---
title: "I've Tasted Hundreds of Beverages, Just to One Day Bring You the Best One..."
description: "The author, Xiao Huang Gua, shares a personal quest to find the best-tasting drinks, having sampled over a hundred beverages from convenience stores and supermarkets. The article reviews a selection of affordable, regional, and international drinks, focusing on taste and value, with humorous commentary and ratings."
author: "小黄瓜"
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published: "2017-08-09"
language: "en"
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# I've Tasted Hundreds of Beverages, Just to One Day Bring You the Best One...

> The author, Xiao Huang Gua, shares a personal quest to find the best-tasting drinks, having sampled over a hundred beverages from convenience stores and supermarkets. The article reviews a selection of affordable, regional, and international drinks, focusing on taste and value, with humorous commentary and ratings.

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**By Xiao Huang Gua**
When I was a kid, my parents would always remind me, time and again:
**"Don't drink those damn beverages every day! What's so good about them? They do no good for your health."**
In response, I always adopted a two-faced strategy: agreeing in front of them, but doing the opposite behind their backs.
Everyone needs to drink water, so why not pick something that tastes good? It's not like it'll kill you.
How to describe beverages? Honestly, I can't, but no one can live without them, right?
Carbonation, additives—whatever, you're going to die from something anyway, so why not figure out which drinks have more style during the scorching summer?
Of course, if you're nostalgic and stick to one brand for life, or if you're too busy making millions a minute to try new things, then this is even better!
Because I specially commissioned a small team to run through countless convenience stores and supermarkets, taste over a hundred fancy drinks, and attempt to make a quality review.
This tasting does not include common drinks like cola, Sprite, iced tea, or Mizone, as those mass-market flavors have no character at all.
Of course, for the hundreds of thousands of big shots in the background, the sample size is still too small.
So, if you've ever had a great drink, please leave a comment to share with everyone.
This issue of Good Stuff has no basic rules or annoying ingredient analysis. We only talk about taste and price.

**01. Budget Picks**

> **The Best Beverage Advertiser: Coconut Palm Coconut Juice**
> Origin: My hometown, Hainan
> Type: Juice
> Price: ¥3-5
> Drinking posture: Must be consumed under a coconut tree; if you can't find one, just drink anywhere.

Legend has it that 90% of people are attracted to Coconut Palm because of its ads.
Things like jiggly big-breasted girls, sleepless housewives, and psoriasis-like posters crammed onto every bus stop and vehicle in Hainan...
Of course, that's marketing, which goes against our principle of only discussing taste, so we'll skip it.
Coconut Palm Coconut Juice is almost the best coconut juice you can buy domestically. Although it's sweeter and richer than fresh coconut water, it seems to suit Chinese tastes better.
Honestly, natural coconut water is too bland and gets boring after a few sips. Besides, after trying dozens of brands, Coconut Palm is the closest to the original flavor. (A true islander's honest opinion)
Also, this coconut juice is well-made, using all German machinery, with top-notch quality.

**Taste**: ★★★☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★★★☆

> **The Best Children's Drink: Qoo**
> Origin: USA
> Type: Juice
> Price: Around ¥4, but some unscrupulous sellers charge ¥5
> Drinking posture: Take a sip after a meal and make a "gurgle" sound.

Many people online think Qoo is gone, but that's not true.
This drink, once popular in kindergartens, is still quite common in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang market, but its user base is too narrow to compete with big sellers like Minute Maid Pulpy or Daily C.
Different flavors~
This product was first launched in Japan and hit the market in Hangzhou four years later. During that time, countless people worldwide bought it because of the little blue character. I remember one year it sold out in Hong Kong.
Qoo isn't a juice that focuses on natural ingredients; compared to freshly squeezed juices in milk tea shops, the taste is quite different, but overall, it's passable.
Not too sweet, not too sour, nicely packaged, and average quality.
It's just that kids today are exposed to too many cartoon characters, so it might be hard for the little guy to attract more fans.

**Taste**: ★★☆☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★☆☆☆

> **The Most Addictive Drink: Vita Lemon Tea**
> Origin: Hong Kong
> Type: Hong Kong-style fruit tea
> Price: ¥2.5
> Drinking posture: Play "If I Were a DJ" and sip while listening.

