51 Comments:

• I live in Caracas, Venezuela, and i can say that avena (or oatmeal) is very popular in this part of the world for being a nutritious and cheap food. Also the oatmeal reduces heart attacks probabilities...
  This specific drink made with avena is very popular because don't have any chunks or flakes, and for that reason, people seems to like it.
  
  I guess this can't be put in the junk food blog... XD

  By  hentai_sama, at 10/28/2005 09:41:00 AM  

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• Actually, I just saw this product at a local big box "super" store in the rural U.S. for 88cents. It was in the oatmeal/cereal aisle.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/28/2005 11:17:00 AM  

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• I'm not gonna lie...I'd probably try it. I like oatmeal and soymilk, and somehow I'm envisioning this as a mix of the two.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/28/2005 10:39:00 PM  

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• products for people too stupid to use a blender and water...

  By  Anonymous, at 11/01/2005 05:59:00 AM  

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• In fact, Alpina is from Colombia

  By  Margarita, at 11/08/2005 04:37:00 AM  

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• Alpina is from Colombia and this stuff is excellent! I lived in Colombia for a number of years and all the Alpina products are wonderful. "Avena" is very common and many make this at home (not relying on a company to make it).

  By  Anonymous, at 12/02/2005 05:29:00 PM  

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• Just came back from Colombia...This stuff is great!! The cinnamon flavor one reminds me of holiday egg nog. The plain kind is a little bland but still pretty good.

  By  Anonymous, at 12/03/2005 02:32:00 AM  

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• Avena Oatmeal is not an invention of Venezuela and Colombia. All around Latin America and the Caribbean is well known that Avena drink is delicious. I'm from Puerto Rico and we prepare it fresh, not from any company. Quaker Oats Company developed a product named "Frescavena" and it is marketed mainly in Puerto Rico. This drink from the oatmeal is very good, because it can lower your cholesterol and in the heat of the summer season is very refreshing. I'm 40 something yrs old and I grew up drinking this excellent beverage, prepared by my mother. It's excellent for lactose intolerant persons, that's the reason that I drink it. My mom has a wonderful recipe, and that's the one I used to make my own. This oatmeal drink is superior than the almond nut milk and is eco-friendly too! So oatmeal drink is not a product exclusive from Colombia or Venezuela, it's in Puerto Rico and all the Caribbean too! Avena is the spanish word for oatmeal. I'm not sponsoring any companies product, because I like it fresh and homemade.

  By  Anonymous, at 3/02/2006 10:06:00 AM  

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• It is true! This drink is known in all Puerto Rico and is so popular in the island, that Quaker Oats company created the "Frescavena" version. The name means fresh oatmeal. Try it is good for your health and taste great!

  By  Anonymous, at 3/02/2006 10:12:00 AM  

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• The Alpina pre-made variety is vastly superior to the Quaker mixes. It tastes like oats, not like vanilla or strawberry. As has been posted before all Alpina products are top quality and many are available in the US.
  
  If you think this common drink is strange you should try some of the other beverages such as masoto "fermented rice drink" from Colombia or some of Colombia's interesting fruit drinks available as pulp in the US such as lulo, tomate de arbol, borojo .... the list goes on and on.

  By  Anonymous, at 4/17/2006 08:13:00 PM  

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• My husband and I are Americans living in northeast China. We've discovered an oatmeal "beverage" under the Quaker brand. It's actually quite nice!

  By  Anonymous, at 6/11/2006 05:03:00 PM  

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• I sure wish they would get this in a store near me. It is exceptionally good!

  By  Anonymous, at 6/25/2006 11:47:00 AM  

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• I live in south florida and the oatmeal drink (avena) is available at any colombian restaurant. Now, I dislike regular quaker oats oatmeal, but I can't get enough of this stuff. It is amazing!

  By  Anonymous, at 7/10/2006 08:56:00 PM  

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• As a kid growing up in Southern California, with all the Mexican influence, I recall drinking an oatmeal drink, made by soaking the oats, seperating and then cooking the liquid and adding vanilla, sugar & other things, I wish I had a recipe. If you liked oatmeal as a food, you would like the drink!

  By  Anonymous, at 8/01/2006 11:14:00 AM  

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• There is a chinese drink called Horlicks, not sure if that is what you are referring to. You can buy the mix and add some evaporated milk and sugar to it and it is delicious! You can also add ice to make it iced Horlicks.
  I came across the little container of Alpina Avena in my grocery store, Trade Fair in Queens. It is very tasty. I keep going back but they have not restocked.

