EPICONE

EPICONE was founded by Vahé Barsamian. The company's account of its name breaks it into four parts: EPIC, for the Epicurean heart that treats food, love and life as a purpose-driven adventure; CONE, a tribute to the pinecone, one of its ingredients, which crowns the Thyrsus that serves as the brand's core symbol and references the 'third eye'; ONE, for unity and harmony and a belief in one life and one shared planet; and ICON, a symbol standing for the mission to redefine food, love and life.^[1]

EPICONE's visual identity rests on the Thyrsus, surmounted by a pinecone, which the producer presents as standing for nature and human enlightenment.^[2]

Label declarations. Both labels describe the drinks as 100% natural, low calorie, vegan, gluten free and free of preservatives; the AIR label adds lightly sparkling. Per 100 mL, AIR declares 45.1 kJ / 10.6 kcal, less than 0.2 g fat (of which less than 0.1 g saturates), 2.7 g carbohydrate (of which 2.2 g sugars), less than 0.3 g fiber, less than 0.2 g protein and less than 0.01 g salt. FIRE declares 66.4 kJ / 15.6 kcal, less than 0.2 g fat (of which less than 0.1 g saturates), 3.9 g carbohydrate (of which 2.4 g sugars), less than 0.3 g fiber, less than 0.2 g protein and less than 0.02 g salt.

Both EPICONE blends are built the same way: a fermented green tea base, extended with fruit and vegetable juices from concentrate, botanical extracts and distillates, and wood extract.

Kombucha fermentation of green tea. The shared base is a fermented green tea made with water, kombucha culture, green tea and raw cane sugar. It appears in both bottlings.

• EPICONE AIR — fermented green tea alongside verjus and white grape juice from concentrate
• EPICONE FIRE — fermented green tea alongside red grape, red beet and blackcurrant juices from concentrate

Botanical distillates. Distilled botanical components differ by bottling and carry the aromatic accents of each blend.

• EPICONE AIR — cucumber distillate
• EPICONE FIRE — liquorice distillate and cardamom distillate

Floral extract. Elderflower extract is common to both blends.

Carbonation. EPICONE AIR's ingredient list includes carbon dioxide, consistent with its lightly sparkling format. Natural aromas are declared in both blends.

EPICONE AIR. The producer describes a complex profile built on subtle umami layers of fermented tea, white grape and a touch of elderflower, with floral notes, mid-palate rhubarb, cool cucumber and a whisper of oak. The nose shows elderflower, rhubarb and white flowers; the palate is light-bodied with crisp acidity and delicate sweetness, closing on a radiant, slightly off-dry, refreshing finish.

EPICONE FIRE. FIRE is presented as intense, complex and full-bodied, layered with fermented tea, earthy red beet and a vibrant touch of blackcurrant that reveals subtle cherry undertones, unfolding into smooth vanilla and soft licorice with hints of pepper, caraway and oak. The nose shows dark fruits, vanilla and liquorice. The palate is structured and buttery, with medium tannins and balanced acidity, and a long velvety finish.