Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a rock star in the natural health community. It’s being touted as the latest and the greatest, but it’s been working its medicinal magic for thousands of years. Hippocrates himself, the Father of Western Medicine, used it to fight infections in Ancient Greece. In the East, the Chinese used it internally to aid in digestion and topically to disinfect insect and snake bites and soothe sunburns. Today, we look to it to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, promote heart and digestive health, balance the pH in our bodies, calm an upset stomach and heal a sore throat. It’s a great aid in losing weight, because it increases metabolism and keeps us feeling full so that we eat less frequently.
So why isn’t everyone drinking ACV every day? Well, there are the people who haven’t yet gotten the memo. Then there are the people who have tried it and cannot endure the assault on the palate perpetrated by its terribly sour taste. The problem is that the source of the sour taste is the source of all the benefits. Raw unfiltered ACV contains wispy strands known as the “Mother of Vinegar.” The strands are natural protein enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria (probiotics and prebiotics) that give ACV its high nutritional value—and its taste. Allison and Stephan Ellsworth have solved that problem for us with their Mother Beverage.
Allison discovered ACV while working for an oil and gas company. She researched titles and mineral rights and negotiated deals with property owners. The constant travel was taking its toll on her health and her weight. Dissatisfied with the answers she received from doctors, she put her research skills to use and found that drinking a bottle of ACV a day would improve her heath and help her lose weight. She tried it. She loved the results. But there was still the matter of the taste, though she bit that bullet every morning.
Her husband, Stephen, was also very health conscious. He was impressed with the Allison’s results, but just couldn’t get past the taste. So Allison experimented with ways to make it more palatable, infusing it with fruits, berries and herbs to give the ACV a great-tasting flavor while retaining the health benefits. She eventually hit on a delicious, refreshing, lightly carbonated drink with organic, all-natural ingredients: Mother Beverage! There are fewer than 15 calories and 2 to 4 grams of sugar per bottle. Stevia, the all-natural sweetener, is the primary ingredient in balancing out the acidic taste of the ACV.
The beverage was wildly successful. First, family and friends bought it. Then Allison and Stephan branched out to the local farmer markets. It wasn’t long before Fate stepped in—fate in the guise of a recession. At the end of 2015, the oil and gas industry was in trouble. Stephen worked for the same company as Allison, and they quit their jobs and put all their time, talents and money into Mother Beverage. Stephan had worked in administration, so his expertise in developing budgets, creating and analyzing reports and his natural talent for problem solving provided a solid foundation for the company.
They received a very nice boost when they won the BevNET Showdown for “Best New Beverage Winter 2016.”
Mother Beverage comes in very pleasing flavors: Strawberry Limeade; Lime Ginger; Blueberry Sage; Raspberry Rose; Pineapple Tumeric (which also includes mango); and Blood Orange (which includes regular oranges and raspberries).
In the summer, make Popsicles. Take your favorite flavor, add honey to sweeten it, mash up some fruit to add a “designer” texture. Pour the mix into Popsicle molds or into small Dixie cups, adding a straw or stick for a handle and freeze.
*Update: Mother Beverage is now called Poppi.