This is the OKF Gold Yuzu with Aloe, which was the recipient of the 2021 Gold Award from the Monde Selection International Quality Institute in Brussels. It contains less than 10% yuzu juice.
The beverage presented itself with a translucent pale yellow hue, and within, aloe vera gel floated suspended. It emitted a sweet citrus aroma reminiscent of lemon, deviating from the expected yuzu fragrance. This lemon-like impression, probably due to the use of manuka honey as the main sweetener, persisted throughout the sip, and carried a sweetness akin to bottled lemon juice, while also lacking the usual vibrancy and acidity of fresh lemon juice. A subtle bitterness followed in the finish, attributed to the use of stevia as an artificial sweetener, and lingered on the palate in the aftertaste, accompanied by the soft, chewable texture of the aloe vera gel. O
verall, this beverage left us unimpressed due to its lingering bitterness and inability to capture the typical bright and floral citrus notes that define yuzu’s flavour, leading us to prefer the CAPI Yuzu Fruit Soda.
This OKF Gold Yuzu with Aloe contained 500 mL. It was produced in South Korea and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.