Soda is back and has had an obvious rebrand as new, healthier alternatives continue to flood grocery store shelves. With so many beverage brands on a mission to create a better-for-you soda that actually tastes good, it can be difficult choosing which one to actually purchase. I’ve been a long time rider of the healthy soda train, and after trying many flavors from each different company, it’s safe to say Culture Pop is my clear favorite. Often overshadowed by trendier brands like Poppi and Olipop, this probiotic soda is made from natural ingredients, has an inspiring mission, and provides the strongest flavor selection, making it my go-to when reaching for a fun drink.
What are the ingredients in Culture Pop?
Culture Pop claims to have “flavor as real as its ingredients,” and each one features a unique blend of ingredients that provides a refreshing, gut-friendly drink. With standout flavors like Watermelon & Lime and Pink Grapefruit & Ginger, each Culture Pop recipe is made with organic fruit juice, herbs, and spices. The tanginess may seem to overpower the taste at first, but the juice provides a perfect complement of sweetness. Culture Pop is described as only “slightly sweet” due to a lack of artificial sweeteners, refined sugar, or stevia, which many healthy soda lovers have been looking for in contrast to the super sweet alternatives. On top of the drink’s flavor, Culture Pop features a probiotic strain called Bacillus Subtilis, a non-GMO ingredient that supports gut health and reduces bloating.
Is Culture Pop good for you?
With so much buzz about probiotics, it can be confusing to understand what benefits healthier sodas actually provide. According to the National Institutes of Health, a higher Colony Forming Unit (CFU) count typically means a greater concentration of probiotics, and this can be better for promoting gut health. Each can of Culture Pop contains billions of CFUs, and contrary to the agave inulin prebiotics typically found in Poppi, aka the food that nourishes the probiotics, probiotics are the good-for-you bacteria that improve bodily functions like digestion, gastrointestinal balance, and immunity. In addition to boosting gut health, drinking Culture Pop over normal soda allows you to enjoy a fun and fizzy drink while lowering your sugar intake and putting more natural ingredients into your body.
What does Culture Pop taste like?
The brand’s taste and messaging is founded on two adjectives: fizzy and gutsy. As someone who has sampled many different flavors of Culture Pop, including fan favorites like Black Cherry and Orange Mango & Lime, I can guarantee that’s exactly what you’re getting. The carbonation is a perfect happy medium – I’d describe it as a step down from seltzer, but step up from juice. Culture Pop sweetens its probiotic sodas only with organic juice, and since many dislike the taste of fake sugar, this is a satisfying soda without the distinct aftertaste.
Which flavors of Culture Pop are best?
Culture Pop sells both a Zesty & Tarty and Jazzy & Juicy variety pack, which makes it easy to try almost every flavor of the probiotic bev. As a fan who drinks Culture Pop by the 12-pack, I can confidently say that Strawberry & Rhubarb is my favorite flavor because of its refreshing qualities and gentle combination of fruitiness and tartness.
Coming in at a close second is Wild Berries & Lime, which perfectly blends a sweet fruity flavor with citrus to make my favorite drink to have with lunch. And last but not least is Ginger Lemon & Turmeric, where the fiery flavor explodes in your mouth and warms your entire body. Overall, I love getting the combo pack because I can choose one of 12 flavors to align with what I’m in the mood for that day. Many healthier sodas on the market are meant to mimic the classic nostalgia of typical flavors like Cola, lemon-lime, or orange. Culture Pop is unique in that you still get the satisfying fizz of soda, but with fresh, tangy, and gutsy juice and spice combinations that keep every sip exciting.
How much does Culture Pop cost?
There’s a common dilemma among health and wellness products: consumers want food and drinks that are not only good for their body, but also good for their wallet. In comparison to regular soda, healthier alternatives are obviously more expensive, as a can of Coca-Cola retails for less than $1. But in terms of the big three in healthy sodas, Culture Pop costs the least.
While a can of Poppi is $2.50 and a can of Olipop is almost $3, Culture Pop can be found for less than $2 at certain retailers! It’s a drink made from high quality ingredients for a low price – my perfect recipe when choosing a healthy soda. In addition to the price difference, Culture Pop’s main distinction from other healthier sodas is that it’s probiotic as opposed to its prebiotic competitors. According to the Culture Pop website, the significance lies in that while both gut-healthy ingredients work in tandem, prebiotics are thought more as the food that serves the probiotics. Probiotics, found in Culture Pop, are the natural, beneficial bacterias found in the gut, making it a healthier soda that boosts immunity and digestion.
Where can I find Culture Pop?
Culture Pop can currently be found in Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway, Sprouts, and other popular grocery chains, but the team is always letting its audience know where they are expanding via their Instagram page. They’re also fully stocked online if you want to purchase from the company’s website, and additionally, the soda is available in packs of 12 on Amazon. The combination of real ingredients, gut-friendly benefits, low price, and unique taste makes Culture Pop the best soda alternative in my opinion. Go try it for yourself and find your own favorite flavor!