Energy Drink Added 2008-03-31 16:29:02

Potencia Bebida de Energia Review

Price: $1.99
Available at: La Favorita in Mooresville, NC
Nutrition Information:
Size: 16.0oz. · Serving Size: 8oz. Calories: 110 · Carbs: 27g · Sodium: 25mg

Ratings:
Combined Reviewer Rating:

5.5 out of 10 6.54 out of 10 from 22 reviewers

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Can Text:

Potencia Energy Drink is a primarily metallic can, besides text, the only real decoration is what, at first, appeared to me to be either long turds or bull penes garnished with leaves. In retrospect, either of these ghastly ingredients sounds more appetizing than tamarind, which it turns out the phallic imagery was supposed to represent. Otherwise, the name is in faux "wanted poster" letters that are metalish (as they appear to depict rivets on the letters). The rim of the can (where most drinks carry on about Taurine, Ginseng, and the like) contains the following countries instead: Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia. The following is the motivational text that appears on the can, it also appears in Spanish, but I'm too lazy to type both version, "Potencia brings the flavors we grew up with and love very much. It is mixed with tasteful and energy ingredients to make a fantastic new energy drink beverage." In green, the can front reads, "With our Latin Flavor".

Active Ingredients *Per can, not per serving:
Potencia Energy Drink contains the following mg and/or % of daily allowance per serving: Vitamins C 100%, Taurine 950mg, Caffeine 125mg, Guarana 30mg, Ginseng 50mg, Carnitine 15mg, Ginkgo 10mg, Niacin 15mg. I'd just like to say that this drink weighs in at 250mg of caffeine per can. I wish this drink were palatable, because at 125mg per 8 oz, that's higher than Rockstar Zero Carb, which is unreal. The energy blend is impressive.

Angie's Review: Reviews posted after May 2007 are written by a guest reviewer referred to from this point forward as "The Stig".
Firstly, I have no idea how prolific tamarind is in Central and South America. The can would lead me to believe it's as common an ingredient as saturated fat is in the US. My research indicates that the tree and its fruit are actually more common in Africa and Asia, usually used as a cooking spice, also an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce, and lastly to polish tarnished brass. The fruit is said to have a distinctively sour taste, I love sour, but that's not the flavor I get when drinking Potencia. In Potencia's defense, other popular drinks from Latin America contain other fruits that I don't like, but many Latin Americans love: Papaya, Mango, and Guava, for example. In all honesty, this was my first exposure to Tamarind (also apparently referred to as Tamarindo), so, unlike Latin Americans who may have grown up loving this, I found it unpalatable.

I think I can most accurately describe the taste as the leftover water from stewing radishes and potatoes, mixed with the naturally bitter taste of caffeine.

With more caffeine than $12 worth of Starbucks products, I can't argue with the ingredients. This drink looks solid, and I'd put it on par with any other drink that depends primarily on sugar and caffeine (which I believe should be the active ingredients in all energy drinks) to energize. I was never able to consume an entire Potencia Bebida de Energia. Not only did I not enjoy the taste, it made me feel sick to my stomach after about half a can. Since I never finished a Potencia, I didn't get to experience the profound affects of the copious amounts of caffeine.

At $1.99, it's not bad, particularly if the can is right, and tamarind is something Latin Americans love, and assuming this tastes like tamarind (since I've never otherwise tasted it, except apparently in Worcestershire sauce).

Angie Energy Rating:

6
Angie Taste Rating:

2
Angie Value Rating:

3

Jason's Review:
My experience with Potencia was somewhat drawn out, I consumed about 1/4 of the first one I opened. It tasted horrible, and I didn't want to finish it. While pouring it out, I realized the consistency changed as I reached the bottom. A light came on in my head that lead me to believe that this drink was not supposed to taste like blighted potatoes. So, despite the can not instructing me to shake (gently), I did just that with the next can, slowly turning it upside down/right side up. This changed the flavor, in my opinion, completely. The earthy flavor was almost completely gone, and now the drink tasted more like a lightly fruity ginger ale. I wouldn't drink it every day, but like Guarana flavored soda, I could see how it would grow on me, or be very pleasant to someone who is familiar with tamarind, and enjoys the taste. Interestingly, I actually like the taste more at room temperature than served iced cold.

As the caffeine content listed should indicate, this drink is energizing. It is tops amongst the 16oz. drinks I've had. Unfortunately, even though the taste is ok, it's not particularly to my liking (not to say that someone from Colombia or Mexico wouldn't prefer this to any other flavor on the market).

The price is reasonable, and right in line with other 16oz. drink offerings. As of the time we acquired this drink, it was not widely available, but if the taste is a hit with the Latin American community, I'd expect to see its popularity spread quickly.

Jason Energy Rating:

9
Jason Taste Rating:

5
Jason Value Rating:

User Comments

Gabriela on 2008-04-17 18:15:17 said:
Potencia is a powerful energy drink. I love the taste, which I am very familiar with. some reviews about this product seems to be from people that has something against it. There is nothing worse than Red Bull... This is for Latinos. I love it....

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Disclaimer: The above review is the opinion of the Screaming Energy Drink Reviews editors. Our goal is to help answer questions like, "What does Potencia Bebida de Energia taste like?", "Does it really give you an energy boost?", "Where can I buy Potencia Bebida de Energia?", and "How much does it cost?". We are not employed by the makers of this energy drink, and, therefore cannot answer questions about production, distribution, product returns, reimbursements, or quality control. All nuitrition information and ingredients were copied to the best of our ability from the product packaging, do not rely solely on our site for dietary information.