Best Non-alcoholic Beverage Types in the World
Aguas Frescas are light non-alcoholic beverages made with a combination of fruits, cucumbers, flowers, seeds, and cereals blended with sugar and water. The name translates to fresh water, and it is often sold at bodegas and eateries throughout Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, but it can also be found in Mexican cafés and taquerias throughout USA.
Aguas Frescas come in a variety of flavors such as guava, mango, orange, cucumber, lemon, and tamarind, among others. The beverage is most commonly consumed in the summer months, served cold with pieces of fruit and ice.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Lulada is a cold, refreshing drink originating from El Valle region of Colombia, made with mashed lulos, lime juice, water, sugar, and ice. Lulo, also known as naranjilla in Ecuador and Panama, is an exotic fruit popular in Colombia.
It has a light, citrusy flavor and it’s very common in Colombian cuisine. Lulada is the perfect combination of sweet and tart, has a thick consistency and can be served with a shot of vodka.
A unique, pre-sweetened type of espresso that originated in Cuba known as café Cubano is often referred to as Cuban espresso, Cuban coffee, Cuban pull, or Cuban shot. Although it holds a unique status in Cuba, where it traditionally stands as the essential social and cultural beverage, Cuban espresso is also very popular and widely available throughout Latin America and Florida.
It consists of an espresso shot that is sweetened with demerara sugar while being brewed. This espresso variety is made by brewing the darker roasts with sugar, which results in light-brown foam on top of the coffee. Cuban-style espresso is considered a mid-afternoon standard that is typically served alongside a glass of water.
Mango lassi is one of the most popular lassi varieties, consisting of yogurt (dahi) and fresh mango. It commonly includes cardamom, water, and sugar. The ingredients are combined until the drink is creamy and frothy. Mango lassi should always be served well-chilled.
Among numerous types of lassis, this sweet mango version is the most common variety on the menus of Indian restaurants outside the country.
THE BEST Mango lassi Dairy Beverages
Cholado is an icy cross between a fruit salad, a cocktail, and a frozen dessert. Also known as raspao, the beverage is prepared with fresh fruit such as strawberries, bananas, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, and maracuya, along with milk and a sweet syrup made with Colombian blackberries.
Cholado has a perfect balance of aromas and textures, and it is considered both a dessert and a drink because it is crunchy, fruity, and creamy at the same time. It is typically served cold in a tall glass with a lot of crushed ice, then topped with shredded coconut and garnished with a cherry.
Colada morada is a thick, purple-colored drink originating from Ecuador. Its origin dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The drink is made from water, black corn flour, spices (cinnamon, allspice, and cloves), various fruits (pineapple, blackberries, strawberries), and cane sugar (panela).
It’s traditionally consumed on Day of the Dead, paired with guaguas de pan — decorated sweetbreads shaped into doll-like figures. On November 2nd, families will gather around the graves of their loved ones and enjoy a picnic of colada morada and guaguas de pan, remembering their loved ones.
Hōjicha is a Japanese roasted green tea. It is made with bancha or sencha green tea that is roasted over high heat. During roasting, the tea attains a distinctive reddish-brown color. Brewed hōjicha will result in a light brown tea with a slightly warmer character than traditional green tea.
Instead of typical green and vegetal aroma, hōjicha usually has roast-like notes reminiscent of coffee, cocoa, and caramel. The flavor is earthy and subtly sweet, with roasted notes that are typically not overpowering. Hōjicha has less caffeine and tannins than other green teas.
THE BEST Hōjicha Teas
An authentic Thai iced tea is a combination of strong black tea, condensed or evaporated milk, sugar, and spices that is served over crushed ice. Traditionally, the drink is made with loose-leaf black tea such as Assam, Ceylon, or Keemun tea varieties, while the additions usually include crushed tamarind, anise, or cardamom.
However, both street and restaurant versions nowadays often incorporate with pre-packed tea mix that contains food coloring, which gives the tea a distinctive and unnatural orange tint, while the traditional version should have a deep amber hue. The tea is usually chilled before it is combined with ice.
Indian filter coffee is a preparation technique in which coffee is brewed with the use of an Indian coffee filter. This filter consists of two chambers—the upper one with a perforated bottom used to hold ground coffee and the bottom one in which brewed coffee is slowly dripped.
