Full disclosure: This product was provided to me free of charge. However, this is not a paid review; the opinions expressed are my own.
The kind folks who make GoGo Organic Pear Juice asked me if I wanted to review their product. I don’t conduct many product reviews, but since it fit into my gfe approach, I readily agreed. Just doing a quick read of the label, I could see it had a lot of “pluses.” But, I took one look at the 32-ounce bottle and thought, oh, boy, that won’t last long. I was wrong. Here’s why. The folks at GoGo advise consumers that one can drink their juice “as is” or dilute with 50% water (or more) to reduce the sugar content. (And, note that the sugar referenced is natural sugar, not added sugar.) So each time I used the pear juice, I only needed to use a small amount. I was amazed how long this bottle of juice lasted for me. Don’t misunderstand me though. This is not a “from concentrate” product as so many juices are these days. Read on.
From the bottle label:
Again, “GoGo Juice is a NOT from concentrate, certified organic juice drink. We take our organic fruit, peel them, remove the seeds and the cores, and juice them.
GoGo’s products are made similarly to the way you would at home. We don’t add sugar, coloring, preservatives, pressing or filtering chemicals (no fossilized algae!).
Our juices are taken from only fully ripe pears. You can drink our juice as is, or reduce the sugar content by diluting it with 50% water, or more.
GoGo’s products are (and always will be) suitable for families on special diets such as Gluten Free/Casein Free, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and many others.”
Let’s emphasize and expound upon that last feature again by sharing the other information on the label under “Good Information to Know”:
Ripe Pears.
Do you know how to tell if a pear is ripe? Use the “thumb” method. If the flesh just below the point where the stalk joins the fruit yields to even gently pressure, it’s time to eat your pear.
No Added Sugars.
Our juice only contains natural sugars, but it doesn’t hurt to reduce it further. The juice will still taste great, and diluting also means you’ll have more juice for your money. A double win!
Specific Carbohydrate Diet.
We know how hard it can be to find foods that suit a restrictive diet so we created our company and our juices to help those on SCD.
Low Oxalate Diet.
Typically, pears would be considered “Medium” for a low oxalate diet, but as we peel the pears, the oxalate level is reduced, making it rated “Low”.
Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF)
Yup—we’re GFCF, corn free and soy free too.
Low in Salicylates
Peeled pears have negligible amounts of salicylate. This also complies with Feingold Diet recommendations.
Oh, and GoGo pear juice also contains fiber, 4 grams per serving (before dilution). Most juices don’t include any fiber these days.
Reading how this juice is suitable for a number of different special diets, you might have wondered if the founder of GoGo pear juice has a personal interest in such diets. Yes, she does. You can read how Betty Chen came to create GoGo organic pear juice here.
When I first received my jug of GoGo pear juice, I used some to make a holiday punch for my support group’s December meeting. I called it Pomtridge in a Pear Tree, because the main ingredients were—obviously—pear juice and pomegranate juice. This punch was the lovely golden color of a partridge, and the taste was just as delicious as you might imagine with those fruit flavors. Since we’re well past the 2010 holiday season though, I’ll have to save that recipe for much later this year. I sure don’t want to rush that or even think about it right now. Wendy (Celiacs in the House) just pointed out on Monday that there were 48 days until spring. That means there are only 46 days left now—woohoo! I’m ready for spring, too (and there are buds on my snowdrops already!) but let’s not rush the year too much. You can wait for the punch recipe until next holiday season, right?
We drank some of the pear juice slightly diluted, as juice. It had a fresh clean taste, with no artificial overtones or aftertastes like some pear and apple juices have. However, I used most of the pear juice to make green smoothies. My very first green smoothie was a recipe from Tom Malterre and Ali Segersten’s The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. As I’ve shared before, I started making that great smoothie and have never looked back. The key to the success of that green smoothie—especially for a newbie like myself at the time—was the fruit, namely apples and pears. Using GoGo organic pear juice is an easy way to get the delicious pear flavor without having to have a supply of pears on hand. Along those lines, here’s one recipe below that I made and enjoyed.
