nationwide

Evolve Kefir is lowfat smoothies that offers 11 active cultures, including two probiotic strains that aid in digestion. The smoothie is high in calcium, and a source of low-fat protein.

Jones GABA soda features the performance enhancing PharmaGABA. GABA is a non-caffeinated tea-juice blend clinically proven to relieve stress and improve mental acuity by reducing beta brain waves and increasing alpha waves.

HiBix OOBA tea is a gently carbonated, lightly sweetened beverage as “exotic and beautiful as the hibiscus flower from which they’re made.” OOBA tea is available in five varieties and sold nationally in Whole Foods supermarkets.