Taste Test: Consumer Product Reviews

Food in Canada’s consumer review panel samples select new products in the Canadian marketplace. This time we’re trying Trop50 Pomegranate Blueberry juice from Tropicana.

Trop50 Pomegranate Blueberry is a new vitamin-enhanced juice beverage made with 50-per-cent less sugar and calories than regular orange and pomegranate blueberry juices. Naturally sweetened with stevia, the beverage is an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamins C and E. Trop50 is also available in Orange No Pulp and Orange Some Pulp varieties. All flavours are available in 1.75-L, 100-per-cent recyclable plastic carafes.

Here’s what our taste-testing panel had to say about the new beverage:

Female, 25, sales
“I love this juice! I thought it would taste more like pomegranate juice but it tastes just like blueberries – my favourite!”

Female, 40-something, writer
“Pretty smooth and fresh tasting. I don’t drink juice very often, but when I do I choose the low-sugar, low-calorie variety, so this is perfect. I also like that there’s not a strong pomegranate flavour, despite having all the health benefits, since I’m not crazy about the taste of pomegranates.”

Male, 50, sales
“I like that this isn’t too tart or too sweet. I’m not sure if I would choose this just based on the health benefits, but on taste. Luckily it tastes great.”

Female, 34, sales
“I generally drink POM Wonderful, so I wasn’t convinced adding blueberry to the flavour mix would be beneficial. I’m not sure whether or not the health benefits are similar, but I’ll stick to my POM.”

Male, 22, service technician
“Sweet and delicious. Cool bottle too.”

Female, 30-something, teacher
“I was intrigued with this juice right off the bat. I know all about blueberries and pomegranates and how good they are for you, so I thought what a great combination. And I also loved the idea of having 50 per cent fewer calories and sugar. I usually avoid juice because of the added calories and sugar – two things I don’t really need. Trop50 smelled fruity and fresh and I really enjoyed the taste. It wasn’t too sweet either, just very flavourful. I’d buy this.”

Male, 20-something, student
“It looks good and smells good, but I didn’t like the taste. I don’t think I’d buy this. I didn’t hate it, but I found the taste a little bitter. I’m not much of a juice drinker either. If I do have juice, it’s usually OJ.”