Friday, January 27, 2017

Toreta! - H-Mart

Toreta! - H-Mart (in New Jersey)
EDIT: 3/23/18: I've gotten a significant amount of emails, Facebook messages, and comments about this product. I guess this drink was featured on a popular K-Drama
All H-Marts use different suppliers and such for their specialty items. So what is in one H-Mart at one location, might not be available in others. Also this post was written over a year ago (at this point) so even if it was there at that time, it is likely long gone. 
It's always worth checking it out to be sure, but these bottles can also be purchased online or through a Korean goods service. If it's any consolation, it tastes like your average sports drink, and was only featured in the K-Drama as a paid product placement. I don't think you're missing out. 
Another case of pretty packaging pulling me in. I spotted this simple, but stunning, bottle in the chilled drink section of my local H-Mart and I fell in love with the illustrations and pops of color. When I picked one up I noticed it was some kind of fruit and veggie drink, with kale, apples, cabbage, and fruits...but it was 100% clear! How could this be? It must be witchcraft, right? Or at the very least, it must taste awful. I loved the labeling, and I was intrigued by the product, so into my cart it went.
When I took closer look at the nutritional label I noticed that this has absolutely no vitamins in it...which is strange. Usually the reason why you advertise a product being filled with fruits and veggies it's because it's being marketed as an easy way to get nutrients and vitamins into your diet. If there are no vitamins, no fiber, and it only uses .4% fruit and veggie juice, what is this product really about?
According to google, hydration. This is a fancy fruit and veggie themed Gatorade. (Which explains the added sodium.)
So, what we really have here is Korean, clear, fruit and veggie flavored sports drink. Not as exciting as what I had hoped, given the adorable illustrations, but it might still taste good. 
Once opened, the liquid inside smells salty, citrusy, and a little bitter. Honestly, it smells like fruit sweat, but that's pretty normal for sports drinks meant to keep you hydrated. 
It tastes mild but you know what? It is pretty refreshing. It has a more natural flavoring to it than Gatorade, Powerade and all those other electrolyte-filled products. (Electrolytes, it's what plants crave.) I imagine that this would be refreshing to chug after a game, or when you're leaving the gym, but for me, sitting here at my graphic design desk, it tastes a little bit like orange baby Aspirin. The more I sip on it, the more medicinal it tastes, and with my giant quart-sized "drinky-jar" I sip on every day, I'm not really in need of intense hydration. 
This Toreta! might taste a little more natural than the sports drinks we have here in America, but it's not a night-and-day difference worthy of it's pricey import price tag. I wouldn't kick it out of my fridge, but I wouldn't buy more of it either. I plan on drinking the rest of this after tonight's 30-day challenge workout and that'll be that.
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7 comments:

  1. where arw u from? Coz our H mart doesnt have it

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    1. I'm from New Jersey, but all H-Marts use different suppliers and such for their specialty items. So what is in one H-Mart at one location, might not be available in others.

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  2. Does the H-Mart in Duluth GA (or any other GA location) carry this?

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  3. I'm not sure. I'm from New Jersey, but all H-Marts use different suppliers and such for their specialty items. So what is in one H-Mart at one location, might not be available in others. It's always worth checking it out to be sure, but these bottles can also be purchased online.

    http://kpoptown.com/food/39489-beverage-toreta-500ml.html

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  4. Do u distribute the toreta to malaysia?

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  5. (Sorry for posting on such an old post, but I just bought this and wanted someone else's opinion on this drink besides myself. I bought it today from my local H-Mart in Fort Lee, NJ. You are RIGHT ON THE MONEY with the smell and the taste. To me, it tastes like heavily watered down Gatorade and I can't bring myself to keep on drinking it. That's $2.95 I wish I didn't spend. Eh, you live then you learn.

    Is there any way to subscribe to your posts through email? I don't have a website anymore nor I don't think I will have one again in the future but DO LOVE your reviews on food and drinks. Please email me with response since I won't be able to be notified of your reply back. angela.autry@gmail.com :)

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