Coconut Water Comparisons

I like to think that I have good taste.

Or, at the very least, taste buds that have become acquired to real food flavors and disdain artificial ingredients.

I often get asked about the best coconut water and milk. The best way to drink coconut milk is to just make your own. It's quick, easy, and takes two ingredients.

Coconut water can get a little more tricky. With clever marketing and USDA loop-holes, just about anything can be labeled as "natural" which can be scary for the consumer in search of truly healthful foods. Take a look at this article, and others like it, and you'll never want to eat anything with natural flavorings again.

A second trick coconut water companies also use is to add sugar. Coconut water is by definition the water of green coconuts found inside once the fruit is cut open. It's only is slightly sweet, but because we crave sugar, companies often add this component just to entice our taste buds.

Here are my favorite coconut waters, thusfar, as well as the ones I would recommend not wasting your money on:

1. C2O Pure Coconut Water
$27.48 for 12 (17.5oz) cans
This is my favorite, hands down. The can is BPA-free, the coconut water is unsweetened, and the product is organic. The only ingredient is Coconut Water. I prefer the one with pulp (green can) but the one without pulp (blue can) is wonderful as well.

2. Harvest Bay Coconut Water
$13.24 for 12 (8.45oz) containers
I have found this brand in World Market and online only so far. It's organic, and made in sustainable packaging. No added sweeteners or flavorings.

3. Vita Coco
$23.63 for 12 (16.9oz) containers
A little easier to find than the C2O, Vita Coco is available in gas stations and super-marts across the country. Only buy the original plain flavor, it has natural fruit sugar and vitamin C added, which is less crap than the flavored ones.

4. O.N.E. Coconut Water
$27.37 for 12 (16.9oz) containers
It's 100% coconut water with no additives. Vita Coco has a better taste, in my opinion (because of the sugar added), but O.N.E. is not bad.

5. Zico Pure Coconut Water
$32.00 for 12 (11.2oz) containers
The label says 100% pure coconut water but when I drink Zico, I taste something strange. Like some kind of flavorings added, I am turned off from this product. I don't buy it.


I'll continue to add to this list as I try new brands. Leave a comment if you know of one that I forgot to mention!

Pineapple Agua Fresca {Honey Sweetened + Coconut Water}

During the hot summer months, my family loves to drink Agua Frescas.  These fresh waters are light + refreshing ... a perfect thirst quencher on a hot day.  Whip up a few batches and serve it at potlucks, barbecues, picnics or simply for your family to enjoy at the end of the day. 

I'm so excited to be sharing this mouth-watering recipe over at Scratch Mommy! 

This delicious Pineapple Agua Fresca is full of flavor + so refreshing, you're going to want to make it all the time!

Head over to SCRATCH MOMMY to get the full recipe for this Pineapple Agua Fresca! 

Photo Bomb by TINY LOVE ... she couldn't wait to get her hands on that pineapple. 

If you haven't visited Scratch Mommy yet, make sure to check out some of my favorite DIY posts ... DIY Sunscreen - Easy to Make (and why YOU need this recipe)!, Bye, Bye Bigs (especially mosquitoes) Effective DIY Bug Spray! + her No Fuss Breadsticks grain-free recipe.  She has an amazing Skincare Shop too!  She makes + sells awesome, organic, non-GMO body products like sunscreen, lip balm, deodorant, bug be gone spray, foundation, body butter, body lotion + more. 

This post is shared at Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Gluten-Free & DIY Tuesday @ Allergy Free Alaska, + Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop. 

Creamy Turmeric + Ginger Tea {Dairy-Free Option}

A while back one of my Facebook readers shared that her favorite warming drink in the morning is this Creamy Turmeric Tea {that she found on Mark's Daily Apple}.  I had been drinking lots of my Honey-Sweetened Hot Chocolate in the mornings with a bunch of cinnamon and ginger + adding butter {or ghee} and copious amounts of coconut oil to it.  Now, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my hot chocolate + it's extra delicious with cinnamon, ginger, butter and coconut oil ... but I figured I would check out the recipe my FB reader shared to change up my usual morning warming drink ... especially since everyone is talking about the health benefits of TURMERIC these days.

Since I wanted to make this drink extra nourishing, I changed it up a bit by adding pasture butter + coconut oil*.  I love pasture butter for it's omega 3 fatty acids + CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) ... who am I kidding, I love it because it tastes so good and makes me feel good!  But, I also love it because it's a nourishing fat and helps the body absorb minerals + it's a good source of vitamin D, E and K.  Coconut oil is wonderful for so many reasons too ... I love it because it's high in lauric acid {which is also found in amazing liquid gold a.k.a breastmilk} + it has immune-boosting properties, it's naturally anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal + helps fight of yeast.  And for all of my nursing mommy readers - coconut oil is SO good for you and your baby, it helps increase your lauric acid and can boost milk supply!  


