Review: Zevia
Mar 14th, 2010 by Karen
BevReview.com welcomes our Health & Wellness Reviewer, Karen Tanner Byrd. As a certified personal trainer, she advises her clients on fitness and healthy eating.
From a health perspective, diet soda is often scorned for reduced-calorie taste and added artificial sweeteners. But whether the craving is for something sweet or a beverage to drink with your favorite thin crust pizza, many of us have that occasional yearning for a carbonated beverage (even "healthy" people). It is no wonder that the diet soda industry is rapidly growing. The quest is long and hard to find a sweet beverage that won't kill you in the long run from diabetes (sugar) or cancer (artificial sweeteners).
A client recently introduced me to a product called Zevia, one of the first natural zero calorie sodas, predating recent releases from both Coke & Pepsi. All diet sodas have some form of sweetener in them to offset the lack of white sugar. Zevia contains a sweetener called stevia. There has been some controversy about stevia, but overall, it is my opinion that it is a better option than sucralose (Splenda), aspartame (NutraSweet), acesulfame potassium or Ace-K (Sunette), and cyclamate (Sweet'N Low in Canada) because it is a product found in nature with no major chemical alternations.
When a product claims that it is natural it means that they do not include ingredients such as refined sugars, refined flours, milled grains, hydrogenated oils, sweeteners, food colors, or flavorings. In other words, no artificial substance has been added. Stevia is an herb in the sunflower family, native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America. For centuries, the Guarani Native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil used stevia as a sweetener in native foods and medicinal teas. The extract from the stevia leaf has no calories, no effect on blood sugar levels, and is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. Some stevia extracts may have a bitter aftertaste at high concentrations. According to their website, Zevia is formulated with erythritol, a natural sugar alcohol which counteracts this effect.
So, from a health perspective, this product is better for you than diet sodas with artificial sweeteners. But, let me be clear from nutrition standpoint, it is not good to drink this type of product in excess. All things in moderation. There is not much harm in drinking this product, but there is also not much nutrition benefit either. In other words, don't go drinking a 6-pack every day. Your body needs water and lots of it. No beverage will ever be able to supplement the pure need for water. Reserve drinking Zevia for those times when you want something special and "just gotta have something sweet."
As far as flavors are concerned, Zevia now makes seven different flavors. They originally only had four, but have recently expanded their product line. In order of my favorite flavors, here's a look at how they taste and what's inside…
Dr. Zevia
Dr. Zevia is the newest addition to the product line. By the name you can see that it is meant to be similar in flavoring to Diet Dr Pepper. Personally I am a big fan of the Dr Pepper flavor, so it is no wonder why this one reached the top of my list. As far as matching flavors to the Dr Pepper line, Dr. Zevia matches closely in flavor with Diet Dr Pepper Cherry. It has stronger cherry flavor than regular Dr. Pepper. Overall, I would definitely buy this flavor again.
Dr. Zevia Ingredients:
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, Carmel Color, Tartaric Acid, Stevia (Leaf), Fumaric Acid, 33 mg Caffeine (from coffee), Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Citrus Oils, Nutmeg Oil, Clove Leaf Oil, Botanical Oil, Cassia Oil, and Cherry Essence. (All oils listed in ingredients are essential oils)0 calories, 20 mg sodium, 15 g total carbs (15 g Erythritol)
Zevia Black Cherry
Black Cherry tastes just as it says, like a black cherry soda. The cherry flavor is strong. So if you don't like cherry very much, opt for Dr. Zevia or a different flavor entirely. The "diet" flavor is hidden well with the Zevia Black Cherry.
Zevia Black Cherry Ingredients:
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, Citric Acid, Stevia (Leaf), Natural Flavors, Cherry Essence, Clove Leaf Oil, and Cassia Oil. (All oils listed in ingredients are essential oils). No caffeine.0 calories, 20 mg sodium, 13 g total carbs (13 g Erythritol)
Zevia Orange
I am not usually a big Orange soda fan, but if you are, you will like the Zevia Orange. Tastes very similar to a calorie-free version of Crush, or similar, but without all the artificial junk.
Zevia Orange Ingredients::
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors (Orange Oil), Stevia (Leaf), and Annatto. No caffeine.0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 11 g total carbs (11 g Erythritol)
Zevia Cola
The flavor of Zevia Cola was OK and I would drink it again… but only if I was out of Dr. Zevia! It is nothing to write home about, but I still like that it has a cola flavor and all natural. This has the most caffeine of the entire Zevia product line.