Oh, cost? GoGo Organic Pear Juice sells for $4.99 for a 32-ounce container. That’s a reasonable price considering that the juice can be diluted and that it’s healthy, organic juice that offers the lovely taste and nutrition of pears and nothing else.
Pear-ific Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 ripe apple, peeled and cored
- 1 tbsp coconut manna (or coconut cream)
- 2 large leaves of kale (with or without stalks)
- 1 handful of shredded green cabbage (about a cup)
- 1 cup pear juice
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk
- Several ice cubes, if desired
Instructions
- Add ingredients to blender or Vitamix/Blendtec in approximate order shown. Mainly, it’s important to add solid ingredients to your blender before liquid ingredients so you don’t have any messy splashing action. Blend a minute or two until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Notes
A very ripe pear and ½ cup of water may be substituted for the pear juice. I don’t always add ice to my smoothies. Most of my ingredients are usually cold at the start, but if yours are not and/or you prefer your smoothies to be icy cold, then add ice cubes.
I had leftover coconut milk that I had stored in a glass jar, so as you can see I poured my smoothie right into that instead of dirtying another glass, which reminded me of my friend, Heather (Heather Eats Almond Butter), and her love of treats in jars. There’s no need for a fancy glass for a quick morning smoothie. Enjoy this smoothie and go go check out GoGo Organic Pear Juice! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
Lexie @ Lexie'a Kitchen says
Shirley … haven’t even tried this product but I am hooked! It so so wonderful that there are food and beverage producers out there who are aware of and market to people on special diets. Just the mentions of Feingold, SCD, and low-oxalate assure me that Betty knows her stuff. I am so glad you did this review. This would be a great product for kiddies on some of the autism diets … diluted of course. And to use as a sweetener in baking! My guy just has a real hard time with excess sugar and like the tip to dilute. Thanks for the introduction to this product. I will be looking for it when I get back from vaca!
Shirley says
Hey Lexie–So glad you appreciate the review! I agree that Betty and GoGo juice are providing a really helpful product to so many. The first thing I thought of making with this was a chocolate pear cake. One often finds that flourless creation as a gluten-free option in restaurants. 🙂 Should have mentioned that in my post. Might update it. Thanks for adding your endorsement for using this as sweetener in products. I’ve found that liquids in general can take the place of dairy milk, so this pear juice could be used to replace both perhaps—love that idea! 🙂 I’m so enjoying all your posts from the Big Island over at Lexie’s Kitchen … those are not to be missed!
xo,
Shirley
InTolerantChef says
I love pears and just wish I could get that product over here.
Shirley says
Hi InTolerant Chef–Hopefully, as GoGo Juice expands, it will be offered in your area or another company in your part of the world will recognize the need and offer organic pear juice. I really love this product. 🙂
Shirley
Maggie says
You’re so cute Shirley – Go go…haha! I would LOVE to try pear juice. We got some cider at the farmer’s market that had apples and pear and it was lovely. I will definitely look for this brand – love everything about them!
Shirley says
Hi Maggie–Thank you! Now do you remember go go boots? I had some white ones to go with my psychadelic dress. 😉 Oh, that cider sounds lovely indeed. I’ve only discovered the joy of cider in the last few years. It’s wonderful. Hope you go go find some GoGo juice! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Tia says
Actual real juice. What a nice refreshing change. Even though my brain tells me to just make it myself, it is nice to know that it is there if needed. By time or necessity. A great review, Shirley. The name makes me think of s song that Max loves called, Go, Go, Go… Go for G. I can’t get it out of my head, now. 😉
xoxo,
Tia
Shirley says
Hi Tia–Yes, I know … the fact that this was real juice convinced me I needed to review it. 🙂 While I make juice from time to time, pear juice is not one I usually make, but I love the natural sweetness it offers. Max’s song sounds adorable. Now I’m suddenly thinking of Go Go Gadget! Remember him?
