Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

It's hot! 

Okay, that's an understatement. The scourging heat of the summer sun is unbearable. I have turned off the heater (we live in Tagaytay so our water is cold) to enjoy the feel of cold water during showers and refresh me somehow. But as soon as I step out of the shower, trickles of perspiration run through my back and I hate it! The fan and a small hand towel is currently my best friend!

With this heat, it is important that adults, especially kids, stay hydrated. I literally count the number of glasses of water I drink everyday. For my kids, since drinking water isn't fun, I bought them calamansi & dalandan concentrate so they can drink more liquid and keep them hydrated. (I stay away from buying them powdered juice and iced tea for obvious reasons but more on that in another post.)

In search for natural juices for myself and my kids aside from our usual canned pineapple & four season juices, I found this 'organic calamansi concentrate plus sugarcane' from Bendurya I bought from a bazaar in St. Luke's BGC. It costs P200 for 550ml. I was sold into the 'organic' proposition so even if I find it a little bit pricey than other brands ('organic' is priced more premium), I bought it. 

Having finished the 550ml bottle in one week, I can't say I became a fan. The liquid is thick as expected of a concentrate but I think it's too thick because of the sweetening agent used (sugarcane, I assume). It takes a bit of stirring when mixed in cold water to ensure it's fully diluted. It is also missing the sour, tangy taste I'm expecting from a calamansi concentrate. It's just pure sweetness.

So although I appreciate the fact that it is organic (I hope they really mean 'organic' meaning the calamansi &; sugarcane and other ingredients were grown through 'organic' means and not just because they didn't use chemicals as an ingredient) -- and I tend to patronize organic produce if it is reasonably priced (some do bank too much on being organic they put a hefty price tag on their produce) -- I didn't like the fact that it is too sweet for my liking and it did not deliver on the sourness I expect from a calamansi juice.

And since I decided to finish it rather than give it to my kids (you guess right, because of the sweetness), I bought them other brands to try -- Squeeze 4U Calamansi Concentrate &; Phil's Best Dalandan Concentrate. More on these two in my next post.

Product name: Bendurya 100% Pure Organic Calamansi concentrate plus sugarcane

Product Description: Organic Calamansi concentrate with sugarcane

Size:550ml

Price: P200 (Summer Bazaar at St Luke's, BGC)

Manufacturer: Unspecified, from Batangas City

'The Regular Consumer' Rating: 3 out of 5. Too sweet.