Big Tree Farms Coco Hydro Instant Coconut Water Mix, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Lemon Lime Flavor, Single Packets (Pack of 15)

I was unpleasantly surprised when my CocoHydro arrived to see that the ingredients listed on Amazon differ from the actual product. It should be updated online immediately so that customers get the full story and can make an informed decision about what they're buying/consuming.Ingredients: Evaporated coconut water, dextrose, Hydro Boost (potassium phosphate, calcium citrate, magnesium phosphate, manganese citrate, ascorbic acid), sea salt, natural flavors, ionic trace minerals, citric acid, silica, coconut flower blossom nectar.By now, a lot of you already know if this is something you want to drink or not after reading that. However, if you don't see what the problem is with the above list I will BRIEFLY mention a couple of red flags that can be seen here. You should look into this stuff more thoroughly on your own.- Natural flavors? Countless (unwanted) ingredients can be categorized under this term. Enough with the guessing game. Full disclosure, please. I cringe every time I see this listed.- Citric acid? One could argue that it's in just about everything we eat/drink....but that doesn't mean it should be. Not when you know how it's being manufactured these days to cut costs. Simply put: Citric acid is produced using a mold, Aspergillus niger. The mold is grown in the presence of a carbohydrate like corn or sugar beets to produce citric acid. Corn & sugar beets are two of THE MOST genetically modified crops (GMO) grown in the States and this isn't the only place they've likely snuck into this product. Citrates? Derived from Citric Acid (aka GMO corn or beets). Dextrose and Ascorbic Acid? Again, both are most likely derived from genetically modified corn.I have contacted the company and asked for them to verify their sources for these ingredients. I will update my review with their answers. I would like to be wrong and hear that everything is non-GMO and meticulously sourced/hand-picked (yadda yadda) but I am not holding my breath.How's it taste, you ask? I will say this: It's not something I enjoy sipping on leisurely. It may do after a run when you're cramping up. I've tried mixing it with a number of other beverages to make it more palatable. It's not really worth the bother now that I've discovered what else is in it. I just wanted evaporated coconut water - nothing added!

I had tried one other coconut water product on amazon and was not to impressed with it's lack of almost no coconut flavor. Coco Hydro on the other hand is probably as good as it gets for powdered coconut water. This one actually does taste like coconut water, it's a light taste though, but defiantly noticeable. This isn't as good as something like Vita Coco though, but about the same in taste as Zico coconut water I'd say. It's not bad at all. The nutritional content is very impressive and completely identical to that of Vita Coco and Zico.This product contains dextrose which is the same as glucose and is actually the only sugar that is good for the body and works in the blood to feed your cells, and be rest assured, this dextrose is not from corn, its made from tapioca. Mixability of this product is superb, add water, stir, and like a minute later its all mixed perfectly, I still like to let it sit for about 5 minutes though. The package recommends 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces but I found that the coconut flavor is just to light for me so I do a tablespoon and a half and thats perfect for me. All in all a great product, I would give it 5 stars if I didn't have to use more then a tablespoon per 8 ounces, It costs a little more doing it that way and I'm going for a cheap alternative. This is still cheaper then regular coconut water though even though I use more. I personally think this should be priced at $8.99.

I saw the reviews on taste were pretty polar but decided to role the dice. With 2 heaping tablespoons, used an actual measuring spoon, in a 16.9 oz bottle and shook it up. Tasted much like the O.N.E. coco water but a bit less coco nutty essence but not by much. I also like that it is no more sugar than the O.N.E. as most coco nut water brands are higher. If people are more used to drinking the more sugary ones that may be part of the problem with taste. It looks cloudy but is not gritty at all, maybe those reviewers added too much. It stayed mixed as well and didn't settle after shaking.I will be getting this from now on the for the cost savings but will still get the real thing now and then as a treat. Nothing beats the real deal but this is very similar, especially if you not after something real sweet.Edit: When I bought mine the ingredients were just evaporated coconut water, dextrose, and sea salt but looking at the changed package on site they have added more things, which may in fact make it gritty. I may just pay a bit more for the real stuff to be sent instead. Not changing my score since I can only review what I've actually gotten but coconut flour will make it gritty though will also add more coconut flavor.

It is very convenient. I went to a 3rd world country and packed 30 bags for heat dehydration. They fit in my pockets and didn't take up much room or weight in my suitcase. Plus it's easier to bring a dry drink through tsa than a liquid coconut water. It's convenient on a trip.However the taste one has to get used to. It doesn't exactly 100% taste like regular coconut water. Also you have to really get rid of the lumps when mixing. I found filling up a 16oz plastic water bottle 2/3 full and pour in the powder and shake until the lumps dissolved works better than trying to mix in a glass with a spoon which is a challenge. If the taste was better I would have rated it a 5. But it is so convenient...thus the 4.