With over 40,000 products in the average supermarket, people don't have time (or the money) to test every product on the shelves – so we do it for you! (Points system explained below the products!)

Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!

Hot Squeeze: Sweet Heat Chipotle Sauce

Taste	Value	Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Total
30	16	14	15	na 10	5	5	94

This product is a HIT!

Here’s a short, sweet and hot review. We’re prejudiced against any product that lists sugar as its first ingredient; however, in this case we are willing to make an exception. The flavor, mouth-feel, consistency and appearance of this product are exceptional!

Retails for $4.99 - $5.99 / 11 oz.

Hot Squeeze
Atlanta, GA
404 377 2987
thehotsqueeze.com

Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds: Dark Chocolate Flavor

Taste	Value	Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Total
27	18	12	14	na 10	5	4	91

This product is a HIT!

Here’s a surprisingly good new product with a schizophrenic ingredient profile: the cocoa almond aroma is very appealing and the cocoa flavor does not overpower the almonds at all. We think it’s great for people to snack on nutritious nuts instead of unhealthy alternatives, BUT we wish they would have used sugar or stevia as a sweetener instead of the chemical sweeteners on this ingredient list. That said, these nuts are a great alternative for people who are addicted to M&M’s or any chocolate bar with nuts. They’re just as satisfying and are better for you. Retails for $6.69 / 11 oz.

Diamond foods, Inc
Stockton, CA
209 467 6000
emeraldnuts.com

Zenergie Fizzing Beverage Tablets: Hydrate Lemon and Lime Flavor

Taste	Value	Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Total
29	16	11	11	10	5	5	87

This product is a HIT!

One of the aspects of hydration that companies like Propel are well aware of is the fact that for many people drinking plain water is just plain boring. Studies have shown that adding a little flavor increases consumption significantly. This product from Zenergie is addressing this trend and combining it with a selection of supplements tailored to modern life. For example, “Thrive”: women’s multi-vitamin boost, “Empower”: men’s multi-vitamin boost, “Chill”: natural relaxation blend, and the flavor we tasted, “Hydrate”: natural electrolyte replenishment. Each different flavor contains a specific blend of herbs and vitamins and minerals. We love that they used stevia to sweeten this product and that there is 600 mg of vitamin C in this flavor. However, we do wish the flavor was a little better, the tablets dissolved more easily and lastly – we’d like more fizz. Available in other flavors.

Retails for $6.99 / 10 tablet tube.

Bevology
San Francisco, CA
604 221 9679
ZenergieHealth.com

Vic Cherikoff Down Under: Barrier Reef Lemon, Lime & Chili Sauce

Taste	Value	Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Total
20	15	13	13	na 10	5	4	80

The label of this new product proclaims it to be “aromatic, citrus and spicy”. Well, there’s little doubt that there is a strong aroma to this product, we’re just not sure how pleasant it is. When water is the first ingredient in a product and sugar is the second we become wary. The ingredients list “Australian lime juice” and “herbs and spices”. If they are going to make a point of sourcing these particular ingredients why not go the whole way and source the sugar, chili, tomato and lime paste as well? Finally, it would be nice to see a perforated tab opening on the plastic wrap on the bottle. Available in other flavors.

Retails for $6.99 / 10 oz.

Essentially Oz Marketing (USA) Pty, Ltd
Manhattan Beach, CA
61 2 9554 9477
www.cherikoff.net

Nui Kid Water: Raging Red Flavor

Taste	Value	Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Total
10	16	10	10	10	3	5	64

This product is a MISS!

This new kid’s beverage claims to be “A Big Wave of Nutrition”. With antioxidants, vitamins, electrolytes and fiber, it sounds great, but we have to say that no parent should be fooled by the claim that it contains “1/2 the sugar of apple juice” (and with ingredients like potassium hydroxide, we will run to the apple juice shelf) as the product is only 40% juice it should really have 40% of the sugar content of apple juice, not 50%. There is an unappealing sediment in the bottle and even though we love that it is sweetened with fruit juice and doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup, and that 50% of profits go to children’s charities, we’re afraid no kid is going to drink this more than once. Also available in Purple Power and Outrageous Orange flavors.

Retails for $1.39 / 10 fl oz.

NUI, LLC
Santa Monica
CA
866 504 6684
NUIWATER.com

Points System:

Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:

1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food

2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?

3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?

4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?

5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*

6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?

7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?

*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.