  By  Anonymous, at 9/05/2006 12:28:00 PM  

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• The Alpina brand is Colombian but Avena, my friends, is something we should all taste....it is nutritious and it is supposed to have penty of soluble fiber, which is good for our....well, yes, bowel movements ;-)
  
  I am glad here in Central Florida Avena Alpina is widely available. I wished however, they'd have Venezuela's rice-based Chicha....mmmmhhh, that is why I love Venezuela and Colombia so much ;-)
  
  Enjoy
  J

  By  Javi, at 9/20/2006 08:03:00 AM  

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• i know that avena is from the philippines ok guys and its good sooo

  By  Anonymous, at 10/10/2006 09:52:00 AM  

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• I am from India , I would like to know why oatmeal beverages are becoming popular specially in latin America ? Is there a link , website that I can visit to obtain more information on oat based beverages. ANy suggestions or answers are welcome

  By  Anonymous, at 10/16/2006 12:43:00 AM  

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• I found 2 places that sell this drink in my neighborhood in Astoria, Queens NY. Tropical Colombiana Bakery on Steinway St. & Broadway sells original, cinnamon, and 0% fat versions for $1.40! Trade Fair Supermarket on 30th Ave. & 49th St. sells the original version for 88 cents.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/07/2006 10:20:00 AM  

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• woops, i meant Lactose free, not 0% fat version.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/07/2006 10:23:00 AM  

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• nutrition facts
  ---------------
  calories 197 / fat cal 40
  4.5g fat
  sat fat 3g
  cholesteral 14mg
  total carbohydrates 35g
  dietary fiber 1g
  sugar 23g
  protein 4.6g
  
  calcium 15% phosphorus 15%
  
  **
  
  it's an ok drink very sweet and
  taste isn't so bad.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/19/2006 07:50:00 PM  

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• Also in Suriname, south America, this product is available. The taste is great, i really enjoy this drink. Good for me my 20 months old son likes it too.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/24/2006 09:41:00 AM  

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• I really liked this product. It would be great as a on the go breakfast.

  By  Anonymous, at 1/18/2007 06:44:00 PM  

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• Avena Alpina Oatmeal Drink provides energy and fiber.
  -prevents constipation problems
  -helps keep a good digestion
  -prevents colonic cancer
  -reduces the risk of heart diseases
  -prevents obesity and diabetes

  By  Anonymous, at 1/19/2007 05:03:00 PM  

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• Hi...I went to Ecuador last year and had the Finesse sugar-free kind...but I live in Columbus, Ohio. Anyone have any clue where I could get that?!!

  By  Anonymous, at 2/02/2007 03:45:00 PM  

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• I saw this tonight at a Fiesta grocery store (a Texas chain with locations in Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin & Waco).

  By  Anonymous, at 3/06/2007 09:12:00 PM  

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• I am originally from the Dominican republic and I too grew up drinking "refresco de avena" . my mom made a recipe of it with a hint of lime and evaporated milk from scratch. I also remember "frescavena", but I didnt like it as much as the fresh stuff.

  By  Anonymous, at 3/10/2007 07:18:00 PM  

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• Well, so much for this being some crazy type of drink! LOL! I'm from Ohio, and I recently visited an aquaintance from Columbia. She made this drink from scratch, for herself, since she's pregnant. I tried it and it was incredible. I'm going to be making it myself, as well.

  By  Faith, at 3/27/2007 07:32:00 AM  

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• ok everyone, avena = oatmeal!! that's clear now. Avena has been around before the makers of Quaker and Alpina. The drink has been around also, it's just easier to have a quick drink than eat, all you do is prepare your oatmeal and put it in the blender (good with cinnamon or chocolate powders), always great warm in cold weather. So as for posting on Strange New Products, Avena is not one of them, you're on the internet so look it up before you assume!!

  By  Anonymous, at 3/27/2007 07:38:00 AM  

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• I found this product in the Price Rite grocery market chains. It's cheap and really good. I think it's better than other milk drinks. It had a thick consistincy like a smoothie. My younger brother loves it and it's good for him. i am not fond of milk but this makes it taste wonderful. I rush in the morning when going to school and this usually satifies my morning hunger. It's great for on the go. I tried the Frescavena by Quaker...the vanilla and strawberry varieties. I'm going to try cinnamon next!

  By  427000112, at 4/20/2007 05:26:00 PM  

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• When Steve wrote his blog back in 2005, he was wrong about two things:
  1- Alpina is actually a Colombian company that makes many types of lactose derived products (all of them good, by the way).
  2- The "Avena" (oatmeal drink) is a balanced combination of milk and oatmeal converted to a sort of a smoothie-type drink.
  And Steve, just so you know, if you ever tasted Alpina's oatmeal drink you would love it!!!
  So I hope that when somebody else writes something bad about a product at least have the honesty to taste the stuff beforehand (thats all I ask).
  Thanks.

  By  Juancho, at 5/05/2007 05:59:00 PM  

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• My daughter and I recently visited Colombia and we had some of the avena products,eg. yogurt and oatmeal drink. I think it is fabulous. The yogurt is most delectable and satisfying,it could easily be used with cereal; a wonderful meal replacement.

  By  Anonymous, at 7/24/2007 08:28:00 AM  

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• I recently visited and had the products ie. the oat drink and the yogurt. It is excellent,fabulous. It should be on every shelf in the US.