And of course, I couldn't make this drink without cinnamon!  I LOVE cinnamon and it's warming properties, so I decided to add some.  Why not?  If you don't like cinnamon, just leave it out.  

CREAMY TURMERIC + GINGER TEA

This warming drink is full of nourishing, immune-boosting ingredients.  Enjoy a cup with someone you love. {Recipe adapted from Mark's Daily Apple}.

Equipment: Medium-Size Sauce Pan, Blender or Whisk

{Affiliate Links included help support this blog}

• 1 cup raw milk {See Resources}, coconut milk or almond milk
• 1 cup coconut water {I like this + this} or filtered water
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger {I buy mine here}
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric {I buy mine here}
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon {I buy mine here}
• 1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper {I buy mine here}
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon local raw honey or Manuka honey 
• 1-2 tablespoons pasture butter or ghee {optional, See Resources}
• 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil {optional}

1. Place all ingredients into a medium-size sauce pan.  Slowly warm over medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes {heat to your desired temperature}.  If you are using coconut milk, make sure you do not boil it, it tends to become thick and unpalatable when boiled.  If you're using raw milk, you'll want to heat over a lower heat so you do not destroy the beneficial properties.     

2. If you are adding butter or coconut oil: Place tea into blender and blend for about 10-12 seconds, until the fats are fully incorporated and emulsified.  [Note: Use CAUTION when using the blender, the tea/liquid is very hot and increases in volume when blending.  Make sure to hold the lid on tight while blending or the hot air and liquid can escape making the lid pop off the blender.]

3. Serve hot.  Enjoy immediately. 

Yield: Makes 2 servings

Where Do I Find Bulk Spices + Herbs? My favorite source for bulk spices and herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs. They have a wonderful selection of organic spices and herbs at great prices.  

OTHER WARMING DRINKS TO ENJOY:

• Sweet Butter Tea by Food Your Body Will Thank You For
• Golden Milk by Nourished Kitchen 
• Turmeric Milk by Fresh Bites Daily
• Cinnamon-Thyme Tea by Recipes to Nourish
• Hot Garlic-Ginger Lemonade by Recipes to Nourish
• Chai Tea {Caffeine Free + Immune Boosting} by Recipes to Nourish
• Mexican Hot Chocolate by Recipes to Nourish

*For more info on why Pasture Butter is nourishing and good for us, click here.

*For more info on why Coconut Oil is nourishing and good for us, click here.   

Disclaimer: ALL information you read on Recipes to Nourish is purely for informational and educational purposes only.  I love to share and share with love, but I am not a health care practitioner.  This information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.  If you have questions about food, diet, nutrition, natural remedies or holistic health, please do your own research and consult with your health care practitioner. 

Amazon and Mountain Rose Herbs links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

This post is shared at: Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet.

Honeydew & Lime Agua Fresca {Honey Sweetened + Coconut Water}

Agua Frescas are wonderful summertime drinks.  Big Love grew up having these traditional Mexican “fresh waters”, his favorites – Horchata and Honeydew.

I surprised him with my hydrating Agua Fresca version after he got home from a long day at work.  To help hydrate, I add coconut water instead of water – this is totally optional, but so delicious.  I also use raw honey instead of the traditional refined sugar.  

I hope you enjoy this refreshing drink as much as we do!

Honeydew & Lime Agua Fresca (Honey Sweetened)

Equipment: Cutting Board, Knife, Blender, Fine Mesh Strainer/Sieve

·      1 medium size honeydew melon, cubed/chunked 

·      2 cups cold coconut water* or filtered water

·      2 limes, juiced

·      ¼ cup raw honey (I use local raw creamed clover)

·      Ice from filtered water

1.    Wash the outside of the honeydew melon.  Cut in half and remove seeds.  My method for cutting honeydew: Cut into slices.  Cut chunks into the flesh and use knife to slice underneath right above the rind leaving you with chunks of melon.  You can cut this however you want, just remove the melon from the rind.

2.   Add honeydew chunks, coconut water, lime juice and honey to the blender.  Blend until pureed and no chunks remain. 

3.   Strain through a fine mesh strainer/sieve and discard solids. 

4.   Serve chilled over ice.

 

Yield:  About 4 servings

Storage:  Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

* My favorite coconut water brands are Taste Nirvana and C2O Pure Coconut Water. 

This post is part of The Homestead Barn Hop @ The Prairie Homestead, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday @ Simple Sugar & Gluten Free, Hearth and Soul Hop @ The 21st Century Housewife, Healthy 2day Wednesdays @ day2dayjoys Allergy Free Wednesdays @ The Tasty Alternative, Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Raw Foods Thursday @ Gluten Free Cat, Simple Lives Thursday @ My Humble Kitchen, and Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage.