Friday, January 30, 2009

Hawaiian Punch







Hawaiian Punch is a drink that is popular among children. It has a distinctive red color and is made from seven different fruity flavors. Hawaiian Punch is a bit controversial, as it actually contains only 5 percent fruit juice. "Hawaiian Punch" is a brand name; the drink is now owned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, a drink conglomerate.


History


Hawaiian Punch was originally intended to be one of several ice cream toppings. The original version was invented in 1934 in California by Leo, Yates and Harrison. The original Hawaiian Punch was a thick concentrate. As the company developed and changed hands, it answered consumer demand--the public wasn't using the product as an ice-cream topping, but mixing it with water and consuming it as a fruity beverage. Hawaiian Punch is now sold in several flavors and customers are no longer required to purchase it in a concentrate or powder form.


Warning


Hawaiian Punch only contains 5 percent fruit juice. While the drink appeals to children, many parents are concerned about its nutritional value. People who are sensitive to red dye should avoid Hawaiian Punch's main red flavor.








Types


Hawaiian Punch comes in multiple flavors and sizes. Flavors include Bodacious Berry, Green Berry Rush, Wild Purple Smash and Tropical Vibe. Consumers can purchase Hawaiian Punch in small juice boxes or in 20-oz. bottles (these contain 2-1/2 servings each).


Identification


Hawaiian Punch features Punchy, its mascot, on all packaging. Punchy is a red-haired male cartoon figure wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt, and he "packs a punch." This mascot has remained relatively unchanged and is the key to the brand's recognition. Hawaiian Punch labels typically feature the fruits in the beverage.


Benefits


Drinking Hawaiian Punch is advisable for people who are looking for a fruity drink that is not alcoholic. One can drink a Hawaiian Punch among company drinking alcohol without feeling odd or left out. For those who do consume alcoholic beverages, Hawaiian Punch can be mixed with liquor. Hawaiian Punch is also a beverage that is not exclusively for kids or adults, and can thus be easily shared in a household. Due to its large sugar content, consumers looking for a sugar rush or wanting to satisfy a sweet tooth should consider Hawaiian Punch.

Tags: Hawaiian Punch, drink that, fruit juice, percent fruit, percent fruit juice