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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 3 of 3)
Rich Jul 29th 2007 3:34PM
Bosco! Beats 'em all.
J.K. Taps Jul 29th 2007 3:36PM
THE BEST BEVERAGE IN THE WORLD IS:
In a tall glass with crushed ice....1 part orange juice....4 parts club soda.....topped off with pommegranite juice...............
Melissa Jul 29th 2007 3:39PM
Love Pocari Sweat. Brought some back from Japan. Does anybody know how to buy it in the US? I'm in So. Cal. and really want to find a way to buy it.
Tuts Jul 29th 2007 3:49PM
I agree with Kiwi - Lion Red is the perfect copper beer. Yuengling(America's oldest brewery) Traditional Lager is a very close second. I agree with those who DO NOT like Pocari Sweat.
linda Jul 29th 2007 4:16PM
I'll stick to tea with Egri Bika Ver in it.
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james benson Jul 29th 2007 4:10PM
Grolsch beer from Holland; I used to sell the reuseable bottles to a home-brewer friend for more than I paid for the beer!
Grahame M. Jul 29th 2007 4:25PM
Until you have tasted a pint of Guiness from
the Guiness Warehouse in Dublin, Ireland looking
out over their panoramic view of that city you
have no right to comment on which is the best
drink. As a tourist tasting it there for the
very first time I was absolutely amazed.
DeViaNt Jul 29th 2007 5:27PM
I love the Japanese Ramune sodas (pronounced la-moo-nay... suppost to sound like lemonade). They come in a bunch of different flavors like: melon, lychee fruit, peach, plain, blue hawaii, etc. My favorite is melon flavor. They're sold in most oriental stores and the best part is the little marble you have to shove into the bottle so you can drink it and listen to it clack around in the glass.
In regards to post number 41, I'm almost certain that they sell it on a website called J-box.com check it out, they sell everything japanese.
I also love Iron Beer, a cuban soda that tastes like a mix of Dr Pepper & Creme Soda. And Champagne Kola which is Jamaican soda that taste similar to creme soda.
Valerie Jul 29th 2007 5:30PM
My favorite is orangerale. This is American. Top off your orange juice with some gingerale - either reg. or diet, to thin it and add some fizz.
VBell Jul 29th 2007 5:49PM
Jeff.....Coca Cola in Atlanta has the drink you are looking for........
Vootie Jul 29th 2007 6:14PM
First of all, if you "hate" beer, you have no right to bother us with your opinions of beer. Secondly, Pilsner Urquell is the finest tasting beer in the world, as exemplified by their countless gold medals in taste testings everywhere.
Lisa Jul 29th 2007 6:40PM
www.bombillagourd.com
great, new yerba mate beverage with 5 different flavors!!
Mike Jul 29th 2007 7:51PM
Your anti-beer taste limits you as any sort of source of info on good drinks. Readers who like beer should try Big Rock Brewery's Warthog ale (Alberta Canada), Yeungling's Porter (NY, USA), and never forget Guinness (Dublin Eire) If you're into whiskeys, aninteresting one to try is Kentucky Tavern, a pot distilled single malt bourbon.
heather Jul 30th 2007 12:29AM
The only one I've tried is Acai. It tastes like a cross between berries & chocolate with (unfortunately) the bitter taste of dirt mixed in...in other words needs to be diluted until you get used to the flavor...it does grow on you over time.
To make it more palatable, blend acai concentrate with frozen or fresh yogurt. Add bananas if this doesn't do the trick. Or if you're lazy go to jamba juice and get their version but it will cost you! If you take the time to read up on this amazing berry it's worth the effort, it's known as one of the top superfoods in the world :)
cebukitty Jul 31st 2007 2:56PM
i noticed that you didn't include civet coffee. its supposed to be very expensive but is purported to be the best tasting coffee in the world :) has anyone tried it? is it worth the moolah?
Cindy Dec 8th 2010 3:32AM
Yeah, I agree with you. Civet coffee must be included in the list.
Cindy http://www.bloomingteasite.com
andrea Aug 6th 2007 3:15AM
I'd add
- horchata de chufas from Valencia, Spain. Tiger nuts, sugar, water make a thoroughly refreshing drink. Further south I've also found horchata de almendras, made with almonds.
- chai masala. The warm notes of spice and the cooler taste of tea and milk make this a lovely drink. Very very different from Typhoo or PG Tips!
- *fresh* pineapple juice. Only one place to have this - the Juice Centre at the entrance to the souk on the Muttrah Corniche, Muscat, Oman. You will not believe it doesn't have cream in it!
As for peaberry coffee, I've been an addict for 20 years since I discovered it. Agree with you wholeheartedly on that!
Essayra Aug 20th 2007 2:11PM
Só pra corrigir o AÇAI é da cidade de Belém no estado do Para e não do Rio de Janeiro