Tartly Ginger pear shrub: Purchased from quality but pricy SF-grocer Bi-Rite, this bottle of ginger pear shrub is from California Brand Tartly. On their site, they describe the origin of the company: “One late summer day in California, two health-conscious foodies got together for lunch.” Sorry, but can there be a more generic template to describe every artisanal/small-batch/environmentally-conscious food company based in California?! Back to the soda-it’s sweeter than other shrubs but has a satisfying ginger and app... (read more) 3.0/5.0
drinks sodas tartly ginger pear shrub 3.0 birite
Saigon Bakery Che Ba Mau: I’ve always been curious about the array of brightly colored pre-made beverages / desserts at Saigon Bakery in the Tenderloin District of SF and decided to finally try one. This one was a pastel mint green color, but others were a muted violet. They are typically covered with saran wrap, even though there is a plastic lid on the cup. The drink itself has an aggressively sweet coconut flavor, and on the bottom is a mix of chewy and soft textures, including green gelatinous strips (similar ... (read more) 3.0/5.0
drinks vietnamese dessert saigonbakery che ba mau 3.0 sanfrancisco
Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps: I love cornbread, so I was especially excited to try this snack from Trader Joe’s. The chips are thickly cut and triangular, in a similar vein to Stacy’s pita chips. The flavor does bear a pretty strong resemblance to cornbread, but it leans more savory than sweet. I was missing the distinct gritty texture of cornmeal. I recommend Milton’s corn bread crackers if you want an altogether better cornbread snack. 3.0/5.0
traderjoes cornbread crisps 3.0
Coco Libre Coconut water: After having the very good Real Coco coconut water, I have a new baseline with which compare all other coconut waters. This one from Coco Libre has a stronger, slightly off-tasting flavor, which I definitely took as a sign of it being less fresh than the cleaner tasting Real Coco drink. On the more affordable side as far as coconut water goes, but I would gladly pay a bit more for better quality. 2.5/5.0
drinks coconutwater organic cocolibre coconut water 2.5
Gatorade Citrus Cooler: Tangy citrus alternative to the classic lemon, this one has an equal mix of lemon and orange flavors. I find it less cloyingly sweet than the strawberry watermelon. Still, I wouldn’t choose to drink this save for health concerns (in this case, refueling my body with electrolytes due to a stomach flu). Good news is I think I’m recovered! I still have some more beverages to review that I consumed during my illness, though. 2.5/5.0
drinks sportsdrinks beverages gatorade citrus cooler 2.5
Gatorade Strawberry Lemonade Sports Drink: Tastes like a liquified version of watermelon Jolly Ranchers. Very little strawberry flavor, but the taste of artificial watermelon is strong. Contains no fruit juice but has both natural and artificial flavors. Curious what the natural flavors are. Purchased for electrolytes. 2.5/5.0
drinks gatorade strawberry lemonade sports drink 2.5