Simons: Latest flavor rage? It's the berries: goji, acai

Published June 28, 2006 at midnight

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If you haven't yet tasted anything flavored with goji or acai berries, you're simply not au courant. These exotic fruits, high in antioxidants, are all the latest rage.

And, according to Matt Sungy, product manager for Boulder's Celestial Seasonings tea, you're going to be seeing a lot more of them soon. Celestial Seasonings has just introduced Acai Mango Zinger Herb Tea, Tropical Acai Berry Green Tea and Goji Berry Pomegranate Green Tea.

"Exotic flavors are very hot right now," Sungy said.

Acai berries are a recent Amazon rainforest discovery, and goji berries, which come from Tibet, have been used for thousands of years by Himalayan healers and monks, he said.

"The health benefits also are driving a lot of the interest," said Sungy, noting that both berries are high in several heart-healthy omega fatty acids and vitamins including B vitamins and E.

So far, Celestial Seasonings says it is the only company to put goji berries into a tea bag, but they're slowly creeping out into other corners of the marketplace. Dried goji berries are available at natural food outlets including Vitamin Cottage and Wild Oats. Clif Nectar bars' Lemon Vanilla Cashew variety lists organic goji berries among the ingredients.

• Parents concerned that their children can't get nutritious beverages without carrying a thermos of milk will be pleased to discover SoyBlendz Soy-Fruit Smoothies. The beverage comes in 10-ounce plastic bottles that don't require refrigeration. All four flavors - Mixed Berry Medley, Mango/Orange Dream, Orange Citrus Splash and Strawberry/Banana Blast - are high in calcium and vitamins D, A and C. SoyBlendz is $1.99 a bottle, available at metro-area Super Target stores.

Do you have a tip on a new trend in groceries? Contact Janet Simons at simonsj@RockyMountainNews.com, 303-892-2547 or post a comment on her blog, blogs.rockymountain news.com/denver/simons/

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