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You’d have to be blind not to notice Hong Kong’s trending coconut water craze. They’re even at 7-Eleven! Hell, we might even have more varieties than iced tea (just kidding, that would be nuts, indeed).
Whether it will ever stand up against our mass consumption of tea – as the Chinese proverb says, it’s better to go three days without food than one day without the brown nectar (don’t try that at home) – there’s no shortage of Hongkongers who are becoming totally dependent on coconut water.
Here, we introduce you to five types of Hongkongers who probably have more coconut water than blood running in their veins.
#1 The gym bunny
Not only does it taste like Mother Nature’s sweet kiss, coconut water is also super healthy, being 99 percent fat free, low in sugar, crazy hydrating, and full of electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. It’s therefore the perfect drink for Hong Kong’s educated gym bunnies, smart enough to see past the brash claims and colours of regular sports drinks. Coconut water quickly replaces hydration lost during a vigorous workout, while the restorative electrolytes, magnesium and phosphorus allow your body to recover more quickly, without the need to pump it full of chemicals.
#2 The long-haul traveller
Much to your pleasure or dismay, Hong Kong is full of pilots. And what do pilots do even more than strut around on the ground looking dashing/dumb? Fly, of course! If you’ve ever had a drink (or four) on an aeroplane, you might have noticed the booze hits you slightly harder than usual. This is because the lack of humidity in the cabin massively dehydrates you, leaving your feeble, water-starved body more susceptible to alcohol and generally feeling rank. With or without booze, pilots, flight attendants and frequent fliers, therefore, often suffer from dehydration, making coconut water the ultimate travel buddy. And it’ll make your skin look happier too!
#3 The big boozer
Speaking of booze, an experienced session drinker knows only too well the need to replenish hydration and electrolytes after a heavy night on the town. (We’re told that) traditionally these reckless folk reach for sugary sports drinks or, even worse, cola the morning after. If all else fails, hair of the dog will be pursued in desperation. However, Hong Kong’s wisest drinkers – you know, the ones who have already finished high school – are increasingly making a blurry beeline for coconut water, knowing that it contains five essential electrolytes and no added sugar. It’s the quickest way to feeling good enough to tumble off the wagon once again.
#4 The busy and overworked with little time to be healthy
Hello, all of Hong Kong! Working long hours and juggling multiple tasks kind of comes with the territory of our overachieving city, resulting in unhealthy lifestyles, high stress levels and blood pressure to match. Many finding themselves in this situation are turning to coconut water for help, as the drink’s high level of potassium – more than a banana – helps regulate metabolism and blood pressure, keeping you functioning at your best for longer. It’s also a great choice for those who have little time to workout but who still care about what they put in their body.
#5 Absolutely anyone suffering through the Hong Kong summer
If you’ve got this far, you’ll already know that coconut water is super hydrating, while the electrolytes it contains replace the salts and sugars we lose when we sweat. Yes, in other parts of the world, women might perspire and ladies might even sparkle, but in a Hong Kong summer, everyone SWEATS. Coconut water can’t stop your forehead flowing like a river, but it can stop you keeling over in a wilted slump because of it.
But before you go and clear 7-Eleven shelves of all the coconut water you can find, note that, just like tea, not all coconut water is created equal. Unlike most common coconut water brands at 7-Eleven, INVO does not freeze or heat their coconut water during the packaging process, which results in a loss of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients along the way. It needs to be refrigerated to stay fresh, whereas other coconut waters have the option of being stored at room temperature.
INVO, however – which has already taken off in the US and the UK, and was voted within the “Best Fitness Products” of 2014 by renowned Vegan Health & Fitness magazine – uses High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology, “expertly cold-pressing” the drink to secure the original raw properties. (If you don’t know about the health benefits of cold pressed juices yet, talk to your nearest yogi or consult Dr. Google.)
INVO coconut water is indeed so fresh that it’s liable to turn a blushing shade of pink. This only occurs with fresh, rather than from concentrate, coconut water, and proves that the bottle contains the same high quality nutrients as were cracked right out of the shell.
INVO is available in select 7-Eleven stores in two flavours, Pure and Tropical, the latter of which contains a healthy splash of fresh pineapple, passion fruit and mango juice.
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