I bought the twelve pack of ready to drink Ito En green tea at Costco that is unsweetened and labelled “Oi Ocha” and gave it a try.
The unsweetened tea is brewed with authentic Japanese tea leaves (Shinsha, the first cut from the Spring) and contains naturally occurring antioxidants and caffeine as well as an added shot of Vitamin C.
The “Oi Ocha” product name translates as “Tea, Please!”
Calories and Caffeine Content
There are 12 bottles per case with each bottle holding 500 mL (1.06 pints) of tea.
Nutrition Facts
One 500 mL bottle is a single serving. The nutritional facts for a single serving are:
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1g (1% DV)
- Sodium: 75mg (3% CV)
Each bottle of tea contains 60 mgs of caffeine.
As a reference point the caffeine content of some other drinks at Costco are:
- Kirkland Signature Cold Brew Coffee = 225mg
- Super Coffee = 200mg
Ingredient List
The tea contains:
- Purified Water
- Green tea
- Vitamin C
Taste Test
Ito En says that the tea is best served cold and I enjoy it over ice.
If you have never had authentic unsweetened green tea before then the first sip is likely to surprise you.
The flavor is clean but earthy and pungent. This tea does not have the sharp, crisp and bitter taste that you get from a fully oxidized black tea like Lipton’s.
This is one of those flavor profiles that, on the first sip, makes you wonder if you like it or not. But, by the time you finish the first bottle, you discover that you find the flavor to be quite pleasing.
Item Number and Location
The ready to drink green tea is Item Number 290983.
This is a shelf stable, non-refrigerated item which means it is something that Costco can, and does, move all over the warehouse. Costco does this inventory location shuffle as a way to keep you wandering the aisles a little bit longer.
Sometimes I find the tea along the back wall with the Diet Coke and other sodas while sometimes it is stacked in the non-refrigerated grocery aisles.
Costco Value
Costco has the 12 pack of Ito En Japanese green tea priced at $14.99 which comes out to a cost of $1.249 per bottle.
You can buy the same 12 pack at Walmart for $14.46 which works out to a cost of $1.205 per bottle.
This is one of the few times that you can save a little money by purchasing a product at Walmart instead of Costco. Please note, the $14.46 price at Walmart appears to be a markdown from a regular price of $23.99 so double check current prices before making a special trip.
Interesting Facts About the Brand
Ito En is a renowned brand for its ready-to-drink green teas and other beverage products. Here are some interesting facts about Ito En’s ready-to-drink green tea:
Natural Ingredients: Ito En’s green tea is made with all-natural ingredients. The company prides itself on using nothing but tea leaves and water to brew their green tea.
Authentic Brewing Process: The green tea is made using an authentic brewing process that is designed to extract the full flavor and nutrients from the tea leaves.
No Added Sugars: Ito En’s unsweetened green tea has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. This makes it a healthier choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake.
Packaging: Ito En’s ready-to-drink green tea comes in several types of packaging, including plastic bottles, glass bottles, and cans, making it convenient for on-the-go consumption.
Rich in Antioxidants: Green tea is known for its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals.
Sustainable Practices: Ito En is committed to sustainable practices. They developed an innovative method to utilize used tea leaves from their beverage production, transforming them into a safe and natural fertilizer that is used by farms across Japan.
Variety of Flavors: Ito En offers a variety of flavors in their ready-to-drink green tea line. Apart from their classic unsweetened green tea, they also offer varieties like Jasmine Green Tea, Green Tea with Matcha, and Lemon Green Tea, among others.
Global Availability: Ito En’s products, including their ready-to-drink green teas, are widely available globally, making them accessible for tea lovers around the world.
Award-Winning: Ito En has been recognized for its outstanding products. In particular, their ready-to-drink green tea has received awards for its high-quality taste and innovative packaging.
How is it allowed to not say it has caffeine on the label?! How’s that legal? I thought it could be a good healthy alternative to water, but I have health reasons to not have caffeine too much. Drat. Guess I gotta find something else.