Cricket Cola

Cricket Natural Beverages are soda made with a green tea base. According to the manufacturer, every bottle contains two cups of green tea, and it is sweetened with cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup. They also refrain from phosphoric acid, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. Although not widely available, the manufactured flavors include cola in both sugar- and Splenda-sweetened varieties, Pomegranate Raspberry, Mandarin Orange, and White Peach. Cricket Natural Beverages was created by John and Mary Heron of Potomac, Maryland.

Ingredients

Kola nut extract, green tea concentrate, vanilla extract, primarily sweetened with cane sugar. The Pomegranate Raspberry, Mandarin, and White Peach are flavored with all natural extracts.

Health claims

Cricket Cola's website^[1] claims "Lots of doctors and writers and researchers think Cricket's ingredients may:"

• Reduce risk of heart disease & stroke
• Reduce blood pressure
• Prevent cancer and arthritis
• Aid in weight loss
• Reduce cavities, gingivitis, & bad breath
• Strengthen bones
• Reduce cholesterol
• Enhance immune system
• Improve digestion
• Improve memory, calm, relax, & create a sense of well-being

Packaging

Cricket is available only in 12 oz retro glass bottles. It available in single bottles, 4-packs or by the case (24 bottles).

Sale to Meridian

In late 2008, Cricket was acquired by Meridian Beverage Company, a Chicago based healthy beverage company, for an undisclosed amount of Meridian Stock. Co-founder Mary Heron became senior vice president of sales and marketing for Meridian as part of the acquisition.^[2]

As of March 2010 Meridian does not list Cricket on their website as one of their product lines. It is unclear through media outlets if the product will be relaunched by Meridian. Since its sale, Cricket has been increasingly difficult to find at Whole Foods Market and Potbelly Sandwich Works, two of Cricket's main retail chains.

See also

• Cola

References