Hot Beverage 2009

Outstanding Hot Beverage 2009: Jayone Foods, Inc., Yuzu Citrus Tea

With the rise in awareness about tea and its health benefits, the tea industry has flourished, challenging companies to make products that truly stand out. Jayone Foods, Inc., has succeeded in creating a tea that is distinctive and complex and sure to be remembered by anyone who takes a sip. Founded in 1999, Jayone Foods is a Korean company based in Paramount, Calif. It boasts an array of soy products, noodles, seasonings, desserts and various grocery items imported from Korea. The products are all-natural and healthy, embodying the company’s motto: “Close to nature, close to life.”

Jayone’s award-winning Yuzu Citrus Tea is certainly “close to nature,” containing honey, organic cane juice and agar, a natural gelatin derived from seaweed. The tea’s most special ingredient is the yuzu, a rare citrus fruit from East Asia with an uncommon taste, best described as a blend of lime, lemon and grapefruit. Jae Kim, spokesperson for Jayone Foods, says its soothing flavor experience impresses everyone tasting the tea. He also notes that in 2008, Jayone’s Herbal Citron Tea was a winner at the World Tea Championship—a testament to the company’s knack for creating outstanding teas.

Unlike conventional teas, Yuzu Citrus does not come in a bag. “It looks like a jam, which you mix with hot or cold water,” explains Kim. “The tea is pasteurized so you can use it as a spread or a dressing,” he adds. Rich in vitamin C, the tea can also function as an herbal remedy for the common cold. Jayone teas come in a plethora of flavors including Ginger, Peach, Date, Yam, Plum and Korean Ginseng. Suggested retail price: $6.69/10.5-ounce. jayone.com.–A. Menglide