betsy writes

Since moving to the Ithaca area, I have begun to encounter loads of unique food, beverage, and other items. I don’t know if it’s the area, or the fact that I’m paying more attention now that we live here, but I like to give some of these unique items a try. Here’s a small selection of things this area has graced me with the opportunity to sample:

Amy and Brian’s Coconut Juice with pulp:

To explain my feelings about this beverage, I’ve hired American Idol Judge Randy Jackson:

“Yo. Check it. Check it out, Dawg. Yo… yo, Dawg. Look, for me Dawg? In the beginning it was interesting, but you lost me after the intro. Yo, I wasn’t feelin’ it. The whole thing was kinda pitchy for me. Definitely not my favorite performance from you, CocoDawg.”

Think pure canned pumpkin, eaten straight with a spoon, but in liquid form. Plus chunks of slimy coconut “pulp.” The pluses? Natural hydrating beverage “high in potassium and other electrolytes,” which is what I was looking for at the time. I admit, I didn’t make it through half the can, though my flower bed was pleased with a sip of the tropics. A little expensive for plant food, however, even on sale. Not my bag, but I’m curious about other brands, though not ready to try again quite yet. Please shake well. Please. Please?

Speaking of not-my-bag, let’s move right on to High Country Ginger Kombucha:

Simon Cowell is not on board:

“Absolutely dreadful. I don’t think you’ll be here next week. It’s a shame you were chosen as a wild card, because you simply do not deserve to be here, performing a vocal like that. Was someone drowning a cat? Hate the song, hate the vocal, hate the look.”

Have you ever had kombucha? Honestly, I’ve known people who drink it regularly, and didn’t seem to have any problems with their tastebuds prior to drinking, but WOW. Seriously. I don’t know if it had somehow gone more sour than it was supposed to, or if it’s the brand, or the flavor, but this was like vinegar made while simply thinking fondly of ginger. There are many who swear by it’s health benefits, and many who question it’s safety, but as for flavor, I am not likely to pick this up again any time soon. Any kombucha converts out there that care to share their opinions? Please don’t shake. Just don’t do it.

Next up, O.N.E. Cashew Juice:

As would be explained by Paula Abdul:

“Sweetie, first I just want to say, you look great! Don’t let anybody tell you any different, and don’t listen to Simon. He’s a six-year-old. You are wonderful, and you definitely let us know what your style is. You are just a shining light of individuality, even if a little quirky, Honey, I love you. If you were a color, you’d be purple!”

It tastes like this:

Raisins. It tastes like raisins. Eau de raisin. Oh-I-heard-it-through-the-grapevine-and-I’m-just-about-to-lose-my-mind-raisin. Did anybody know that the cashew tree produces fruit in addition to nuts? It’s true. Not a terrible drink, but not something I’m going to pour into my Strawberry Shortcake glass on a regular basis. Shake a little.

We’ll end this edition of Hippie Find of the Week with Ginger Soother:

Kara DioGuardi has six words for you: “ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES OF THE NIGHT!”

Love this drink. Like the best ginger-lemon tea you’ve ever had, not too sweet, and not even actually tea. Is even soothing, as suggested. Would drink this every day, given the chance. Shake shake shake. Shake your boo-tay.

That’s it for this episode of Hippie Find of the Week. Tune in next time, because we’re just getting started, folks!

Shout out to the lovely Greenstar Co-op, where I found all of these interesting libations.