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The Best 8 Beverages in the World
Timothy Ferriss, author of the best-selling book, The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (read our interview with him here), shares his eight favorite beverages from around the world.I am a consummate consumer in the literal sense. Beverages, perhaps more than any other indulgence, have fascinated me from my first sip of Pocari Sweat in Japan. From Brazil to Zimbabwe, each locale has its superstar drink, and some are as defining of the culture as the people themselves. Here are my top 8 beverages in the world:
#8. Paulaner Kellerbier (Munich, Germany)
Paulaner is one of the six main breweries in Bavaria, and their incredible kellerbier is the only beer in the world that I love. I generally hate beer, but this is as pure as snow and as smooth as silk. It's a good thing, too, as bottled water is more expensive than brewskies in Munich.
#7. Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee (Tanzania)
Tanzanian peaberry coffee beans, freshly brewed with a simple Krup machine, are near perfect for curing AM grogginess. The only close competitor for early-morning favorites would be Kenya AA coffee, which ups the caffeine but sacrifices some flavor. The former is more elegant, the latter more brute force.
#6. Portuguese Green Wine (Portugal)
Vinho verde, so named for the ripeness and not the color, is sweet and refreshing, perfect for a hot and humid early evening in Lisbon. If you don't like fruity wines -- think Zinfandel -- you might be better off trading green wine for a drier Napa Valley Pinot Noir.
#5. Pocari Sweat (Tokyo, Japan)
Not to be confused with the always amusing Calpis Water, Pocari Sweat is the post-exercise darling of Japan. Clear and less sugar-laden than Gatorade, it rehydrates without causing stomach upset and helps you recover from the oppressive heat in a heartbeat.
#4. Acai (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Acai, an Amazonian berry, can be found on any beach in Rio. Generally served with a dash of guarana syrup for caffeine and a guaranteed sugar rush, it looks like purple frozen yogurt and is delicious with a bit of granola or banana on top. Just keep an ear open for "acai, acai, acaiiiiiiii!" and look for tan men carrying coolers on their hips or heads.
#3. Long Jin Cha Green Tea (Hangzhou, China)
The famous "dragon well" tea of the western lake district is well known for good reason. It is one of the top 10 best-regarded teas in China and delivers a beautiful combination of lightness, mild taste, and immediate alertness.
#2. Cold Mugicha Barley Tea (Tokyo, Japan)
Mugicha is the anti-heat weapon of choice for millions of Japanese and Koreans. It has a strong flavor, but the few sessions it takes to acclimate and appreciate this unique drink is well worth it. It improves circulation and, in so doing, helps decrease body temperature more than simple ice water. A delicious but acquired taste.
#1. Yerba Mate (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Consumed from a gourd, and replete with a straw that strains the leaves for you, yerba mate is the food of the gods. It contains three stimulants (caffeine like coffee, theophylline like green tea, and theobromine like cocoa) and provides an extended increase in mental performance without a subsequent crash. I love "Cruz de Malta" brand, and I credit this beverage with producing my first book. Pura vida!
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German Riesling or real Thai Red Bull? Mexican horchata or Panamanian passionfruit? What is your favorite liquid Epicurean delight?
Timothy Ferriss is author of the #1 Wall Street Journal and NY Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Filed under: Food and Drink
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Marilyn Terrell Jul 26th 2007 10:01AM
Tim might want to try Unertl beer, whose label reads "If you don't drink Unertl, it's your own fault". But you'll have to travel to the Bavarian town of Muhldorf to taste it. P. F. Kluge follows his nose through Germany and Austria and discovers some amazing local brews, and writes about them in the Sept. issue of National Geo. Traveler (coming soon!)
Charlie Jul 26th 2007 11:48AM
Hey Timothy, love the entry. I can't say I agree with you about hating beer, but I love that you put one in there anyway; and Paulaner is great. Yerba Mate sounds like something I could use this morning!