This brewing technique results in a richly-flavored, full-bodied coffee that is usually mixed with milk and sweetened with sugar. It is traditionally served in a tumbler with an accompanying saucer (davara). Sometimes, the combination of coffee and warm milk is continuously poured from one vessel to another until it is aerated and becomes frothy.
THE BEST Indian filter coffee Coffees
Longjing tea, literally translated to dragon well, is one of the best and most popular Chinese teas. It is a type of pan-roasted green tea. After roasting, the leaves should be emerald-colored, broad, flat, smooth, and brittle.
When brewed, this tea will produce a green-gold brew with a refreshing flavor and mellow vegetal aromas that often include buttery, toasty, nutty, and chestnut-like nuances. High-quality Longjing is usually harvested in spring, while summer harvest mostly produces low-quality versions.
Because of its high-quality and limited availability, the first pickings of authentic Longjing can reach astronomical prices and sell for up to $875 per kilo.
Best Non-alcoholic Beverage Producers in the World
Yame Tea Kumaen is a Japanese company located in the Yame region of Fukuoka Prefecture, known for producing high-quality green tea. The company specializes in varieties such as Gyokuro, Sencha, Matcha, and Bancha, using traditional cultivation and processing methods that date back centuries.
Yame, as a region, offers ideal conditions for tea production due to its unique climatic environment. Kumaen prides itself on maintaining high standards of quality and a careful approach at every stage of production, from leaf picking to packaging.
The teas they produce are recognized for their rich flavors and delicate aromas.
BEST Yame Tea Kumaen Teas and Herbal Infusions
Marukyu Koyamaen is a prestigious tea company based in Uji, Kyoto, Japan, specializing in premium green teas, particularly Gyokuro and Matcha. Founded in 1917, it has a long history of producing high-quality teas using traditional Japanese methods.
The company prides itself on its commitment to preserving the rich heritage of Japanese tea culture while delivering exceptional products that embody the essence of Japanese craftsmanship. Marukyu Koyamaen also offers a variety of tea-related products and services, including factory tours and special offerings for food-grade matcha.
Their teas are highly regarded for their rich flavor, aroma, and smoothness, making them a favorite among tea enthusiasts worldwide.
BEST Marukyu Koyamaen Teas and Herbal Infusions
36 Manor is a premium tea brand located in Laos, specifically known for its Paksong teas grown on the Bolaven Plateau, a region famous for its volcanic soils and high-altitude climate. The company, under the Rongxing Group, has developed a unique approach to tea production, offering a variety of high-quality teas such as black tea, green tea, and white tea, often highlighted by their "Paksong" series.
These teas are enriched by the pristine environment of the plateau, where aged tea trees and traditional craftsmanship are key to creating distinctive, aromatic blends.
BEST Three Six Manor Teas and Herbal Infusions
Wild Orchard is a premium tea company specializing in organic and regeneratively farmed teas, grown on Jeju Island, South Korea. They offer a range of high-quality teas, including green tea, oolong, and matcha, which are all cultivated without the use of sprays, fertilizers, or irrigation.
The farm's unique growing conditions, including volcanic soil, ocean mist, and subtropical rain, contribute to the rich flavor and phytonutrient content of the teas. Wild Orchard focuses on sustainable, organic farming practices to produce exquisite, clean, and delicious teas that cater to health-conscious consumers.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
Great Taste Awards - 1 Star
2022
BEST Wild Orchard Tea Company Teas and Herbal Infusions
Teaholics is a Japanese company specializing in the sale and distribution of high-quality teas from around the world. Founded with the goal of providing an exceptional tea experience, Teaholics offers a diverse range of teas, including popular varieties such as black, green, white, oolong, and yellow tea, as well as herbal infusions and specialty blends.
One of Teaholics' key features is its commitment to quality. The company strives to ensure that each tea it sells is carefully selected and tested to meet high standards. Quality is further ensured through collaboration with renowned producers and tea farms that use traditional processing methods and take great care in cultivating the tea plants.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2022, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021
BEST Teaholics Teas and Herbal Infusions
Arahataen Tea Farm is a traditional Japanese tea farm located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1874, the company is one of the most renowned producers of Japanese green tea. Arahataen takes pride in producing high-quality teas, using a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The company is also dedicated to sustainable and eco-friendly production methods. Arahataen is famous for using the Chagusaba technique, a traditional method of tea cultivation that involves planting grass along the tea fields to create a natural ecosystem.