**"Vita Lemon Tea, better than smoking weed!"**
Want more details? No, folks, that phrase is the best summary!
Just pay attention to the difference between "Hong Kong-made" and "Mainland-made" when buying; the difference is small, but the original is stronger!

**Taste**: ★★★★★
**Value for Money**: ★★★★★

> **I'm Small but Fast: Yakult**
> Origin: Japan
> Type: Lactic acid bacteria drink
> Price: ¥2.5 per bottle!
> Drinking posture: One after another, endlessly.

Many people think Yakult is yogurt, but that's wrong. Drinks like Yakult, made with milk powder, are soft acid bacteria drinks.
So, does it help with digestion and health?
Yes, but very little.
Yakult officially states that each small bottle contains over 10 billion Shirota strains.
Even if you don't understand, the most notable feature is that it helps those who get diarrhea from milk to drink milk without diarrhea.
Other benefits like immunity or gut health are unlikely to have strong effects. At least, no documents confirm this.
But Xiao Huang Gua always thinks that talking about health while drinking beverages is just being unreasonable. It's tasty, convenient, and not harmful to health—what could be better?
Besides, the feeling of pouring bottle after bottle into your mouth is really great.
The only downside: it's a bit pricey.

**Taste**: ★★★☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★☆☆☆

> **The King of Summer Relief: Sour Plum Drink**
> Origin: Beijing
> Type: Infused drink
> Price: Depends on the teahouse owner's mood
> Drinking posture: After each sip, shout "Damn, that's sour!"

Sour plum drink is a very popular beverage in old Beijing, said to have existed since the Qing Dynasty, and its main feature is relieving heat.
Whether you're in scorching Wuhan or humid and stuffy Guangzhou, a cup of sour plum drink can instantly dispel the summer heat.
Why is it sour? Just look at the ingredients.
Dark plums, hawthorn, rock sugar—just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
Moreover, it not only relieves heat but also stimulates the appetite. Taking a sip before a big meal can definitely boost your appetite.

**Taste**: ★★★☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★★★★

**02. Regional Specials**

**"Drink what the locals drink."**
Our great nation has hundreds of cities, and each place has its own special drinks.
Like the old Beijing sour plum drink mentioned above, drinks from different regions not only taste vastly different but also reflect a certain attitude towards life of the locals.
Due to taste issues, I've excluded some drinks with too strong local flavors and focused on introducing more universally appealing ones.

> **Arctic Ocean**
> Origin: Old Beijing
> Type: Soda
> Price: ¥3

Take a bite of steaming hot instant-boiled mutton, sip an Arctic Ocean soda from a glass bottle, and shout in a Beijing accent, "A bit sour, just right!"
The old Beijing attitude is fully displayed.
Arctic Ocean's predecessor was the Beiping Ice Factory in 1936, and it wasn't until it was renamed Beijing Food Factory that the current polar bear logo was established.
Arctic Ocean soda is an orange soda, very cold and sweet, with a fizz that's much more comfortable than carbonated drinks.
It's made with fresh orange paste, very authentic, but still retains the kick of soda.
I remember in the 1980s, Arctic Ocean was almost ruined by counterfeit products, but now it's much more stable. It's sold almost everywhere, let alone in restaurants and canteens.
Compared to common drinks like cola and Sprite, old Beijingers prefer this solid, refreshing feeling. No matter where you go, drinking an Arctic Ocean tastes like home.

> **Ice Peak**
> Origin: Xi'an
> Type: Soda
> Price: ¥2.5

The first time I went to Xi'an was over 10 years ago for a temple fair. Back then, the Muslim Quarter wasn't as popular, and tourism was far less prosperous than now.
A bowl of liangpi (cold noodles) and a bottle of Ice Peak soda was a day's sustenance.
Ice Peak doesn't have a major breakthrough in taste compared to other sodas. Sweet orange flavor, light fizz, and not too much sugar. Compared to those colorful foreign drinks, it may not have outstanding features, but it has a simplicity.
In Xi'an, almost everyone knows Ice Peak, and almost everyone has drunk it.
This soda has been sold from 1953 to 2017.
During that time, there were no ads or promotions; it relied entirely on word of mouth from the locals. Ice Peak has almost become a hometown sentiment for Xi'an people.
"When you go home, you have to drink Ice Peak, or you'll feel uncomfortable all over."

