Chersi Duchesse Pear soda: Despite the Russian labeling, this fizzy beverage is made in the US. Oddly, the soda had a bubblegum-flavored aftertaste, though the initial taste was faintly pear-like. Sugary, but not unexpectedly so (38g per bottle). Color-wise, the soda is copper-toned, like a dark ginger ale. 2.5/5.0
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Green Valley Organics Blueberry Pomegranate Acai kefir: This lactose-free drink is on the sweet side (23g of sugar per serving) but also has a slight tartness and clean flavor. While the bottle indicated 4 servings, the drink was thick and filling enough that I easily got 6 servings worth. It reminds me a bit of a gogurt for adults: much thicker and using better quality ingredients. 3.5/5.0
greenvalleyorganics organic kefir blueberry pomegranate acai drinks 3.5 recommendedKong Kee unsweetened Soyadrink: Recently, I wrote about how American soy milk is far too sweet. On a recent trip to Hmart, I purchased Soyadrink, the one soy milk you will find at any Asian grocery store. Soyadrink is the drink to get to understand the sharp contrast between an Asian and American palate. First, the drink is thinner in viscosity and actually has a soybean-like aftertaste (think plain tofu). This light flavor nonetheless lingers on your palate long after drinking. Additionally, no one bothers to fortify thes... (read more) 3.0/5.0
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Guarna Antartica soda: From Brazil, this soft drink is named after the seeds of the native plant Guarna. The flavor is a tart yet highly diluted fruit drink. Slightly less sugary than other carbonated alternatives. 2.5/5.0
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Chin Chin grass jelly drink: I'm a big fan of gelatin in drinks, from boba to grass jelly. For those who haven't had grass jelly before, it's not chewy like boba but soft (it's less firm than jello). Unfortunately, the drink overall is too sweet, though the grass jelly adds a slightly medicinal flavor that cuts through. Because the jelly settles to the bottom of the can, much goes to waste after the liquid runs out. A good companion, though, to spiced Asian food. 3.0/5.0
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Happy Lemon passion fruit green tea with lychee jelly: My love for this chain brought me to the deep abyss of the Downtown Crossing Corner Mall food court, a ragbag of fast food joints including the likes of Subway, Dunkin Donuts, and suspect Asian fare. As I navigated through the bleak aroma of fried teriyaki, the bright yellow Happy Lemon sign materialized like a beacon of hope. The counter had several dentist-sized cups filled with a Yakult-flavored drink with aloe; the sampling was overly sweet, but I attributed this mostly to the Yakult pro... (read more) 2.5/5.0
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