LIBRARY OF THE MOST ICONIC DRINKS EVER
Here you will see the most famous drinks in the world and find out what makes them so special. You will find interesting information about:
Coca Cola - Red Bull - Pepsi Cola - Coconut Water - Gin - Green Tea - Black Tea - Whisky - Rum
COCA COLA
When anyone thinks of soft drinks today, the first brand on their mind is Coke, made by the Coca-Cola Company. Like Google personified the world of search engines (the word ‘Google’ is now considered a verb –which means ‘to search’), coke has also personified the idea of soft drinks.
But how much do you know of the fan-favorite? There is a lot of history and fact about this billion-dollar brand that is not written behind the label. And today, we will share 5 of them with you. These make up the rich history of the company, and they are fun to know too:
5 Interesting Facts about Coke
1. Coke was born out of the curiosity to fight an addiction
The Coca-Cola story began in 1886, when the curiosity from a Doctor and Pharmacist from Atlanta, Dr. John S. Pemberton got the better of him. Pemberton who was a colonel in the confederate army was addicted to morphine. The idea of coke struck him as he realized he needed to fight his addiction to morphine. So being a pharmacist, he cooked up the Coca-Cola formula.
2. Coke was an alcoholic beverage and contained an illegal substance
In the initial year, coke contained alcoholic content. Including Cocaine, Kola and Damiana – a kind of shrub which had Aphrodisiac and anti-anxiety qualities. The “Coca” in the name of the company – Coca Cola, was derived from the first four letters of cocaine. And Pemberton’s partner thought that using the letter “C” twice made more sense instead of using the “K” from Kola. (So it could have been Coca Kola).
3. Coke used to be a stimulant and increases Libido
Because of the constituents of the beverage, coke was meant to be a stimulant. It was marketed to the public to be a cure of many sicknesses – Improve sexual libido, stress relief, helps fight depression, addiction, fights constipation and improve digestion, etc. Pemberton promoted the beverage as a brain tonic, this is no surprise since he formulated the drink to help combat his addiction to morphine. A glass of the drink was usually sold for 5 cents.
4. How about the Cocaine and alcoholic content?
In 1914, cocaine was outlawed, but it was removed from the drink in 1903, for some reasons, it had to be removed from the constituents of the beverage. The Alcohol was removed too as a result of cultural complaints and issues.
5. Coke has always had a distinction in advertising
Coke has always employed engaging and successful advertising strategies. The company always goes above and beyond in advertising. They created non-coke products to keep their brands in the mind and hearts of their customers or potential customers. These products include clocks, calendars, beautiful female spokes models and many more.
Coke even attempted to change the culture then, by introducing the “coke in the morning” phrase. This was done in an attempt to get people to take coke in the morning instead of the usual coffee. And the idea of packing drinks in packs of six which is prevalent in the beverage industry today originated from Coke.
Now you know more of your favorite Coca Cola brand, which of these took you by surprise? Share this article with your friends.
RED BULL
Red Bull is an energy drink that looks so cool and is so internationally present that hardly anyone could guess where it really comes from.
The brand was founded in 1987 in the tranquil province of Austria. Originally it was supposed to be a kind of imitation of a Thai drink called "Krating Daeng". It was a caffeinated drink used by truckers to help them stay awake during their night-time journeys.
Red Bull sold in 2013 over 5 billion cans, since then the trend is increasing.
The brand achieved its worldwide cult status through a series of very creative marketing campaigns. Since the 1990s, television commercials have looked almost the same and have become unmistakable. In addition, the manufacturer created some extraordinary events and competitions.
There is the Red Bull Marathon, an air race at Lake Balaton, car races, bicycle races etc. One success factor has always been that not only professionals could take part, but also masses of ordinary people from the population.
Red Bull also supports two football clubs in Europe: RB Salzburg and later RB Leipzig. The latter was a real coup, because especially in eastern Germany there was no first-class club for a long time, while the stadium of the city was developed on an international level. Within a short time RB Leipzig became one of the top clubs in the German "Bundesliga".