  By  Anonymous, at 7/24/2007 08:38:00 AM  

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• The drink is actually great.... my husband is not a breakfast person but was ordered by the doctor to eat more oatmeal due to cholosterol and blood pressure problems... and he loves it. We were able to find it in a store in New Jersey. We made the mistake of only buying a six pack, and now a week later we are allout.... our next trip to NJ we will be sure to stock up.

  By  Anonymous, at 8/09/2007 10:36:00 AM  

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• I saw the sugar free ALpina oatmeal drink at a Latin foodstore in North Carolina. It was actually quite delicious and very inexpensive. It's worth a try.

  By  Anonymous, at 9/01/2007 11:40:00 AM  

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• The very thought of oatmeal is enough to make me gag!!! I tried this 2 days ago, my local Publix was giving try outs. I tried the unsweetened one thinking it would be nasty, I was SO wrong! It is lovely! My husband suffers from high chlosterol and is supposed to eat oatmeal (which he doesn't) and I forced him to try the small pot I brought home. Itold him if he drank it each day, I would not for him to have another disgusting fibre additive! He tried it and said it was good. My husband is VERY fussy, so think on people, think on!
  Em, in Orlando,FL,USA

  By  Em., at 9/02/2007 05:02:00 PM  

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• I recently saw avena made in a cooking show as a smoothie. I am hispanic, and when I was a child my
  mother would make an oatmilk drink ,that was delicious as well as nourshing.I live in tampa,fl and
  am 73 years old.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/06/2007 08:12:00 PM  

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• I live in South florida and the local big chain grocery (Publix) is selling this product. It is de-f''king-licious and nutritious. I drink mone every morning before my workout.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/24/2007 04:45:00 PM  

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• I leave in Miami Beach and I LOVE this oatmeal drink! I'm so lucky to be able to find this product in the latin american super market a few blocks from my house :) I have it every morning on my way to work :) :)

  By  Anonymous, at 10/25/2007 05:56:00 AM  

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• does anyone know of an online vendor that sells Avena (Alpina)? I live upstate NY and it's hard to get down to Astoria.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/19/2007 07:05:00 PM  

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• to upstate new york the product is available in upstate new york now depending where you are you can go to Nojaims in Syracuse or just ask your local grocer to stock it they can get this product in the northeast through GOYA they distribute the product for Alpina

  By  Anonymous, at 11/25/2007 02:58:00 PM  

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• I drink it all the time! I'm mexican and grew up drinking homemade avena con canela that my abuela made from scratch. Now, I live in Central Florida and was so excited to see the Alpina Avena in the drink eisle - publix sells it. I tried the nonfat/lowfat version without cinnamon - blech!

  By  Anonymous, at 1/13/2008 04:03:00 PM  

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• I personally would rather drink oatmeal then eat. I am from Colombia and have loved Alpina's oatmeal drink as well as homemade oatmeal drinks. With the number of Colombians living in the US, it's becoming widely available. I live in Florida, they have this avena at every Colombian bakery/restaurant and also some major supermarkets.

  By  Anonymous, at 2/28/2008 05:42:00 PM  

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• the stuff is great and I got it in nyc at a cafe on the east side

  By  Anonymous, at 3/31/2008 11:11:00 AM  

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• This stuff is great - I tried it when I was in Colombia. I'm trying to find it here.

  By  Claire Bear, at 4/22/2008 04:16:00 PM  

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• i live in Virginia and we have it hear. Its delicious. I've blended it with some fruit and its so tasty. I stayed away from it for awhile because the thought of it was disgusting but after tasting it, mmm.

  By  loisey*, at 6/10/2008 10:18:00 AM  

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• Alpina is a Colombian brand, not from Venezuelan. Their Avena is so good!

  By  Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 01:22:00 PM  

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• My husband and I were recently visiting in Leticia, Colombia, South America. It was very hot and Avena drinks were sold ice cold. They were absolutely delicious, refreshing, and I want to find some in the states so my kids can experience them (especially in the summer). I highly recommend them!

  By  Anonymous, at 8/12/2008 12:19:00 PM  

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• Help! Does anyone know where I can purchase Avena Oatmeal Drink in the West Palm Beach, Florida area? The publix in my area never has it and it is the only Milk type beverage my 4 year old will drink?

  By  Anonymous, at 9/10/2008 12:57:00 PM  

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• we have always had oatmeal drinks, hot or cold. it's delicious!

  By  Anonymous, at 9/28/2008 08:43:00 AM  

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• I think we are looking at this thing backwards. Since there are many countries that actually drink avena (oatmeal in spanish) hot or cold (I like both ) this post should be called VERY POPULAR PRODUCTS THAT TO AMERICANS ARE NEW!!!! or something along those lines. Anywho, avena is the most delicious and nutritional (according to my mother)drink, be it hot with milk or milk+chocolate or cold with milk or without milk or a mix of avena and carrots etc.
  
  So just go out, get some oatmeal and ENJOY!!!!

  By  Anonymous, at 10/27/2008 07:31:00 PM  

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