If you're unfamiliar with the Olipop brand, starting with the Olipop Sampler is a great choice. This allows you to try various flavors all at once. Each of the 6 flavors is distinct, but they don’t taste like your typical sodas. If you're a regular soda drinker, you might find the taste a bit unexpected.
Olipop Review Flavor Test
To objectively evaluate the flavors, we decided to conduct a side-by-side taste test. We paired the sodas with pizza, making the experience more enjoyable and closer to a traditional soda pairing.
1. Olipop Vintage Cola Review
The Vintage Cola wasn't quite what we anticipated. If you're hoping for a taste similar to Coke or Pepsi, you might be let down. The carbonation was lower than what we're used to, making the flavor a bit flat. However, it does have significantly less sugar than regular colas, so it's more comparable to a diet cola.
2. Olipop Classic Root Beer Review
We were both excited to try the Classic Root Beer, but it didn't meet our expectations. While the root beer aroma was pleasant, the flavor was too mild. The carbonation was even less than that of the Vintage Cola, which didn’t help its case.
3. Olipop Orange Squeeze Review
Among all the Olipop sodas, the Orange Squeeze had the most pronounced flavor. We could actually taste and smell the orange, which was what we were hoping for. However, compared to a regular orange soda, the flavor was still much lighter.
4. Olipop Strawberry Vanilla Review
The Strawberry Vanilla followed the trend of mild flavors typical of the Olipop line. Again, the carbonation was lower than we expected, and while we could smell the strawberry, the flavor wasn’t as strong as we’d like. Still, it could be a great mixer or a refreshing drink on a hot day.
5. Olipop Cherry Vanilla Review
Unfortunately, the Cherry Vanilla was another letdown. We both enjoy cherry vanilla sodas and had high hopes, but this one didn’t live up to our expectations. One of us thought it tasted like cherry cough syrup, while the other felt it tasted like a lightly flavored cherry soda with no vanilla.
6. Olipop Ginger Lemon Review
The Ginger Lemon was similar in flavor to the Strawberry Vanilla. The taste was very mild, as was the aroma. It could be a good summer drink by the pool or a decent mixer, but not much more than that.
Are Olipop Sodas High Quality?
Olipop is vastly different from other sodas because it’s designed to improve your gut health, rather than harm it. Each Olipop soda contains the same 7 gut-friendly ingredients:
- Marshmallow Root: High in fiber and helps ease mild digestive discomfort.
- Calendula: Known for its healing properties and mild flavor.
- Nopal Cactus: Rich in antioxidants, carotenoids, and fiber.
- Slippery Elm Bark: Widely used for its soothing effects on the gut.
- Cassava Root: High in prebiotics and fiber.
- Jerusalem Artichoke: High in fiber, potassium, iron, and antioxidants.
- Kudzu Root: Extremely rich in prebiotics and fiber.
These ingredients give Olipop a significant 9 grams of fiber per serving, while reducing carbs to only 3-8 grams and calories to 45 grams. This alone can make a significant impact on your diet.
My only concern is that Olipop isn’t fully transparent about where they source their ingredients or where their products are manufactured. While I appreciate the mission of the company, the lack of transparency does give me pause.
Is Olipop Worth the Price?
If you're looking for a new way to boost your gut health, Olipop might be worth trying. At $3 per can, it’s a bit pricey for a soda, but considering it’s not just a regular soda, the price is justified.
For those who don’t drink soda regularly or follow a low-sugar diet, Olipop can be a tasty addition to an already healthy lifestyle. It’s not comparable to traditional sodas, but the flavor profiles are good for those who don’t typically consume sugary drinks.
Olipop has a reasonable level of sweetness, especially in flavors other than root beer and cola. While the carbonation isn’t as strong as in regular sodas, those who don’t usually drink carbonated beverages might enjoy it.
If you fit into this category, then Olipop sodas are certainly worth trying. However, due to the higher price, they’re probably best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a daily drink. If you’ve been looking for a way to cut down on your sugar intake or reduce soda consumption, Olipop could be a great option. After all, sodas were originally created as health tonics, so perhaps it’s time to get back to that.
Olipop Soda Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re looking to improve your health in an alternative way, Olipop is worth considering. Whether you’re trying to cut back on soda or already follow a low-sugar diet, Olipop can help. However, if you love the taste of traditional sodas, Olipop might take some getting used to. That said, taste buds regenerate every 10 days, so if you can give it that time, you might end up enjoying Olipop.
