Coconut water has come a long way from the time when you were only able to sip on it straight from the green fruit on a tropical vacation. These days, you can find lots of options of the trendy beverage at the supermarket or your local convenience store. What used to be a beachside novelty drink is now readily available in sparkling, flavored, organic, with or without pulp, bottled, boxed and canned forms. As someone who comes from the south of India and grew up with ready access to coconut water (the fruit would fall from the trees in my backyard), I have some strong opinions about the now-popular drink and hydration darling. Could any of the many packaged versions stand up to what I had as a kid?To find the best coconut water, I searched through supermarkets, specialty shops and bodegas near my New York City home and grabbed as many different brands as I could. Once I had my contenders (13 in all!), I did a blind taste test to see which ones were “just like drinking straight from a coconut,” as many brands claimed, and which ones were better left on the shelf.Sipping my way through these bottles, boxes and cans was eye-opening. There was a wide range of flavors, textures and even colors among these coconut water contenders. Some stood out—in good ways and bad—but at the end of the tasting, the winner was abundantly clear. Read on for my full ranking and find out which brand you should add to your shopping list.Related: I Tried 10 Popular Mountain Dew Flavors and the Winner Was Abundantly Clear?? SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. ??
What Are the Health Benefits of Coconut Water?
Coconut water isn’t just refreshing; it has many health benefits, too. To get the details on the drink's wellness perks, I spoke to Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CDN and the Nutrition & Fitness Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute.“I like to think of coconut water as nature’s sports drink,” Sassos tells Parade. “The beverage is naturally packed with electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, which make it great for hydration. Whether you’re recovering from a workout, spending time outside on hot days or bouncing back after being sick, coconut water can help your body rehydrate and replenish.” While hydration alone is a win, Sassos adds that potassium is another great reason to reach for coconut water. “Potassium plays a big role in heart health. Diets rich in potassium can help manage high blood pressure, lessen the effects of sodium and even help reduce the risk of stroke," she explains. "And we know that most Americans consume too much sodium and too little potassium to begin with.”She also adds that coconut water supports healthy circulation and can help your skin look great thanks to the drink's hydrating benefits. If you pick up a brand that's fortified with vitamin C, it can help create collagen synthesis, which is important for skin health and repair.
If you're looking to cut back on sugary drinks, Sassos suggests swapping sodas or juices with unsweetened coconut water for a better-for-you beverage.
Sassos also adds a word of caution for people who are managing kidney health. Coconut water is high in potassium, which isn't great for people whose kidneys aren't functioning properly.
Related: I Tried 14 Store-Bought Lemonades and the Winner Won By a Landslide
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How To Shop for Coconut Water
After sharing the skinny on the health benefits of coconut water, we chatted with Sassos about her advice for buying the beverage. “When choosing a coconut water, look for one with just a single ingredient: 100% coconut water," she shares. "I recommend avoiding options with added sugars, flavors or preservatives.” Another important tip is to look for coconut water that’s not made from a concentrate. According to Sassos, the nutritional profile and flavor are better in fresh coconut water. Related: I Tried 6 Popular Grape Soda Brands and the Winner Was Nostalgia in a Bottle
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How I Tested These Coconut Waters
To ensure a level playing field, I tested all 13 coconut waters straight from the refrigerator. I opened each container fresh and blind-tasted them one by one. To cleanse my palate, I had a sip of plain water after trying each contender. Before I started the tasting, I created a spreadsheet to help me keep track of my tasting notes. As I tasted my way through the brands, I was looking for a few key things. First and foremost, did it taste like real coconut water or did it have an artificial tinge to it? Did it lean sour or metallic? I also paid attention to the texture of the drink. Was it light and refreshing or thick and gloopy? Any aftertaste was also a consideration. While the initial flavor may have been pleasant, some brands had a lingering metallic finish. Finally, I thought about whether I'd like to drink the entire container and come back for more. Related: I Tried 5 Chick-fil-A Milkshakes and the Winner Was a Fan Favorite
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13 Coconut Water Brands, Ranked from Worst to Best
13. Coco Blast Coconut Water
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Unfortunately, Coco Blast missed the mark in almost every category. The initial sip revealed a strong metallic flavor, followed by an odd, lingering aftertaste that overshadowed any hint of coconut. I'd suggest passing on this brand.
