Coconut water taste test
Since the coconut water craze started taking hold, the market has become awash in a sea of the electrolyte-rich drink.
With a "clean, natural sweetness" and "good coconut flavor," Whole Foods' 365 ($1.99 for 17.6 ounces) scored 80 points, enough to grab first place and a spot in the Hall of Fame.
While panelists found the "almost lavender" hue - caused by the oxidation of the natural polyphenolics - to be "weird," overall they enjoyed its "fruity" and "mild coconut" flavor.
Fourth place went to Taste Nirvana ($2.49 for 16.2 ounces at Rainbow Grocery), whose "clean, natural sweetness" and "very strong coconut flavor" was appealing.
Panelists were Marc Halperin, culinary director, Center for Culinary Development, San Francisco; Shelley Handler, food consultant, San Francisco; Emily Luchetti, chief pastry officer, Waterbar and Farallon, San Francisco; Rosemary Mark, recipe developer, Walnut Creek; Roland Passot, chef-owner of La Folie in San Francisco and three Left Banks, San Francisco.
