Reader Food Panel: Enviga thirst-quenching; bubbles overwhelming

Coca-Cola claims that if you drink enough of its new sparkling green tea, it will help rev up your metabolism. But how does it taste?

Some Spokesman-Review reader food panel members said they thought Enviga was thirst quenching and tasty. Others said they wouldn’t spend their cash on it. Overall, both peach and berry flavors of Enviga scored three out of five stars for taste.

“Well! I was thirsty … and this would quench my thirst on a hot day,” said Marilyn Moore, of the peach Enviga.

Peggy Kazanis agreed, saying, “I like the refreshing carbonation of this juice. Seems like it would really quench your thirst.”

Several tasting panel members said they were overwhelmed by the carbonation.

“Billions of bubbles, so-so flavor – unidentifiable as peach,” said Andy Hoye.

After tasting the berry flavored Enviga he added, “(It) has excessive carbonation to distract your senses from the weak unidentifiable flavor, but (there is) zero green tea taste.”

“What would you drink this instead of? Bites my tongue – too fizzy, if that’s possible,” agreed Tina Johnson.

Nancy Robinson couldn’t identify either flavor in the drinks. “Yuck. Washed out flavor, some fizz and a sugar-free aftertaste. I don’t want this even if it’s free. Mango pineapple?”

Larry Inman wasn’t impressed with the flavor of Enviga and couldn’t get over the price. A six-pack of 12-ounce cans sells for $6.99.

“Tastes like fizzy apple juice. Pour some 7-Up in cider and you won’t have to pay the extra for this,” he said.

By the way, Coca-Cola claims that drinking three cans of Enviga each day has been shown to increase calorie burning in a healthy weight person who is age 18 to 35 years old by 60 to 100 calories. It calls the Nestea product “the calorie burner.”

The nonprofit watchdog group Center For Science In The Public Interest has sued Coke for what it says are bogus claims. “Enviga is just a highly caffeinated and over-priced diet soda,” CSPI experts said in a news release.

Enviga, Peach

Price: $6.99 for 6 (12-ounce) cans

Nutrition per 12-ounce serving: 5 calories, no fat, no protein, no carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 35 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “

Value: “ 1/2

Comments:

“Well! I was thirsty … and this would quench my thirst on a hot day.” – Marilyn Moore

“Too sweet. Tropical fruit taste – syrupy taste. Not good.” – Marcia Oranen

“If it’s not diet I’d be surprised. The fruity flavors are nice and tart and I like the carbonation.” – Skip Hubbard

“Lots of fizz! Tastes sugar-free, not much flavor. Definitely would not buy this. Mango pineapple?” – Nancy Robinson

Enviga, Berry

Price: $6.99 for 6 (12-ounce) cans

Nutrition per 12-ounce serving: 5 calories, no fat, no protein, no carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 35 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ “ “

Value: “ 1/2

Comments:

“Fizzy tea?” – Vicki Deschaine

“I cannot distinguish any fruit at all.” – Marcia Oranen

“Tastes like tea and indistinguishable fruit. Despite that, I’d drink it.” – Skip Hubbard

“Save your money.” – Tina Johnson