Zevia: The Diet Beverage Alternative

For years, those who love soda (or pop as we call it here in Northern Ohio) but did not want the sugar and calories would drink diet beverages sweetened with chemically processed and potentially harmful artificial sweeteners (like aspartame and later Splenda). Consumers who didn't want the artificial sweeteners would either drink regular soda or bypass commercial beverages altogether. However, a few months ago my husband discovered a natural alternative to diet soft drinks, and it is slowly making its way into health-food stores and other grocery stores throughout the country. That drink is called Zevia.

About Zevia
We discovered Zevia online when my husband was searching for an alternative to diet soft drinks, preferably one sweetened with stevia. Zevia is the first all-natural alternative to diet soda that is sweetened with the herb stevia, which is many times sweeter than sugar. With Zevia, you have the choice of four flavors: cola, orange, root beer, and twist (lemon-lime).

The Taste of Zevia
No review of a food or drink is complete without a taste test, and this one is no exception. Keep in mind that all diet sodas tend to have an aftertaste (from the sweetener), and Zevia does as well, especially since stevia, the supplement used to sweeten it, tends to have a strong taste. Personally, I found the aftertaste to be mild. After a few sips, it is no longer noticeable. All four flavors are sweet, but their flavors are not overpowering. Whether you prefer the cola or the root beer (or the orange or the lemon-lime twist) will depend on personal preference.

Price and Accessibility
Since Zevia is relatively new, the distribution (at least around here) is somewhat limited. So far, we have only found it in one local health-food store. It can be ordered online directly from the company as well as a few third party vendors (like Amazon.com). Zevia's biggest disadvantage is the price. It starts at around $1.19 per twelve ounce can, and if you need to order it online and add on shipping costs, you can pay close to $2.00 per can for small orders. While those who generally buy organic products don't seem to mind paying a bit more, the price may put it out of reach of the average consumer.

Over all, Zevia is a great product. It has the potential to reach beverage drinkers who are becoming more health conscious, but the price needs to come down, which may happen as distribution increases.