17/01/2024
Nostalgia meets appreciation! A journey from 'Yess' to the star product 'Go Fresh' by Acacia Foods and beverage company aka Yess Soft Drinks. Unbiased review, genuine love. 🍹[ https://www.acaciafood.co/menu/gofresh-concentrate/13/ ]
Many years ago, like many people in Zambia, I used to drink the thick and juicy beverage called "Yess." It was about 300ml, if not 500ml - someone to correct me there. There were many flavours; well, I think about three, but I don't remember any other apart from pineapple. If I am not experiencing a Mandela effect, then it was even the one that made me realise I am deathly allergic to pineapples. For years, I loved it but couldn't notice that every time I drank pineapple by-products, I would get an allergic reaction. The saving grace to a bad situation was that because it was mostly pineapple by-product and not a pineapple in its truest form, the reaction would wear off not too long after. Still, a lot of discomfort, but I lived, clearly.
Anyway, that is a story for another day, and 'Yes Drink' is not even why I am here because it fell out of favour from a lot of people's radar. After all, it started having an unavoidable aftertaste OR (a huge 'or') maybe we all grew up and started noticing what we don't like as adults that can afford better - giggles - anyway.
I hope I am not jinxing it or turning 'Acacia Food and Beverage Company' into a complaisant establishment. But here goes, an honourable mention - drum roll - to Acacia Food & Beverage's star product - In my opinion - their, 'Go Fresh' 1.5L concentrated juice.
I was introduced to this brand, I think from my mother's house right after I came back from being a mini expat in Mozambique and as usual avoided the pineapple flavour. My go-to juice at the time must have been 'Just' granadilla, but something changed for me in it, and I did not like that. It was like they put less granadilla. It still did not have an after-taste, but it sure tasted "changed." And I found that piece of fake (because most juice concentrated isn't 100% only juice and that's ok) trueness in Go Fresh. I had very little hope for its consistency - like I do with a lot of Zambian companies - but planned to enjoy the moment while it remained the right taste profile for me. Fast forward about 5 years or so, I continue to buy it for my own house, I like them in the order of 1.)🍑(Don't, not here) Peach, 2.) Fruit Cocktail🍹 and lastly, 3.) Orange🍊 and I super enjoy them. I was disappointed last year (I mean 2022) when I couldn't find it in Shoprite - because it is our leading retailer chain - but in 2023, It is available there. I guess they finally found a perfect Key Account Manager for the modern trade vision and deal with Shoprite. I pivoted, sorry, I am trolling. So after all these years of only drinking 'Go Fresh' juice when I am at home, I think it is time it gets the mention it deserves from me.
It has been just right for me, and I encourage them to stay strict to being fair quality (packaging-wise) & affordable. Because you have to either be cheap, of great quality, or quick to execute to get ahead in this industry. And quick? They are not! The product is quality, the offering is affordable, and that is perhaps why the package sometimes comes off as though it will be a bad product to try or will have an after-taste. Low cost on packaging ensures somewhat lesser prices of the product on the shelf. But you know what? I could be wrong.
So, once more salute to 'Acacia Foods' for 'Go Fresh,' and a little goes a long way. I think I dilute 500ml to what could be between 50ml - 100ml of Go Fresh Concentrate, only because that's how I like my juice, and that's my business. But thank you for a good product when Mazoe also seems to have started just putting more orange peels than actual orange edible fruit - again, to me! And I know I am going to get a lot of heat from Mazoe fanboys and girls, and I don't care. But if there is someone who dislikes (not 'hate') Mazoe here, it's me. Then there is someone out there who will love 'Go Fresh.'
'Acacia Foods', now that you got an unsolicited and unsponsored review from me, do me one favour. Do not Fork 🍴this up.
Continue having a great week, everyone.
Bye,
O