Occasional warnings have been given against the use of Red Bull, but these concerns have been dispelled. One can of Red Bull contains 80mg caffeine. This is just as much as a normal cup of coffee. The 16 ounce Starbucks Grande cup contains 330 mg, about 4 times as much.
Today, the Red Bull company emplosy almost 12,000 people in over 171 countries.
The legendary Austrian drink is now the most popular energy drink in the world.
PEPSI COLA
Pepsi Cola often known as Pepsi is a 125-year-old drink that dates its origin from the North Carolina Pharmacy. It is a carbonated and caffeinated cola-based drink that is manufactured by the PepsiCo. Inc. The main ingredients include high fructose corn syrup, carbonated water, sugar or the artificial sweeteners, caffeine, citric acid, phosphoric acid, coloring, cola, and artificial and natural flavors too.
Initially, it was introduced as the “Brad’s Drink” by Caleb Bradham in the year 1893. The drink was renamed on August 28, 1898, as Pepsi-Cola and then was again given its present name Pepsi in the year 1961. It was originated in New Bern, North Carolina in the United States. The popularity of Pepsi Cola drink led to the formation of Company in the year 1902 appointing Caleb Bradham as the first President of the Company. Pepsi-Cola became an official trademark on June 16, 1903.
Pepsi-Cola gets its name from the Greek word that is pronounced the same as “Pepsi,” which means digestion and “Cola” that means Kola Nut. This was formulated to aid in digestion and for boosting energy levels with its original recipe including vanilla, carbonated water, kola nuts, rare oils, and sugar.
The Company saw many ups and downs during and after WW-1, but it did not stop the company from attaining #41ST rank on the Fortune 500 list in the year 2012, and 1st Rank on the Core Brand’s List of Most Respected Countries in the year 2013.
Some More Interesting Facts About Pepsi-Cola
The present brand ranking of PepsiCo is 44th amongst the Fortune US 500 (100) in the year 2018.
It was the first Company to start motorized vehicle delivery of its products instead of the horse-drawn carts that made its flourished amongst its customers.
The Company made its International debut by making its place in the Former Soviet Union market in the year 1972.
The modern PepsiCo. Company is a merger of two giant companies as Frito-Lay and Pepsi Cola.
At New York’s World Fair in the year 1939, it became the first Company to advertise through the skywriting mode.
It is one of the largest companies in North America, with its product being consumed in more than 200 countries across the globe.
In the year 1964, PepsiCo. Came with a new variant namely “Diet Pepsi” and it also acquired ‘Mountain Dew’ that is a citrus-flavored soft drink.
Pepsi Cola emerged as the giant after seeing ups and downs during wartime, but today, the Company holds a remarkable position amongst other top brands across the globe.
COCONUT WATER
Untold facts about coconut water:
Every time organic products are mentioned, coconut oil is on the list. You begin to wonder what happened to coconut water. Why on earth doesn’t it ever get recognized, or even mentioned half of the time coconut products are discussed.
Well, in this article, you’d see the benefits of coconut water. Why you need to get yourself a cup of coconut water more often than not.
This drink is not only organic and healthy, but it is also packed with loads of health benefits, in form of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins C, B-complex, enzymes, and minerals, Calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium, and many more. So you see, while we rave about coconut oil, no one should ignore coconut water. And you’d find below a whole lot health benefits of this drink.
Amazing benefits of coconut water:
1. A better way to lose weight
Everyone who has an extra pound wants to lose it, and most people buy expensive products, while they have something that can help right under their nose.
Coconut water helps in your weight loss program. It has been shown that the drink helps increase metabolic reactions while keeping you hydrated therefore making it less likely for fat to build up in your body. The fat in this drink is less than you’d get from milk, and the drink has no cholesterol, and also there are far fewer calories than you’d get from most of the sports drinks.
2. Helps you get a clearer skin
Have you been searching for how to get a smoother and clearer skin? You may have spent a couple of thousand dollars on inorganic products, and passed by some coconuts as you go to the mall.
