Coconut Water

This is the first non-tea I will be discussing. It is made by Vita Coco, and is pure coconut water, not to be confused with coconut milk. Coconut water (or juice) is what comes out of a coconut when you crack it open. Coconut milk and cream are both made by blending the meat of the coconut into a liquid consistency. Cream of coconut is usually used by bartenders in mixed drinks and is coconut milk or cream with sugar added to it. This particular company bottles coconut water and sells it in individual packages like juice boxes.

Flavor: It tastes somewhat like water, with a nutty, vegetably aftertaste. The friend who introduced me to it, and the packaging as well, state that it "tastes like you stuck a straw into a coconut." I would describe this as an acquired taste, so don't buy it and expect to like it right away.

Suggested Additions: I kept hearing in my head, "you put de lime in de coconut and shake it all up," so I finally caved and searched around for something with citrus in it. I found orange extract, and added that with a spoonful of white sugar and lots of ice cubes. However, I think if I did it over again, I'd forget the song and the citrus, and maybe also the sugar. Definitely add ice cubes, though. It is quite refreshing.

Ingredients: Natural coconut juice.

Purpose: When you don't want caffiene, and you want something that is not overly processed or added-to, when you want something somewhat exotic but refreshing, and probably when you are on a hot dusty street corner in India, you should drink this. Just don't expect to find ice cubes in India.