Coconut Water Brands to Avoid: Don’t Buy

I’ve always been a lover of natural beverages. They’re refreshing, full of essential nutrients, and they make for great health drinks.

Recently, I’ve been diving deep into the world of coconut water. As someone who’s personally tested multiple brands, I feel a responsibility to shed light on my experiences. I’m here today to help you make a more informed choice.

However, not all coconut water brands are worth trying.

 From my experience and testing, here are some of the worst coconut water brands you may want to reconsider before adding them to your cart.

The coconut water brands to avoid are Naked Juice, C2O, Zico, Goya, Harmless Harvest, O.N.E, CocoZona, and Vita Coco for artificial flavors, high sugar, and odd tastes.

List of Worst Coconut Water Brands to Avoid

Naked Juice, C2O, Zico, Goya, Harmless Harvest, O.N.E, CocoZona, and Vita Coco are coconut water brands to avoid due to reasons such as artificial flavoring, high sugar content, peculiar taste, and lack of transparency about ingredients.

1. Naked Juice Coconut Water

First on my list is Naked Juice Coconut Water. On paper, Naked Juice may seem like a good option.

It’s widely available, and the packaging is quite appealing. However, once I took my first sip, I was met with an unpleasant surprise.

Instead of the fresh, natural flavor that I expected, Naked Juice Coconut Water has an artificial taste to it.

It tasted as if a few drops of artificial coconut flavoring were added to the mix, which I couldn’t ignore.

On a positive note, the packaging is recyclable and it’s easily accessible in most stores.

While discussing the artificial taste of Naked Juice, it’s also crucial to be aware of similar issues in other products, much like bad coconut oil brands that fail to deliver on their natural promise.

Despite this, I believe there are better alternatives. For instance, Vita coconut water, although high in sugar, offers a more genuine coconut water taste.

2. C2O Pure Coconut Water

Next on my radar is C2O Pure Coconut Water. Again, this brand appears promising at first glance. Its name suggests a pure, unadulterated coconut water experience. Unfortunately, this was far from my experience.

The first red flag for me was the taste and smell – it was simply awful. Upon further investigation, I discovered that sugar was added to this supposedly ‘pure’ coconut water.

Recognizing these hidden ingredients is essential, similar to identifying fake olive oil brands.

While some people may not mind the added sweetness, I prefer my coconut water to be as natural as possible.

C2O does, however, boast a longer shelf life than most brands, which could be a positive point for some consumers.

3. Zico Coconut Water

Zico Coconut Water is a brand I had high hopes for, given its popularity. However, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment.

The primary issue with Zico Coconut Water is its color and taste. I consistently found it to be brown, which was a bit off-putting.

Additionally, the taste was a little too sweet for my liking, making me question the purity of the product.

It’s also worth mentioning that Zico supports sustainable farming practices, which is a commendable endeavor.

4. Goya Coconut Water With Pulp

Let’s not forget about Goya Coconut Water With Pulp. I admit I was intrigued by the idea of a coconut water brand that included pulp.

It suggested a raw, more authentic coconut experience that could add a new dimension to the drink. However, my optimism was short-lived.

My major issue with Goya Coconut Water lies in its sugar content.

To put it bluntly, the sugar level in this brand is through the roof, mimicking the sweetness of a soda more than a refreshing, natural beverage. For me, the overbearing sweetness made it difficult to enjoy the drink.

Now, I will say that including pulp offers a unique texture that some may enjoy. The brand also offers a wide range of other products that you may find appealing.

Speaking of the high sugar content in Goya, it’s interesting to note how other food products, like fake meat brands, sometimes conceal their nutritional value.

5. Harmless Harvest Coconut Water

A good friend recently shared their experience with Harmless Harvest Coconut Water, compelling me to include it in this list.

Initially, I was drawn to the brand due to its claim of being ‘harmless’, implying a natural and sustainable production process. However, my friend’s feedback urged me to dig deeper.

Their most striking comment was about the taste. They shared that it tasted eerily similar to the smell of rodents.

Now, if you’ve never smelled rodents before, trust me, it’s not something you’d want your coconut water to resemble.

This odd taste/smell resemblance made it challenging for my friend, and later for me, to enjoy the drink.

Additionally, despite its less-than-appealing taste, Harmless Harvest Coconut Water is quite expensive compared to other brands. This seems unjustifiable given the taste experience that it provides.

On a more positive note, the brand is USDA Organic and Fair for Life certified, which means they are committed to ethical and sustainable practices.

6. O.N.E Coconut Water

While researching the world of coconut water brands, I stumbled upon O.N.E Coconut Water.

Many customer reviews caught my attention, most of which painted a less-than-stellar picture of this brand.

Many customers complained about the overpowering taste of O.N.E Coconut Water.

The general consensus was that its flavor was so intense that it detracted from the hydrating experience that coconut water is meant to provide.

One customer even described it as ‘drinking a dessert’ rather than a refreshing beverage.

7. CocoZona Coconut Water

Venturing further into coconut water brands, I’ve come across CocoZona Coconut Water.

This is another brand that, in my opinion, has missed the mark when it comes to delivering a pleasant, hydrating coconut water experience.

My primary issue with CocoZona Coconut Water is its taste. It’s far from the fresh, revitalizing flavor that one would expect from coconut water.

The sugar content in CocoZona is also quite high, which detracts from the naturalness of the drink.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect is the presence of some unknown ingredients.

The brand has not been entirely transparent about the origins of these ingredients, which raises questions about the overall quality and safety of the product.

8. Vita Coco Coconut Water

Vita Coco Coconut Water is a brand you may have encountered due to its popularity and widespread availability.

However, my experience with it has been far from satisfactory, leading me to include it on this list.

The most apparent issue with Vita Coco is the high amount of added sugar and flavorings.

While a slight sweetness can enhance the natural flavor of coconut water, Vita Coco seems to have overstepped this boundary, giving the drink an almost synthetic taste.

Moreover, Vita Coco undergoes ultra-high-temperature pasteurization.

While this process extends the product’s shelf life, it can also affect the coconut water’s natural flavor and nutritional content.

In Conclusion

Navigating the world of coconut water brands can be a daunting task.

With countless options on the market, not all live up to the promise of offering a refreshing, healthy, and natural beverage.

From my personal experience and careful consideration of customer reviews, brands like Naked Juice, C2O, Zico, Goya, Harmless Harvest, O.N.E, CocoZona, and Vita Coco have shown significant shortcomings.

These issues range from artificial flavoring and high sugar content to peculiar tastes and lack of ingredient transparency.

However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s tastes and preferences are different.

What one person may find unappealing, another might enjoy. That’s the beauty of having such a diverse range of options available.

The key is to stay informed and make choices that align with your taste preferences and health goals.

Steven Settles

Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.