Last week we travelled to the beautiful Dingle in County Kerry to attend Blas na hÉireann. One of the most respected food and drink awards in Ireland, celebrating the very best products and producers across the island.The awards are all about taste, quality and innovation.
Judged by people who know food
Our products were judged by individuals from a range of industry backgrounds.
From chefs and food experts, to journalists and passionate food lovers — all with a genuine understanding of what makes a great product.
For a small, independent brand like Moocha Kombucha, being recognised by Blas na hÉireann is a huge milestone. It gives us the opportunity to have our kombucha judged alongside products from producers across the country and, most importantly, to have the quality and taste of our products recognised on their own merit.
For an Irish food producer, that carries real weight.
Blas accreditation is also highly regarded by Irish consumers, making it one of the most recognised marks of quality in the Irish food industry.
The blind tasting makes it even more special
One of the things we really value about the Blas na hÉireann awards is the integrity of the judging process.
Before products reach the judges, all packaging and identifying features are removed, meaning the judges don't know the brand, producer or where the product has come from. It's simply about what is in the can.
That makes the Gold for our Cola kombucha particularly special. It wasn't judged because it was Moocha. It was judged on its flavour, quality and overall merits against other products in its category.
An old school twist
Our Cola kombucha was created as an alternative to store bought fizzy drinks for Bronagh's boys. We wanted to capture that nostalgic, old-school cola flavour and give it a Moocha twist by turning it into a fermented drink.
With its warming spices and citrus notes — We use cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and lemon peel to build that classic cola character.
From Tyrone to Dingle
There's something lovely about taking a product made here in Tyrone all the way to Dingle in County Kerry and having it recognised on a national stage.
We're incredibly proud to be building a drink business here in Tyrone and to see Moocha recognised alongside producers from right across Ireland.
For us, awards like Blas aren't just about a medal or a certificate. They're confirmation that the work, experimentation and care that goes into every bottle is being noticed.
So, a huge thank you to the Blas na hÉireann team, the judges and everyone who supports Moocha.
Gold for our Cola. Best in Tyrone for Moocha.
Not a bad trip to Dingle at all.