Thanks, dear! xoxo,
Shirley
Alisa Fleming says
I’ve never seen pear juice in stores, but it sounds quite tasty! We usually dilute the juice too, but I love diluting it with half sparkling mineral water for a bubbly drink. I’ll have to keep an eye out for this for summer!
Shirley says
Hi Alisa–Apparently there’s “baby” pear juice available and I understand Knudsen makes a pear juice, but the latter is not available in my basic store. I’m not normally a fan of mineral water, but it sounds nice mixed with juice. Dilution works well for adjusting the sugar content to one’s needs and making this product last so much longer. Hope you find some GoGo juice!
Hugs,
Shirley
Kim - Cook It Allergy Free says
I have not seen this yet, but I am totally hooked now! I just know how much my kids would love this!! And I actually think that the price is cheap for 32 ounces!! I wonder if I can order this online? What a great review, Shirley! Thanks for sharing!! 😉
Shirley says
Hey Kim–Thanks so much! I appreciate your perspective on the price, too. If you looked at GoGo Juice’s site, you already saw that you can buy the juice online. 🙂 I’ll update the post to include that info.
Enjoy! xoxo,
Shirley
Diane-thewholegang says
That smoothie looks and sounds really good. I never thought about pear juice before.
Shirley says
Hey Diane–Green smoothies are so good, aren’t they? 😉 Adding this organic pear juice allows me to get in more kale, cabbage, or whatever without making my smoothie taste too green … if you know what I mean. LOL
Shirley
Linda says
I like to put pear in green smoothies, so I’m sure pear juice is great too. I have always diluted juice for me and for the kids when they were little. We actually don’t drink much juice, but we do like it in smoothies. This sounds like a great option. Thanks for the review.
Shirley says
Hi Linda–Yep, pear juice would be an easy swap for an actual pear in your smoothies. I’m not a juice drinker either (Mr. GFE is the OJ man in our house), but I do like adding some to my smoothies to help make the tons of greens I add just tasty enough. With the dilution factor, it doesn’t take much of this pear juice in one’s smoothie. This one had a pear “emphasis” so I used more than I normally do. 😉 Glad you appreciate the review. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Hugs,
Shirley
Zoe says
This sounds like an excellent product! Would you believe me if I told you that I gave a little skip for joy when I read that it’s okay for SCD-ers? We don’t strictly follow SCD anymore but we still try to incorporate the philosophy of it into our diet in addition with everything else we’ve learned and are learning, so it’s great to see a fruit juice that doesn’t have added sugar and isn’t from concentrate either. Thanks so much for reviewing this, Shirley!
Shirley says
Hi Zoe–Yes, I would believe you! I think it’s pretty amazing and commendable to see a product developed to meet all these special needs. 🙂 There’s no fear or guilt associated with this pear juice. 😉 Thanks so much for the feedback, Zoe. I’m happy to spread the word on GoGo juice. 🙂
Shirley
Kay Guest says
Hey Shirley! I left my comment over on your main page…and I love that you said GO GO over to my out and about. Yay! Someone as corny as I am!!
Now… if I just had a blender… 🙂 Kay
Shirley says
Key–Dear, you need a blender to expand your horizons now that you are becoming so proficient in the kitchen. 🙂 Put it on your wish list and tell folks you know. Someone is probably trying to decide what’s the perfect gift to give you for your birthday. Or someone may have one that they have never used and want to give it to a deserving person—you! 😉
Hugs,
Shirley
Alta says
Your smoothie sounds great, and so does this juice. I love pears, and this juice sounds like a lovely way to sweeten a lot of things.
Shirley says
Hey Alta–Thanks! 🙂 Yes, pear juice is really lovely. I only discovered the magical sweetness of pears a few years ago and now enjoy pears or pear juice as great natural sweeteners. GoGo is a wonderful product.
Shirley
nicola @ gfreemom says
I’m with everyone else. It really does look good I’ll definitely look out for it. Love the smoothie recipe. Thanks Shirley!
Shirley says
Hi Nicola– 🙂 This juice is lovely. Hope you find some to use in a great d-tox smoothie! 😉
xo,
Shirley