Gregory Lowe II, an entrepreneur from New York City launched 100 Coconuts in 2018 after he found about the many health benefits that coconut water has. Then he became the first and only Black owner of a coconut water brand.
Coconut water is know for having nutrients that can help increase hydration, lower blood sugar, prevent kidney stones, and support heart health. These health benefits caused Lowe’s interest in coconut water, however, the brands that were available in the market didn’t appeal to his taste.
Then Lowe came up with the idea of creating his own brand of coconut water that would still provide the same health benefits without sacrificing the taste. The entrepreneur found the answer in Asia.
“To source the best-tasting, naturally sweeter coconuts, I had to travel all the way to the Mekong Delta province of the Ben Tre region of Vietnam, through Ho Chi Minh and into the jungles where the best coconuts are found,” Lowe told Travel Noire.
“Lots of research was done before to make this an efficient process. Currently, Ben Tre has more than 200,000 families growing coconuts, accounting for about two-thirds of the total number of households in the province. Therefore, coconut groves can be found everywhere.”
Since starting the comma, it has gotten several investors which include former NFL star Michael Strahan invested in the brand. 100 Lowe says he is fulfilled knowing that he had created a healthy and tasty drink option for the community.
“Diabetes is a real killer in our community, I’ve had many family members pass and that continue to suffer from this disease. It feels great to bring a ‘better-for-you’ product to the market for my people to substitute for high fructose sugar options,”
Link to original The Black Detour