Reader Food Panel: Pomegranate drink reviews mixed

Reader food panel tasters have earned a reputation for being finicky when it comes to drinks.

POM Wonderful’s new Pomegranate Black Tea is the closest they’ve come to liking a new beverage in awhile. Tasters gave the tea three-and-a-half stars out of five for flavor.

“Nice and tart with a hint of sweetness,” said Skip Hubbard. “The drinks of today seem to go overboard on sweetness at the expense of flavor, but not this one.”

Marcia Oranen liked the fruity, sweet flavor. “I would drink this, (it’s) refreshing.”

The drinks are made with brewed black tea and a blend of pomegranate juice, for a double antioxidant punch.

But not everyone was enthusiastic about the unusual taste. “Please pass the sugar … maybe that would help. Not very tasty by itself,” Larry Inman said.

The Pomegranate Blackberry Black Tea was not well received by most tasters. It earned only two-and-a-half stars for flavor.

“Tea-flavored something … a little tangy, but not a very good taste. Not a very good smell either,” said Nancy Robinson.

Peggy Kazanis thought the blackberry tea was bit too tart. “The tartness takes away from this being thirst quenching. My mouth is still puckered.”

Everyone agreed the price tag for the teas is too high. The teas earned just one-and-a-half stars for value from the panel. The 13.5-ounce drinks sell in a keepsake clear glass for $2.99 each.

POM also makes Pomegranate Lychee Green Tea and Pomegranate Peach Passion White Tea.

POM Tea, Pomegranate Black Tea

Price: $2.99 for 13.5 ounces

Nutrition per serving: 70 calories, no fat, no protein, 17 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 15 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “ 1/2

Value: “ 1/2

Comments: “Not cloyingly sweet with a pleasant tea taste.” – Tina Johnson

“Nice and tart with a hint of sweetness.” – Skip Hubbard

“Please pass the sugar… maybe that would help. Not very tasty by itself.” – Larry Inman

POM Tea, Pomegranate Blackberry Black Tea

Price: $2.99 for 13.5 ounces

Nutrition per serving: 80 calories, no fat, no protein, 34 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 10 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ 1/2

Value: “ 1/2

Comments: “I’m not a huge fan of spiced tea, but this is not overpowering. A good summer tea.” – Tina Johnson

“I can’t identify the fruit. Definitely tea, but it has an odd flavor.” – Marcia Oranen

“Not a good flavor combination. If this is really what they were going for, I have to ask why?” – Skip Hubbard