Zevia Cola Ingredients:
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, Carmel Color, Tartaric Acid, Stevia (Leaf), Fumaric Acid, 45 mg Caffeine (from coffee), Natural Flavors, Citrus Oils, Cola Nut Extract, and Citric Acid.0 calories, 5 mg sodium, 12 g total carbs (12 g Erythritol)
Zevia Ginger Root Beer
This is no A&W, but if you love root beer and want a healthier substitute give this a try. I would describe it as having more of a root beer bite rather than a smooth flavor. The sharp bite comes from the anise seed oil extract. If you like the flavor of anise, you will like this.
Zevia Ginger Root Beer Ingredients:
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, GMO Free Carmel Color, Stevia (Leaf), Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Citrus Peel Oil, Wintergreen Oil, Cassia Oil, Anise Seed Oil Extract, and Ginger Root Extract.0 calories, 15 mg sodium, 10 g total carbs (10 g Erythritol)
Zevia Ginger Ale
I love ginger ale so it is hard for me to judge fairly. Zevia's version tastes like a sharp ginger ale, lacking a smooth flavor that I typically enjoy. Not terrible, not great.
Zevia Ginger Ale Ingredients:
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, Citric Acid, Carmel Color, Stevia (Leaf) and Natural Flavors (Citrus Peel Extracts, Ginger Root Extract).0 calories, 20 mg sodium, 13 g total carbs (13 g Erythritol)
Zevia Lemon Lime Twist
To be fair, I have never enjoyed any form of diet lemon lime soda. So, I bet you can guess my opinion of this one. But once again, if you like lemon lime drinks, give it a try!
Zevia Lemon Lime Twist Ingredients:
Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Erythritol, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors (Lemon Oil and Lim Oil), and Stevia (Leaf).0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 11 g total carbs (11 g Erythritol)
Overall, if you are health conscious and searching for a beverage that gives you the flavor of a carbonated soda without compromising your nutrition, give Zevia a try. I would love to know what you think about it. Dr. Zevia is my personal favorite from this lineup of 7 flavors!
I've been drinking Zevia for at least a year now, and really love it. I've had everything but the Dr. Zevia, simply because my local Whole Foods doesn't have it yet, and when I tried ordering it from my food co-op they were sold out.
I really like the Black Cherry, Orange and Rootbeer flavors myself. My husband, who is very, very picky, will drink the Cola, whereas other than that he prefers Coke or Pepsi (both diet). My kids like the same flavors I do. I haven't had one yet I haven't liked!
I can't wait to see what Zevia comes up with next! I'd love to see Cream Soda and Birch Beer!
I too have been drinking Zevia for about a year. I've tried all flavors except Dr. Zevia. My favorite is the orange because it tastes the least like a diet soda. I sometimes make my own hybrid drink by mixing about 80% Zevia orange with 20% regular cane sugar Hansens mandarine lime soda (or any other sugar orange soda). That little bit of sugar really smooths out the stevia taste and gives me a fantastic, light tasting, reduced calorie beverage.
My only issue with Zevia is the cost. I contacted them to ask for a 2 liter bottle at a better price, and they said no. Their reason was that people are less likely to recycle a plastic bottle than an aluminum can. That idea seemed odd to me since I recycle everything.
I live in tennessee where can I find this drink..
Store locator: http://www.zevia.com/stores/locator/
I think Zevia is great, but way overpriced. One can cost $1 or more, and if you drink soda everyday it gets expensive.
I think I'm going to just buy Lifewater in bulk from Costco to get my stevia fix at a much better value.
I just saw this stuff in the checkout line at the Better Health store. I almost picked it up but it was $4 for a six pack on sale! That is pretty expensive for 12 oz cans. Maybe next time after reading this review.
totally agree with the ratings other than Id switch #1&2, and I would call the lemon-lime drink what it is, and that is crap! I like lemon lime drinks, but that was far more than disappointing. I like Dr Zevia, and most the others, but they seem to fall flat on flavor (some more than others) but Black Cherry sits well on its own and has a pretty robust flavor the whole time.
I'm glad to hear that the lemon lime is exceptionally bad. Since it's normally my favorite soda flavor I started with that. Just bought my first 6 pack tonight, and it's so horrible I feel like the Zevia company is trying to cause me severe pain. Each sip is a fresh hell. I was bummed.
But from the reviews, it sounds like I may have better luck with a different flavor, so I'll probably give it one more try. There are almost no options for calorie free sodas that aren't artificially sweetened.
