I Am Boymom: 5 TIPS TO BECOMING A COCONUT WATER CONNOISSEUR

With the arrival of warm weather and rising temperatures, many of us are spending a lot more time outside with our kids. For those of us who endure cold winters, it's easy to be so excited about the beautiful weather that we forget to be mindful about staying hydrated. Doing that in a healthy way isn't always easy. So I am excited when my family finds an alternative to sugary drinks that are full of harmful preservatives.

The key is to find something that, in addition to being healthy, also tastes good, right? We started looking into all of the sport drink alternatives and discovered a way to provide the same (or better) hydration from something natural, organic and packed with loads of nutrients!

Coconut water! I know, it's been around awhile. I'm on the late train this time. But seriously, do you know how good coconut water is for you?!? It's all-natural and loaded with super-food powers, so it should be a no-brainer, right? But what I found is that there are sooooo many different coconut waters out on the market that I was confused about which ones were best for my family. Not to mention that some of them don't taste very good, so I had to do some homework to find one that my family would actually drink.

I recently partnered with Harmless Harvest, the first ever Fair-For-Life certified coconut water, to share insights on how to distinguish a premium coconut water from the rest. Here's why I think Harmless Harvest reigns supreme:

It maintains its unique, 'straight from the coconut' flavor thanks to its multi-step micro-filtration process
Has a longer shelf life without extra additives or preservatives
Is a hydrating all-natural alternative to sports drinks and juices
Contains vital nutrients that occur naturally in Harmless Harvest's specific young, green coconuts

The Taste Test Results

When I located the Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water in the refrigerated drink section at my local market, I was surprised to see that the liquid inside was pink! Then I read the label, which explains that coconut water contains varying levels of antioxidants, which can sometimes account for the pink color. Who knew?

Upon tasting Harmless Harvest, I was surprised to find the flavor was actually different and sweeter than other coconut waters I have tasted. It has a "toasted coconut" vibe that made it more flavorful to me. It definitely tastes better cold than it does at room temperature, at least to my. The boys didn't notice a difference one way or another. One of my sons liked it enough to drink the whole bottle and is looking forward to using it as a replacement for Gatorade for his games and sports activities. The other didn't seem overly impressed. He didn't hate it, but he didn't love it either. The Husband liked it a lot and thinks he will be using it in his smoothies!

To help my readers become coconut water connoisseurs and pick the best product available, Harmless Harvest [www.harmlessharvest.com] has shared a few, expert tips:

* INSIDER TIP #1: YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL (AND NUTRITIOUS TOO!)

Age is nothing but a number, right? Not in coconut terms. As coconuts mature, the essential nutrients found in their water begins to seep into the meaty white layer, depleting the coconut water of it's rich contents. Mature coconuts are great for making coconut oil and other coconut products, however, the young coconuts are the ones which have the most nutritious coconut water. Many companies sell you the water from mature coconuts. At Harmless Harvest, they use only young green coconuts which are loaded with the nutritious water that benefits our health.

* INSIDER TIP #2: WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU TASTE

Doesn't all coconut water taste the same? NO! There's no need to add any sweetener to the already delicious flavor of young coconut water. Many companies will add a flavor or sweetener to mask the dull taste of mature coconut water. If there is an acidic taste to the beverage, chances are the preservative citric acid was added. A fresh batch of organic coconut water has a distinct taste, a slightly vanilla-almond flavor. So remember, just say no to that citric taste.

* INSIDER TIP #3: IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE

Fresh coconut water reacts delicately with sunlight and heat, this is why it must be kept cold at all times. Many companies will use extreme heat to kill natural bacteria (which also kills the good enzymes) to extend shelf life. Instead, Harmless Harvest uses their proprietary Multi-Step Micro-Filtration Process to avoid the use of heat or citric acid additives, preserving the optimal flavor, fragrance and nutrients of their critically acclaimed coconut water. So note, if you see a coconut water hanging out in a non-refrigerated aisle, turn back and walk away.

* INSIDER TIP #4: IT'S OKAY TO DRINK PINK

Did you know coconut water can naturally turn pink? Coconut water is clear when bottled but contains a variety of antioxidants which can turn pink once they interact with sunlight. Harmless Harvest could mask the color change— but instead, they fully embrace what naturally occurs in their coconut water. Go ahead and drink pink!

* INSIDER TIP #5: SHARING THE WEALTH

Truly great coconut water is found in rural tropical areas, which are vital to the future of our planet. Harmless Harvest's ecosystem based business focuses not only on delivering the best organic products to consumers, but also cares for the welfare of the farming communities at the source of the product, and uses sustainable farming practices to ensure a better tomorrow.