12. Goya Coconut Water
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Goya’s coconut water had a fair amount of pulp, which gave it a slightly thicker texture. It also had a distinct metallic flavor that carried through from the first sip to the aftertaste. It lacked the lightness and refreshment I look for in a coconut water and felt heavy on the palate. While it’s widely available and affordable, the flavor profile didn’t quite capture the essence of fresh coconut.Related: I Tried 10 Store-Bought Margarita Mixes and the Winner Tastes Almost Homemade
11. Jamaican Choice Coconut Water
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This brand quickly veers into artificial territory with the flavors being too sweet and too coconutty. The flavor tastes less like natural coconut and more like a coconut-flavored beverage than a fresh, clean, hydrating drink.
10. Foco Coconut Water
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Foco’s coconut water is very sweet and includes pulp, which could be a plus or minus depending on your preference. The pulp is noticeable in every sip and gives the water a textured feel. Personally, I found it a bit too syrupy, though it didn’t have much of an aftertaste.Related: We Tried 14 Different Orange Sodas and You Can Buy the Winner at Walmart
9. Iberia Coconut Water
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Iberia leans heavily into a syrupy sweetness that makes it feel more like canned juice than pure coconut water. It lacked the clean, hydrating quality I was hoping for, and while it didn’t leave much of an aftertaste, the overly sweet profile would make it difficult for me to finish. This brand might work well in smoothies or cocktails where sweetness is welcome.
8. Once Upon a Coconut Coconut Water
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This brand has a strong coconut flavor and a rich texture. If you love a pronounced coconut taste, this one might be for you. I didn't love that this brand included added sugars, which I prefer to avoid in coconut water.Related: We Tried 9 Prebiotic & Probiotic Sodas and You Can Buy Our Top Pick at Costco
7. Rica Coconut Water
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Rica’s coconut water was slightly sour, and while it wasn’t unpleasant, it didn’t deliver the coconutty flavor you'd expect from coconut water. The coconut taste seemed to get lost, making the experience feel somewhat muted. On the plus side, the aftertaste was clean and the texture was light.
6. C2O Coconut Water
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C2O had a very light texture and an approachable taste at first, but there was an odd, sour aftertaste that wasn't my favorite. That said, this brand was relatively refreshing and would work well after a workout or on a hot day.
5. Vita Coco Coconut Water
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Vita Coco is one of the most widely recognized coconut water brands, and it has a salty-sour flavor profile that may divide drinkers. It isn't overly sweet or heavily flavored, which I appreciate, but it doesn’t exactly taste like fresh coconut either. It’s consistent and reliable, though, and I found it oddly satisfying in its own unique way.
4. Grace Coconut Water
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Grace surprised me with its clean, natural coconut flavor. It didn’t have any strange aromas or unpleasant aftertaste, and it felt balanced and easy to drink from start to finish. This is a great option if you’re looking for something affordable and authentic-tasting without a lot of extras.Related: I Juiced Lemons Using 6 Different Methods and the Winner Was Very Clear
3. Fruit Kist Coconut Water
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A standout among the lesser-known brands, Fruit Kist was impressively clean and light. It tasted pure and natural, with no artificial flavor notes or sweetness overload. I found it incredibly drinkable and refreshing. This brand will be something I’d happily keep stocked in my fridge for everyday hydration.
2. Real Coco Organic Coconut Water
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Real Coco had a fresh flavor that came very close to sipping from a young, green coconut. It was light and smooth, with almost no aftertaste. I didn’t find it to have any overly sweet or sour flavor profiles.Related: We Asked a Floridian to Taste & Rank 11 Orange Juice Brands and the Winner Surprised Him
1. Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water
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Harmless Harvest was the clear winner in this taste test. The first thing I noticed was the color. This drink is pink thanks to natural antioxidants. Next was the flavor. It has a beautiful balance of natural coconut sweetness, a touch of salt and a fresh, vibrant flavor that feels like it came straight from the fruit. It’s hydrating and leaves no strange aftertaste. With its high-quality ingredients and consistently excellent flavor, it earned a perfect 10 out of 10.
The cherry on top of it all is that the brand uses 100% recycled bottles. If you’re looking for the best-tasting coconut water out there, this is the one to beat. It's also worth noting that my top two picks are organic coconut waters, so it might be worth seeking out an organic option when you're shopping.
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Source:
• Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CDN, Nutrition & Fitness Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute
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