Not berry nice (Ribena 100% Pure Juices Blackcurrant Blend)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Ribena 100% Pure Juices Blackcurrant Blend
Date:	24/04/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good for you

Disadvantages: Doesn't shake my taste buds

This is not normally something I would buy, and indeed, this time I didn't. However, my mother-in-law bought a couple of cartons and so I thought I would give it a go. I am always impressed by the effort some companies make to produce healthier food and drink, and the carton for this had the famous and respected Ribena name as well as the promise (in big figures) of 100% pure juices.

The juice itself looks like Ribena, only a bit thicker, as you would expect juice to look in comparison with squash. It's the dark purple of Ribena and the smell does have strong berry elements, which I liked.

However, the taste left a little bit to be desired. There are grapes, pears, blackcurrants and acerola cherries in there, and if you concentrate, you can taste them all, but it leaves a bit of a dry taste in your mouth. The juice is made from concentrate, which is a little deceptive when you see the label so loudly announcing its 100% juice elements. This, however, does not mean that someone squeezes the individual fruit. It means that the juice is made from the concentrate of these fruits and berries, and as a result, it tastes a little too plain.

Perhaps I'm being a little harsh. After all, quite a lot of the tastier drinks that we are faced with these days are a product of preservatives and colourings and flavourings that are used in order to sweeten the drinks and make them appeal more to the taste buds. I should really be more appreciative of the fact that this is pure juices, which the ingredients list confirms, and it is important to say that my disappointment here is solely with the fact that my sweet tooth is, for once, ignored.

The result of this is that I probably wouldn't have this again. Sure, it's okay if you don't really have anything else, but if I was trawling the shopping aisles, I would choose something else. Yes, it is good for you in terms of providing juices and not aritificial elements, but you lose the sweet appeal of a squash or other more traditional juices.

Therefore, it's a mixed batch, and I can't give it more than 2 stars. It's not revolting, but I'm not a fan, and the goodness factor doesn't win it over for me.

Summary: Disappointing taste despite being 100% juice