When it comes to refreshing and invigorating beverages, few things can match the delightful experience of sipping on jaba juice. But with the plethora of options available in Kenya, it can be confusing to find the right one. Every month, there’s a new brand claiming to be the best in typical Kenyan fashion. Today, we’re diving into the top jaba juice brands to see what each one has to offer. Hopefully, you learn something from my experiences. Here are the top jaba juice brands in Kenya
1. Handas Jaba Juice
Kickstarting our list is the ever-popular Handas jaba Juice. I could go on about this brand forever because what they offer is simply incredible. They have a variety of juice types and flavors that can satisfy anyone. They are also the first jaba juice brand in the world to offer sparkling jaba juice, which is just amazing. My favorite is their “Sex on the Beach” flavor, overflowing with tropical sweetness and a perennial favorite among locals and tourists alike.
Handas Juice also offers cold-pressed and distilled versions. The cold-pressed juice blends and squeezes the juice out of the jaba, giving you a fresh and potent product. It’s the closest thing to chewing the actual khat/jaba, with an earthy taste and tartness that lasts up to four days.
On the other hand, the distilled version extracts the active ingredients through distillation and mixes them with natural flavors. It’s tastier and goes down easier, though the cathinone disintegrates a bit through distillation. However, it still packs a punch and can last up to two months, which is revolutionary. I wrote a whole review about Handas Jaba Juice because once I get started, I don’t stop!
2. Jaba Nation
Jaba Nation proudly offers a diverse range of jaba juices, all meticulously crafted from organic ingredients. From the zesty burst of citrus to the refreshing sweetness of mixed berries, each flavor is a testament to their dedication to organic goodness. They source only the finest fruits from sustainable farms, ensuring every drop is delicious and environmentally responsible. Whether you’re indulging in the tropical notes of their mango passionfruit blend or savoring the classic taste of apple orchard freshness, Jaba Nation’s organic jaba juices embody nature’s bounty in every bottle. For some reason, I cannot find a downloadable image of them on Google.
3. Petiole
Petiole is a unique brand that came into the market in 2023. Although new to the scene, they were smart enough to focus on a niche market and stick to their guns. This resulted in a tasty, strong, and consistent juice with excellent packaging. At 1200 Ksh for a 750ml bottle, the price is hefty, but worth it. They only offer one flavor, which is a bummer, but it’s great and pairs well with alcoholic drinks. Their silver bullet is their Instagram content, which will leave you laughing if you understand Kenyan culture.
4. Slap Premium
Slap Premium is a unique brand that offers a variety of excellent flavored juices that pack a punch, hence the name. Although not very popular, it has a cult-like following in the places where it’s sold. My favorite is the passion turmeric juice, which goes really well with cocktails and gets the job done. The uniqueness of this brand is its mystery. They have no marketing whatsoever and can only be found in a few spots in Nairobi. The packaging is basic (and that’s being nice), but the juice is great. It looks like a primary school business project for some students who decided to make and sell homemade lemonade, but they make up for it in taste and quality.
5. Jaba Tamu
Jaba Tamu is a Diani-based jaba juice that’s very unique compared to other brands. Most coast-based jaba juices are nasty at best, but theirs is on par with Nairobi brands. They make their juice with freshly blended fruits and use sugarcane juice as the sweetener, resulting in a smoothie-like juice that’s really tropical and rich in life. The downside is its short shelf life – it only lasts a couple of days in the fridge, limiting their expansion. Definitely worth a try if you’re ever in Diani.
6. Catha Juice
I believe Catha was the first brand to make and sell jaba juice in Kenya. This is a bold statement, as many people made jaba juice for themselves and their friends at home, but Catha was the first to commercially sell the juice. They’re unique because their focus is on wellness, catering to the premium market. Some people might rank them higher, but I placed them at number six because their juice isn’t tasty. They don’t use sugar or sweeteners, so their juices taste like the real thing, which isn’t very appealing. However, they do have a great brand and focus on healthy living. I’ll try their new flavors and re-rank them accordingly.
7. Hiram’s Ghat Juice
Hiram’s Ghat Juice, along with Handas Juice and Catha, are the OGs of jaba juice in Kenya. They were the first to commercialize the idea of jaba juice and paved the way for other brands. Despite being around for many years, their juice has never changed or evolved. They still offer the same flavors, taste, and strength. They have a loyal following, so if it isn’t broken, there’s no point in fixing it.
8. Ignite Jaba Juice
Ignite is a new jaba juice brand still trying to find its footing. They have three flavors, all mediocre at best. Given that they’re new, they have room to make mistakes and still come out strong. I hope they focus more on their juice in the coming years because there’s a lot of potential here.
9. Jaba Waba
From here on out, these juices aren’t even trying. They seem to be riding the wave and throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. Jaba Waba ranks ninth because they use fresh fruits, which is unique. However, they don’t put much effort into making the juice great. They just blend fruits and mix them with jaba, resulting in a low-quality product. Despite this, they have potential due to their use of fresh fruits.
10. Yaba Jaba Juice
Choosing number ten was the most challenging because the other brands are simply horrible. Picking out the best of the worst, I settled on Yaba Jaba Juice. As the name suggests, there’s no effort in making the juice, but I needed a number ten, so here we are.
Conclusion
I hope I wasn’t too harsh on some of these brands, but the audience needs to know what works and what doesn’t. It’s a new industry that needs regulation and boundaries, so it’s easy for a normal consumer to be lost in all that’s being offered. I hope this list helps those who don’t know much about jaba juice. Most importantly, I want to hear your thoughts. This is my own opinion, so I hope no one gets all worked up about it.
Are you new to Jaba Juice and are looking to learn more about its pros, cons and how it impacts the culture. Then be sure to check out our jaba juice blog where we dive into all topics relating to Khat juice, miraa juice, jaba juice or whatever you want to call it. For starters, you can learn about what is jaba juice here and also check out my jaba juice review where I showcase which is the best jaba juice. You can also check out this jaba juice faq that answers most frequently asked questions.