I live in zip code 27577 North Carolina. Where can I find Zevia drinks?
Its more expensive but when you look at how the other sweetners
came to be used when origianlly the 92 side effects were considered to much to legalize,, its worth the price
I buy the Ginger Root Beer here in Michigan at Kroger. I love it!
A new year and this review is still one of our favorites! Thanks for sharing the Zevia fun. Right now we're offering a dollar off a 6-pack for fans on our Facebook page. Check it out and look out for our new flavors soon!
Everyone, this product should not cost over a dollar a can! It is super cheap to make (just water & flavorings!) and this company is super greedy to charge so much. I can't wait until Coca-Cola and Pepsico come out with their own affordable mass produced diet beverages made with Stevie & Erythritol, which will blow away this greedy company, and they are very close to doing so now. The Zevia company is making a huge mistake in charging so much, because if they were smart they would charge what regular diet soda costs (which would still give them huge profits and more sales -duh) so as to build a huge following, so when Coke & Pepsi come out with their naturally sweetened diet products, they would have their loyal customers to keep them in business. What a greedy company, but that's ok..none of my friends and I are stupid enough to pay over a dollar a can for soda, and are waiting for a fairly priced naturally sweetened soda for Coke & Pepsi.
Hi PJ,
Part of what makes Zevia great is our stand on quality ingredients. A lot of soda companies out there settle for cheap ingredients like mass-produced phosphoric acid in their beverages, despite the fact it can lead to calcium depletion from bones and teeth. We're willing to stick to slightly pricier natural acids, like tartaric and fumaric acid (found in grapes and mushrooms, respectively), if it means keeping our promise to staying natural, even if we do have to sacrifice a few sales along the way. For us, this is where the true value is.
Team Zevia
I've been drinking Zevia for a couple of months now. I agree with the black cherry flavor, right up at the top. I recently tried the root beer which i thought was delicious and can't wait to try dr. zevia. I've not tried the other flavors, but now doubt will be trying them soon as my local supplier cannot keep my favorites in stock here in Hawaii. They are expensive $1.48/can recently raised from $.99 (which I think speaks to rising fuel prices and/or the grocery store greediness) I'm not a soda drinker in general. I gave them up a couple of decades ago because they are just so harmful from a health standpoint. I now drink 1-2 cans/week Zevia and try to keep it at that. I appreciate having a delicious, natural soda option. Keep up the good work guys! PS: Blue Sky company also makes a stevia beverage that's worth trying. They have similar flavors. Give 'em a whirl!
I LOVE this soda! I think it is close in taste to diet coke(which I was previously addicted). I am excited to see what other companies try their hands at healthy soda!
You got to be kidding me. The Black Cherry Zevia taste horrible! This stuff taste like cough medicine mixed with seltzer water. Its so bad I'm taking it back to get a refund.
I love Zevia, been drinking it for a number of years now, I think I may have been the first to find it here in WA State!! The price is higher but if you watch for it to be on sale and use coupons the price isn't too bad. I don't drink a lot of it as I am a water drinker but sometimes you just need something else and for me it's Dr Z, Black Cherry, Root Beer or Orange! I sometimes add a little Cream to root beer (root beer float) or to orange (reminds me of the Lizards Tsunami flavor) YUMMY!!! Thanks Zevia, I don't drink diet pops because of the junk they put into them, you are the BEST!!!
Oh and by the way, my Hubby is Diabetic and allergic to Aspertame so Zevia is perfect in our house!!! Does not raise his blood sugars and for a diabetic that is the most important thing!!! Again Thanks Zevia!!
[...] companies go "all in" with the natural sweetener. We've previously looked at the flavor lineup from Zevia, but today it's all about SANS Natural Diet [...]
I have only tried the Ginger Root Beer so far, and to be honest, the first time I took a drink, I did not like it to much. But because of the cost, I was determined to finish the 6 pack anyway. By the time I drank the second can…it taste just like Root Beer to me and now I love it. I guess it is a lot like other diet sodas when you start drinking them. You get used to them, then all regular soda tast like surgary syrup and wat to sweet. So if you do not like these sodas right away with the first drink…try two or three cans before you make your final decision to hate the taste.
[...] Zevia [...]
I really like this soda! I have tried and liked the ginger root beer, ginger ale, Dr. Zevia, black cherry, and the cola. However, the grapefruit soda was terrible. I thought it would taste like Fresca or Squirt, which I like, but it was just awful!