For lovers of coffee drinks who are looking for low-calorie (50 to 60) options, High Brew is sold for $2.49 per eight-ounce can at specialty stores, including Whole Foods. It’s available in four flavors — Double Espresso, Mexican Vanilla, Dark Chocolate Mocha and Salted Caramel.
The coffee drinks are “born in Austin, Texas,” says the promotional literature, adding, “Made from fair trade Arabica coffee beans and brewed with zero heat to preserve flavor and antioxidants, High Brew… is the perfect ‘guilt-free’ pick-me-up.”
We like the convenience of the slim-profile cans, and put the flavors to a taste test. Here are excerpts from what the tasters had to say:
• Double Espresso: "A bit of bitter aftertaste. … I like the burned, charred taste. … A little watered-down. … Not sweet enough. … Would like it stronger. … Smooth and mild."
• Mexican Vanilla: "Nice cinnamon taste. … Hoping for some chile heat. … Not overly sweet, but sweet enough to dilute the coffee flavor. … I could use a stronger coffee taste. … Overly sweet. … Cinnamon is a nice surprise. … Where is the vanilla? … Pour it over ice on a hot day and it would be perfect."
• Dark Chocolate Mocha: "It's like drinking chocolate milk. … Bitter and too sweet. … The flavor misses the mark. … Overly sweet and over-chocolately. … Is that an aftertaste of cherry?"
• Salted Caramel: "Tastes like a chemical. … Mild caramel flavor in the background. … Not a flattering combination of caramel and sea salt. … About four times too sweet. … Could use more salt."
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