Why Costco's Kirkland Signature Coconut Water Is Tinged Pink

Who knew the saying "pretty in pink" could extend to coconut water? If you weren't aware of the drink's characteristic pink tinge before, a quick glance at Costco's Kirkland Signature Coconut Water is enough to make you see the world through a rose-tinted lens. No, the pink hue is not a dye or purposeful aesthetic adjustment; the coconut water turns pink because of natural antioxidants, a process that's totally out of Costco's control.

Kirkland Signature sources its organic coconuts from Thailand. Because the recipe avoids chemical additives and heavy processing, many of the natural enzymes and antioxidants remain in the bottled coconut water. Therefore, instead of staying pale or transparent, it reacts more naturally to UV radiation. When exposed to light, the hypersensitive and naturally occurring pigment in coconuts oxidizes. This process results in a beautiful color change from clear to light pink. Really, the color transformation is an ode to the organic authenticity of Kirkland's product. With all that goodness, it's no mystery why coconut water is the ultimate hydrating drink, and the coconut water sold at Costco is by far the absolute best Kirkland Signature drink to go-to for hydration.

Forget complicated drinks to make for your Galentine's Day celebration; a bottle of Kirkland Signature Coconut Water comes readymade. But while the perfectly healthy origins of this beloved pink drink make sense scientifically, is all coconut water the same? How extensive is pinkness variation across different brands and bottles? In short, the pink shade — or lack thereof — can vary widely. However, it ultimately boils down to two types of pigments: polyphenols and anthocyanins.

Reactions between antioxidants and enzymes cause polyphenols, while anthocyanins are naturally present. Therefore, the pinkness of coconut water is primarily dictated by storage conditions — in particular, exposure to light — and coconut selection. Young coconuts are especially prone to adopting a rosy tint. The fruit has more anthocyanins at this maturation stage than older coconuts. The earlier the harvesting, the rosier the final result. Similarly, the more exposed bottles are to light and heat, the faster polyphenols will develop and pinken.

And on the flip side? Reasons behind clear coconut water can include ultra freshness (we're talking fruits sliced open right on the beach). However, more realistically, especially in commercial products, heavy processing is the more likely culprit behind lost pink potential. Removing natural enzymes and antioxidants stumps the possibility of any rosy accumulation. It's a shame, really. Health-conscious consumers are catching on, too. The correlation between organic coconut water and pinkness means many individuals are veering towards a splash of color.