Valley business sells prickly pear cactus drink

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Cactus Water is being touted as the new "it" beverage, and a company in Scottsdale is the first to harness and bottle it.

Doctors say it's packed with vitamin C and anti-oxidants, and it's made from something we have a lot of in Arizona, prickly pear cactus.

You've probably heard of coconut water, maybe even aloe water, or maple water, and even artichoke water. Now there's a new water on the market, cactus water.

Tom Zummo is the creator and CEO of the True Nopal Cactus Water; the company is based in Arizona. His product is gaining popularity because of the health benefits and sweet fruity taste. Doctors say the product is full of vitamin C, electrolytes, minerals, and flavonoids that are anti-inflammatory, and they are even good to help with a nasty hangover.

Zummo started the company in 2013.

"I was on a run through one of the wonderful trails in Arizona and the prickly pear just so happened to be in bloom," said Tom Zummo.

After doing some research, he set out a way to harness the prickly pear's health benefits.

"There isn't anything on the market as a ready to drink beverage that was just made from the prickly pear," said Zummo.

The cacti are harvested from the Sonoran Desert, juiced, processed, and then shipped out to stores around the world. Unlike other beverage fads that have come and gone, Zummo says this one is here to stay.

"I don't think it's a fad; I think we've created something fantastic. The consumers are very knowledgeable about what they are putting into their body and very conscious of what they are consuming, so I think that with the health benefits, the low calories with low sugar, we're not going anywhere," he said.

"The biggest amount of success we feel is the e-mails and letters we receive from the people out there," said Zummo.

True Nopal is sold at Sprouts and other grocery stores; it cost about $3 per small bottle.

Online: truenopal.com