CELEBRATE DELICIOUSLY

A Brand That Cares About You And Me And Its Community

Stefanie Garcia-Turner is a first-generation Mexican American from San Antonio, Texas, and has spent over two decades in the food and beverage industry. Her love for natural products and her Latino roots inspired her to create TUYYO, a modern Hispanic brand that specializes in powdered drink mixes, specifically Aguas Frescas and Cafecito.

Stefanie longed for a brand that reflected the heritage and culture of Latinos through inspired versions of traditional foods and beverages. She envisioned a brand that would pay homage to her cultural roots and create a sense of unity and nostalgia.

The name “Tuyo” in Spanish means “Your(s)” and “tu y yo” in Spanish means “you and me” TUYYO represents “your” culture and the products can be enjoyed alone, or with friends and family together, “you and me.”

What was something that you did not expect or know when starting this business?

Doing a production run takes so much planning and timing to get ingredients and packaging and line time all lined up. It sounds kind of silly now, but I didn’t know that there would be leftover packaging and ingredients from the run and I didn’t know what to do with any of it. I asked my co-packer what he suggested, and he said there is always some leftover and that many companies keep the items to use for the next production run if they can. So, I brought home unused lids, canister bottoms, and labels and packed them away in my garage until I was ready for the next run. Something you don’t plan on storing at your house until you’re an entrepreneur.

Stefanie & TUYYO Strawberry Agua Fresca .jpg

Give us your quick elevator pitch for TUYYO?

TUYYO caters to the ever-changing preferences of a diverse consumer base in the U.S. market by offering a selection of high-quality and better-for-you products. This includes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Latinos.

Is there a reason you chose to launch TUYYO Aguas Frescas & Cafecito as powdered drink offerings?

The decision to launch Aguas Frescas and Cafecito as powdered drink offerings was driven by a desire to innovate a category that has lacked new product options for years. TUYYO’s initial line of products is just the first step in a portfolio of offerings that meet the wellness needs of customers while providing an economical and environmentally conscious product line. We are taking steps to save on our carbon footprint by not shipping water across the U.S.

What makes TUYYO unique?

TUYYO's Aguas Frescas are made with actual fruit powder, sweetened with Organic Agave from Mexico, and are non-GMO. The three flavors, Strawberry, Pineapple, and Mango are superior to the conventional products on the market; free of artificial flavoring and the Agave provides a clean sweetness. Additionally, TUYYO is continuously expanding its flavor options, with additional flavors planned for 2024. The future of the Aguas Frescas line will include single-serve stick packs for added convenience. The Instant Cafecito line (Café de Olla, Cafecito plain, and Caramel) draws on my memories of watching my grandfather only drink instant coffee, but that coffee tasted terrible to me haha! In many Latin American countries, as well as around the world, having instant coffee is what starts the day. There has been a lack of options until recently as the pandemic sparked an interest in instant coffee for consumers to take with them into the great outdoors or when coffee shops were closed. It has grown a new fanbase of younger consumers who want a different experience than our parents and grandparents had. The natural non-GMO flavors used in the coffees ensure a delicious experience without the need for added sugar. TUYYO offers a balanced, medium-bodied Organic and Fair-Trade Colombian coffee blend that can be enjoyed as is or customized to personal taste preferences. Lastly, TUYYO embraces inclusivity by providing bilingual labels for all its products, creating an inclusive experience for Spanish-speaking customers.

Quick Facts:

Aguas Frescas

Vegan
Only 4 simple ingredients
Non-GMO Verified
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
100% Recyclable packaging
½ the calories and sugar as soda
Equal or less calories and sugar than traditional Agua Fresca (dependent on fruit used and recipes)
2 tablespoons serves 1 glass. One can of TUYYO serves 1 Gallon.

TUYYO foods is available at both Berkeley Bowl locations, will be available on the Berkeley Bowl shopping app soon and is available through Amazon, & Walmart online & in over 60 independent retailers throughout the U.S.

TUYYO ships to all 50 states and is looking into doing business in Canada and Mexico as it grows and scales.

Follow TUYYO:

Instagram @tuyyofoods

tik tok @tuyyofoods

tuyyofoods.com

To learn more about TUYYO and founder Stefanie Garcia-Turner listen/read below:

Cafecito:

Organic Colombian Coffee
Fair-Trade Coffee
Sugar Free
Vegan
Non-GMO