As a Registered Dietitian, I help people discover new ways to be their healthiest selves. Part of this job is to find creative and delicious ways to help people stay hydrated on a daily basis. This can be difficult if a person doesn’t like the taste of plain water (it’s more common than you’d think!). If you’re looking for a delicious, far-from-boring way to hydrate, then it’s time to try Vita Coco’s Pressed Coconut Water.
An article from Bon Appetit reviews Pressed by Vita Coco as the closest thing to cracking open a fresh coconut — and I have to agree1. Read on to learn about how Vita Coco’s Pressed coconut water is made, how it compares to other coconut water products (from taste to nutrition!), and how you can incorporate it into your diet.
What Is Vita Coco’s Pressed Coconut Water?
Vita Coco’s Pressed takes their original coconut water to the next level by adding a dash of coconut cream for an extra coconutty flavor. The cream gives it that true coconut texture, with tiny coconut flesh particles distributed throughout for that subtle tropical taste.
What Does “Pressed” Coconut Water Taste Like?
One sip of this coconut water product brings me straight to summertime by the beach. The refreshing taste of Vita Coco Pressed is equally great alone or combined with your favorite fruit juice or flavored water. I tried it with pineapple juice and I loved that it gave the drink a summery piña colada flavor.
One box of this drink helps rehydrate me after exercising, and online reviewers agree on its ability to maintain optimal hydration. What makes it even more effective than standard coconut water for me is that the added coconut flavor makes it more palatable, which makes me more likely to drink it on a consistent basis and reap the full health benefits. It’s seriously craveable, and I find myself reaching for it more often because it feels like such a treat to drink.
Plus, Vita Coco’s Pressed has a smooth, slightly more substantial texture that makes it a great base for smoothies and smoothie bowls. My only recommendation would be to make sure you consume it chilled. Although these drinks are technically shelf stable for up to 12 months, Pressed definitely tastes best when it’s fresh from the fridge!
Nutritional Facts of Pressed Coconut Water
Pressed contains 60 calories per 8 oz. serving (vs. 45 calories per 8 oz. of standard coconut water)2. While it’s overall a healthy beverage option, it’s still worth limiting your intake to a certain extent, as it contains 10 grams of natural sugar and one gram of added sugar from fruit juice for consistency.
Electrolyte Content in Pressed Coconut Water
As far as electrolytes go, each cup of Pressed coconut water contains the following, including magnesium.
The Environmental Impact of Pressed Coconut Water
Vita Coco’s Pressed is packaged in an eco-friendly and socially responsible BPA-free Tetra Pak. Tetra Paks are a type of packaging made from wood fiber, which is a sustainable resource. This type of packaging keeps the coconut water fresh and gives it a shelf life of up to one year.
You can recycle Tetra Paks by taking an empty Pak, closing the lid tight, and placing the un-flattened Pak in a recycling bin with other cartons.
Sourcing of Pressed Coconut Water
The coconuts used to make Pressed are sourced from small farms in the Philippines and other tropical locations around the world3. This helps ensure that your drink is always as fresh as possible. From there, Vita Coco picks and cracks the best coconuts to extract the coconut water. The water is then filtered, and the flavor and consistency is standardized by adding vitamin C and 1% sugar.
How Can I Add Pressed Coconut Water Into My Daily Routine?
There are many ways to incorporate Pressed as part of your daily diet, such as:
- Morning routine replacement: If you’re someone who likes to start their morning with a glass of orange juice (or any fruit juice, really!), try swapping it for Pressed. This coconut water is a flavorful replacement that has less sugar and a more unique flavor profile than most standard juice options.
- Workout companion: Pressed makes a great base for protein shakes. Just add your favorite protein powder to Pressed instead of water or milk for a unique and delicious addition to your fitness routine. (Or if you’re focusing only on hydration rather than protein, just bring a bottle of Pressed to the gym!)
- Smoothie base: Use Pressed as a creamy smoothie base that provides hydration and healthy fats. Just blend your favorite fruits and vegetables with Pressed for a tropical twist on your favorite fruit smoothie recipes.
- Cocktail mixer: Rather than pairing alcohol with sugary juices like cranberry juice, try incorporating Pressed instead. It will still add a bit of island flavor to your cocktail, but it has the added benefit of hydrating you during your night out!
- Chia pudding: Just sprinkle a few tablespoons of chia seeds per cup of Pressed and allow it to sit for at least five minutes to let the chia seeds absorb the coconut water and thicken, just like pudding.
- Natural creamer alternative: Instead of artificial coffee creamer products, add pressed coconut water to your morning beverage for a delicious and healthy creamer alternative.
Where Can I Buy Vita Coco Pressed?
You can conveniently purchase Vita Coco Pressed online from Amazon in a 12-pack of 11.1-ounce packages, at the equivalent of $1.74 per package.
Final Notes on Pressed Coconut Water
Vita Coco Pressed is a premium quality coconut water product that is not only eco-friendly, but a healthy plant-based beverage option. And besides just drinking it for refreshment, there are a variety of applications for this coconut water product — from standard hydration to a smoothie base, a natural happy hour mixer, a hangover prevention or recovery method, or a unique twist on post-workout drinks.
Although Pressed has a higher price point and a shorter shelf life than plain water, it can help shake up a boring hydration routine. Premium beverage seekers, clean label enthusiasts, and natural food lovers alike will love the benefits that Vita Coco Pressed coconut water can provide.
Sources:
- https://www.bonappetit.com/story/vita-coco-pressed-coconut-water
- https://vitacoco.com/products/pressed?variant=40501247967420
- https://vitacoco.com/pages/faq
