Innovative Cold Brewing Method Yields Pure and Naturally Sweetened Tea with Less Caffeine and Tannins

Chicago, Ill. – (July 18, 2016) – Argo Tea®, the Chicago-based premium tea brand known for its all-natural tea-based signature drinks and premium loose-leaf teas, today announced its newest café menu offering, cold brew tea.

By using an innovative method that differs from traditional hot water extraction, Argo Tea is pioneering a new category of cold brew tea. Cold water allows caffeine and tannins to leach out of the tea leaves at a much slower rate, unlike hot water extraction which “shocks” the leaves. The slow, cold water brewing process virtually eliminates the possibilities of over-steeping the tea into a bitter and astringent brew, resulting in a smoother flavor. Argo Tea adds a hint of pure cane sugar to enhance the natural sweetness of the tea, while retaining under 20 calories or under for a cup of cold brew tea.

To ensure the best quality of cold brew tea, Argo Tea has selected two of the highest grade, premium loose tea leaves, from its trusted partners. They include:

• Ambootia Garden in Northeast India (Darjeeling black tea) – With 150 years of history, tea leaves are grown on steep slopes in the foothills of the Himalayas, often covered by dense fog and heavy rainfall, protecting the leaves
• Maruei Garden in Japan (Gyokuro green tea) – Cultivated nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, shade grown leaves are covered to block out sunlight 20 days before harvesting, increasing amino acids and theanine levels

Argo Tea proudly sources the best ingredients from around the world, including handpicked, loose-leaf teas, to create a variety of innovative signature beverages that blend a perfect balance of smart nutrition and craveable taste.

“Argo Tea is passionate about creating new ways for people to experience tea,” said Arsen Avakian, founder and CEO, Argo Tea. “We are committed to being a sustainable business by working with the best global tea growers, which have a direct impact on the quality of our product.”

Cold Brew is the latest innovation from Argo Tea’s new rotating Mixology Special, and a permanent addition to the café menu board. The new offering is now available in all Argo Tea cafés in three different sizes: 16oz. (10 calories), 20oz. (15 calories) and 24oz. (20 calories).

About Argo Tea

Since brewing its first cup of tea in 2003, Argo Tea has quickly become a household name and leading multi-channel, branded beverage company. Its ready-to-drink teas in Argo Tea’s iconic bottles are now available in over 30,000 outlets nationwide through partnerships with premier retailers that value its brand-defining commitment to quality, sustainability and healthy living. With nearly 50 Argo Tea cafés globally, it has established a brand building marketing platform that serves over 10 million cups of tea annually fueling its innovation. Argo Tea’s menu includes all natural-tea based signature drinks, over thirty varieties of loose-leaf teas, premium coffee, fresh-baked pastries, specialty foods, and a selection of tea ware and accessories.

For more information, please visit www.argotea.com and follow the brand on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/argotea as well as Twitter and Instagram @argotea

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Naturally Electrolyte-Rich Deep Ocean Mineral Water Also More Effective in Promoting Muscle Performance Recovery

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (July 5, 2016) – A recent human hydration study conducted at the University of Arizona revealed that Kona Deep^TM – the newly introduced deep ocean bottled drinking water – “shows promise as an optimal rehydrating source over a carbohydrate-based sports drink and a mountain spring water.” It also found subjects demonstrated significantly improved recovery of lower body muscle performance following rehydration with Kona Deep, compared to the sports drink and mountain spring water. The study, which was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition[1], evaluated the impact of post-exercise hydration with desalinated deep ocean mineral water on exercise performance and rehydration.

Kona Deep Chief Executive Officer Patrick Turpin believes the new study will give people a reason to rethink their water.

“Kona Deep is a great option for those who want their water to work harder, naturally,” said Turpin. “We already knew that Kona Deep delivers an extraordinary taste and hydration experience, but it’s very exciting that a new study quantified deep ocean water’s impressive rehydration benefits.”

Premium bottle water sales in the U.S. have skyrocketed more than 300% over the past five years.[2] But, the introduction of Kona Deep signals the creation of a new category: deep ocean drinking water. Until now, consumers had to choose between spring waters and highly processed, functional purified waters with artificially added electrolytes. With Kona Deep, bottled water drinkers no longer have to choose between purity and performance. The new brand offers both – the purity of a trusted, natural source with nothing artificial, nothing added, and the hydration benefits of electrolytes.

Kona Deep comes from melted glacial water, which sunk to the ocean floor more than 1,000 years ago, creating a deep ocean current that still flows today. This infinitely renewable source absorbs naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals, which are crucial for hydration and body balance, along its journey across the ocean floor and along volcanic fissures.

While deep ocean water is difficult to access, the coast of Kona, Hawaii, provides an ideal location to source and bottle the water because the ocean floor falls sharply to more than 3,000 feet below the surface. At this depth, near-freezing cold and prolonged darkness creates a pure water that is protected from light and surface ocean water. Once brought to the surface, the water is desalinated and bottled at the source with a total dissolved solids (TDS) content of 250, the perfect balance of performance and taste. During the process, nothing is added.

Kona Deep is now available in select retailers in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah, as well as Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide, in 500mL and 1L bottles. Consumers can purchase Kona Deep in-store or online at www.amazon.com. The brand is focusing its initial distribution efforts throughout the natural, grocery and specialty retail channels in the Western United States, and will expand distribution throughout the rest of the country later this year.
For more information, and a full list of retail locations, please visit www.konadeep.com and follow the brand on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

About Kona Deep^TM

Kona Deep is a deeply refreshing and restoring water with a unique balance of naturally occurring deep ocean electrolytes essential to life and health. Kona Deep comes from the ocean waters of Hawaii, over 3,000 feet below the surface where cold, pressure and darkness combine to create an exceptionally high quality water. We utilize a unique method to bring the water to the surface to offer you an extraordinary taste and hydration experience. In the process, we add nothing.

About the University of Arizona Hydration Study

The University of Arizona hydration study evaluated the impact of post-exercise hydration with deep-ocean mineral water on rehydration and exercise performance. The authors hypothesized that deep-ocean mineral water drawn from a depth of 915 m off the Kona, HI coast enhances recovery of hydration and exercise performance following a dehydrating exercise protocol compared to mountain spring water and a carbohydrate-based sports drink. They concluded that deep-ocean mineral water shows promise as an optimal rehydrating source over spring water and/or sports drink. To view the complete study, visit: http://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-016-0129-8

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[1] Keen D.A., Constantopoulos, E., Konhilas, J.P., Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2016, 13:17.

[2] MULO Top 3^rd products based on highest price ounce. Beverage Digest 2015 Fact Book.