> **Qiulin Kvass**
> Origin: Harbin
> Type: Low-alcohol drink
> Price: ¥4

A few years ago, kvass was rated by Chinese netizens as one of the "five worst-tasting drinks." It's like alcohol but not, like soda but not, bitter and astringent, and not very nutritious.
But I must say, this kvass is different from that kvass. The bad-tasting one is Wahaha Kvass; I'm talking about Qiulin Kvass.
117 years ago, Russians established the first Qiulin Company in Harbin, bringing the traditional brewing techniques from their homeland to Northeast China. Since then, kvass has become the most common drink for beer lovers.
Raisins, bread crumbs, and a little alcohol—kvass entered the market with a very special appearance. Fortunately, the reviews from the Northeastern folks are all positive.
"You know what? Kvass goes great with Harbin red sausage!"

**03. International Flair**

Good drinks aren't only domestic, but the dazzling array of foreign drinks isn't all good either.
Blindly worshipping foreign things won't improve your quality of life, and sticking only to domestic ones isn't necessarily the best choice either.
To that end, I tried nearly 50 foreign drinks and picked out a few with higher quality to recommend to you.

> **Nemurin Daha**
> Origin: Japan
> Type: Medicinal drink
> Price: ¥14

"A product born to break sleep for those who persist in their dreams."
This is the slogan of the manufacturer, Tokiwa Pharmaceutical. In short, it's a refreshing medicinal drink.
In terms of taste, it might not beat Red Bull, and in packaging, it might not compare to big brands like Wanglaoji, but in terms of refreshing, it's definitely top-notch.
Tester Brother B worked on drafts for two straight days, and after finishing, he still wanted to play a game of King of Fighters with me—the effect was quite significant.
The manufacturer also specifically reminds that you should drink at most one bottle a day. Besides "powerful," I can't think of another word to describe it.
However, although they've introduced four different flavors, the actual taste is still relatively poor; it's not particularly delicious.

**Taste**: ★★★☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★★★☆

> **Monster Energy**
> Origin: USA
> Type: Sports drink
> Price: ¥29

This is the best-selling energy drink in the US, and it's been seen frequently in esports competitions lately. It seems to have sponsored Team WE's comeback, which is great.
Monster Energy is a pure sports drink, quite different from Mizone or Gatorade.
A can of Monster contains 240 mg of caffeine, equivalent to 14 cans of cola. If you're not a regular user, you might experience adverse reactions like hyperactivity.
In terms of taste, it's quite good among sports drinks, and the packaging is stylish.
Overall, it's probably the best sports drink in the world.

**Taste**: ★★★☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★☆☆☆

> **Ramune**
> Origin: Japan
> Type: Soda
> Price: ¥10

Friends who often watch Japanese anime will definitely know Ramune.
This drink, originating in 1872, is Japan's most popular carbonated beverage and has maintained its top-selling status for many years.
Ramune's biggest feature is its bottle cap, sealed with a glass marble. To drink it, you need a special tool to push the marble in.
This glass marble keeps the soda fresh for a long time, preventing it from going flat or losing salt.
In terms of taste, Ramune maintains the most traditional characteristics: cool, light, and refreshing.
It can be said to be one of the essential drinks for summer.

**Taste**: ★★☆☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★★☆☆

> **Dutch Mill**
> Origin: Thailand
> Type: Yogurt drink
> Price: ¥2

A yogurt drink from Thailand with many flavors and a rich milky taste.
Once you try it, you'll know what real yogurt is. Those like Yili You Suan Nai are just fooling kids.

**Taste**: ★★★☆☆
**Value for Money**: ★★★★★

**04. Conclusion**

Dear readers, every drink above was tasted by Xiao Huang Gua while writing. By the end, I felt like I was losing my sense of taste, with my mouth full of sugar.
But fortunately, after reading this Good Stuff, I believe you've opened the door to a new world of beverages.
**In the scorching summer, what could be better than finding a delicious drink?**


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