BEST Arahataen Tea Farm Teas and Herbal Infusions
Finca El Injerto is one of the most esteemed coffee plantations in Guatemala, renowned for its exceptional quality and commitment to sustainable production. Nestled in the mountainous region of Huehuetenango, this family-owned farm boasts a legacy spanning more than a century.
Founded in 1874, the farm initially cultivated sugarcane and other agricultural crops, but in the early 20th century, it fully dedicated itself to coffee production. The name El Injerto originates from a native fruit found in this region, symbolizing the farm’s deep connection to nature and the uniqueness of its terroir.
Zealong Tea Estate is located in Waikato, New Zealand, and is the country's only commercial tea estate, producing 100% organic, award-winning tea. It offers a unique combination of tea production, hospitality, art, and sustainability. The estate provides visitors with scenic views, a variety of event venues, and guided tours to experience tea cultivation firsthand.
Zealong is renowned for its commitment to quality and organic practices, and it offers premium teas such as green, oolong, and black tea. In addition to tea, it features a Camellia Restaurant and Tea Room for guests, making it a top destination for tea lovers and tourists.
BEST Zealong Tea Estate Teas and Herbal Infusions
Tea Shirt Teas is a British company focused on providing high-quality, eco-friendly, and ethically produced teas. Their range includes a wide variety of organic and plastic-free loose-leaf teas, including black, green, oolong, herbal, and Ayurvedic teas.
The company stands out for its commitment to sustainability, using recyclable and compostable packaging to reduce its environmental footprint. Tea Shirt Teas is particularly proud of its innovative blends, such as "Chocolate Cloud" and "Apple & Grapefruit." All teas are carefully selected and ethically sourced, supporting fair trade and sustainable practices within the tea industry.
BEST Tea Shirt Teas and Herbal Infusions
Makaibari Tea is a renowned tea producer located in the West Bengal, India, celebrated for its high-quality, organic teas. Established in 1859, Makaibari is the world's first tea factory and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.
The company produces a variety of exquisite teas, including black, white, green, and oolong teas, all crafted using traditional methods. Makaibari's unique approach to tea cultivation integrates organic farming with biodynamic practices, ensuring the preservation of the environment while delivering superior flavor profiles.
BEST Makaibari Tea Estate Teas and Herbal Infusions
Best Non-alcoholic Beverages in the World
Gyokuro Saemidori from Yame Tea Kumaen is a high-quality green tea known for its rich, sweet flavor and distinct umami profile. This tea is grown in the Yame region, which is famous for producing premium teas in Japan. Gyokuro tea is unique in that its leaves are shaded for several weeks before harvesting, reducing the amount of sunlight they receive and increasing the amino acid content, making it sweet and less bitter.
Saemidori is a variety of tea known for its rich green color and high quality, providing a full, creamy taste with a mild yet pronounced umami character. In addition to its exceptional flavor, this tea is packed with antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients that contribute to health.
Oriental Beauty Tea 1, produced by Formocha, is renowned for its unique flavor profile and high-quality leaves. This tea originates from Taiwan and is celebrated for its natural sweetness, which comes from the bites of leafhoppers that enhance the tea's oxidation process.
The tea leaves are multi-colored, reflecting a careful and precise harvesting technique. Each sip of Oriental Beauty Tea 1 offers a rich, fruity aroma with notes of honey and a smooth, lingering finish.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021
Smaller Green Leafhopper Honey Flavour Black Tea (Flower) is a specialty product made by Junjie Lin Tea Garden. This tea is crafted from leaves affected by the green leafhopper, an insect that enhances the natural sweetness and imparts a honey-like flavor to the tea.
The tea is processed as a black tea and includes floral notes, creating a complex and aromatic profile that is prized among tea enthusiasts. The unique interaction between the leafhoppers and the tea plants is a significant factor in developing this tea's distinctive taste.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
The product Sweetbird Rose Syrup is manufactured by Beyond the Bean Ltd. This syrup is designed to add a delicate, floral flavor to a variety of beverages, including teas, cocktails, and lattes. It is a versatile syrup that can be used in both hot and cold drinks.
Sweetbird Rose Syrup is known for its subtle and aromatic rose taste, which is derived from natural ingredients. The product is vegan-friendly and free from artificial colors and flavorings.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
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