Hope you like this. It involves beer and travel--sort of.
http://windowseat.travelocity.com/2007/07/_green_beer_not_st_patricks_day.html
foren83 Jul 26th 2007 11:06AM
I'll add the Sicilian "Zubbibbo"
Best regards
Enrico
http://www.volcanoetna.com/blog/
Victor Agreda Jr Jul 26th 2007 11:08AM
Something similar to acai may be api, which I drank as a lad (my dad is from Bolivia). it was a thick berry drink you would heat up like hot chocolate. it was also a terrific way to stay regular-- better than coffee, in fact.
Sarah Jul 26th 2007 2:39PM
Irn Bru from Scotland!
Jeff Jul 26th 2007 4:51PM
Hey, I had a drink called "Hawai" when I was in Morocco, and LOVED it, but have been unable to find anywhere on the web to order some. It's a coke product. Ever heard of it or had it?
Sze Jul 26th 2007 9:11PM
I love Pocari Sweat its so good. I buy a case every time i go to the Japanese Store near me.
Ken Jul 26th 2007 10:03PM
Cafe sua da from Vietnam. Strong espresso, condensed sweet milk over ice. A favorite early morning charge
a180 Jul 26th 2007 10:15PM
korean yakult is a yummy treat. they are so small though! much like the new american danactive, yakult is a tiny yogurt drink but in korea it arrives with the milk carrier.
Francisco Jul 26th 2007 10:20PM
I agree wholeheartedly that Mate is a drink of the Gods. The only qualm I have is the use of "pura vida" at the end of that review. "Pura Vida" is a costa rican saying that means pure life, generally used to mean cool. You have about as much a chance of hearing an Argentinian saying that as you do an American calling somebody a "bloody wanker." Something like "Macanudo" or "Che! Esta Buenisimo" would be more culturally fitting. /2cents
a180 Jul 26th 2007 10:17PM
mighty leaf tea has an "orange dulce" jasmine tea that is to die for. it's fragrant, not bitter. perfect for non-tea drinkers like me.
lackner Jul 26th 2007 10:18PM
That's crazy. I've tried three of these (pretty good out of 8!) and they're really gross.
Acai: Very strange, thick tasting, pulpy and gross. Very tart. It tastes like ground up prunes mixed with blackberries or something. Never again.
Pocari Sweat: Picked up a bottle in Honolulu. It's like milky water. It might refresh you after a workout, but when not working out it tastes like chalky tap water. Disgusting.
Yerba Mate: Living in Miami, our many latins drink Yerba Mate frequently. It looks (and tastes) like something you'd find on the forest floor. Icky.
- Tom, miaminights.com
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Rene Jul 27th 2007 6:17PM
Definitely Irn Bru! It's Scotland's unofficial (official) nonalcoholic drink! Seriously, Orange Soda, Cream Soda, and Bubblegum does not sound good, but it is oh, so wonderful. Too bad I live in the States.
Nicolle Jul 27th 2007 12:01AM
How about kombucha? Great stuff that gives you an energy lift and said to heal many things. Another favorite is kefir. Both are cultured beverages.
I would have to agree that Yerba Mate is my favorite drink ever! It just makes you feel so wonderful. Acai is really yummy though.
Thanks for sharing some of the other beverages.
Steven Sullivan Jul 26th 2007 11:45PM
Justin if you like Pocari Sweat a lot when I was in Japan I also enjoyed this beverage, but my favorite was Amino Supli, same style drink, only better.
Mort Jul 26th 2007 11:56PM
Fanta! Very common throughout Europe and beyond. Basically like C-Plus or Crush Orange pop, but not so overly sweet, more like slightly sweetened, carbonated orange juice. Yum!
SKoranga Jul 26th 2007 11:57PM
Justin What about Indian Tea?
No doubt its the best Beverage in India and other south asian countries.
Kiwi Jul 27th 2007 1:00AM
no Lion Red?
joe Jul 27th 2007 1:34AM
pocari sweat is ok, but its not the best asia has to offer... there are tons of great drinks over here.
- Taiwan style milk tea, *in taiwan*
- indian lassi
- hong kong "yen yeung" (coffee + tea + condensed milk)
- thai coconut milk based drinks, w/ fruit/jelly
- vietnam coffee
- and soda in a plastic bag :P