But drinking coconut water helps you stay hydrated which in turn ensures your skin keeps glowing. Although water is a good option too, the glucose available in coconut water helps your skin stay energized, and this is very important for your skin cells. Your skin requires collagen for firmness and elasticity, and vitamin C in coconut water helps in synthesizing it.
3. A healthier headache treatment
Most people turn to over the counter medication when they have a headache, why not try drinking coconut water instead? Blood circulation is improved when you drink coconut water because of the magnesium content and this improved circulation helps the neurotransmitter. It may also control migraine headaches by the production of pain-reducing hormones.
4. Drops your blood pressure
If you are a patient with hypertension or just a healthy person with increased blood pressure, there are simple things that can help reduce your blood pressure. These include a reduction in your alcohol consumption, reducing the intake of salt or sodium substances, exercising and drinking coconut water. It has been shown that drinking coconut water can help reduce your blood pressure.
5. Improves your Digestion
Drinking coconut water helps improve your digestion. Your body digestive system can be relaxed due to the magnesium content of coconut water. This relieves you of constipation and helps in the movement of undigested food or stool through your large intestines.
So with these 5 tips, I hope when next you shop, you would add coconut/coconut water to it, and not only coconut oil.
GIN
While gin did not originally originate from England, it has been known as one of the favorites of the English over the years. The history of Gin has been one of both highs and lows, however, the drink has stood the test of time. It has completely seen off threats from fellow spirits and the “morality protesters”
So here is a little history of the drink and what you may have missed about your favorite gin.
Gin is a spirit derived from its predominant flavor, the Juniper berries. Its origin dates as far back as the middle ages. From a form of herbal medicine, Gin has evolved through the millennium into the object of commerce we all know today in the spirit industry.
Franciscus Sylvius, a Dutch physician was credited to have invented Gin. During the 17th century, a lot of small Flemish and Dutch distillers made the re-distillation of malt spirit popular. They did this with Juniper, Anise, Caraway, Juniper, and Coriander. The result of their distillation was sold in pharmacies and believed to have the ability to cure certain health conditions like Kidney diseases, Gallstones, Lumbago, gout, etc.
The name “GIN” was probably derived from the French word ‘Genievre’ or from the Dutch word Jenever, which both mean Juniper. Legends have it that the British were too drunk to call it Juniper, so they abbreviated it to ‘Gen’, which has now been Anglicized to GIN.
During the 11th century, the Italian monks started flavoring the spirits they crudely distill, using juniper berries. The drink was used as a remedy during the Black Death, although it wasn’t so effective. Through the middle age to the renaissance period and due to the advancement of distillation, Juniper became a major botanical used because of its flavor, supposed medicinal properties, and the perfume.
Gin became popular in England in the 17th century, during the time of restoration. As at the era of William III (or the William of Orange) who ruled the Dutch republic. He occupied the British throne and made Gin even more popular in England. The brand in circulation the most were majorly crude and inferior Gins and as an alternative to juniper, it was flavored with turpentines. William III encouraged the distillation of English gins and he made statues to prove this.
After the government in England approved the unlicensed gin production, the drink became even more popular, and then the government placed heavy taxes on all spirits imported into England. This was the beginning of the period which is popularly referred to as the “Gin Craze”, as there was a market for lots of poor quality grains which were not good enough to brew beer. So thousands of shops in England began the sale of gin during this gin craze era.
Gin has grown from strength to strength, breaking every barrier in its way and so far, it has reached every part of the world. If you have the possibility to visit a Gin Tasting event, then you should use this possiblity to find your favourite brand.
Currently, there is no stopping gin. In 2017, according to wine and spirits trade association, there were about 51million bottles of gin sold in the UK, and that represents about a 27% increase from what was sold in 2017 – massive.
GREEN TEA
Green tea originated from China, however, the production has spread to many other Asian countries. Time and again, this drink has been proven to have a lot of benefit for our health, so you don’t just enjoy your green tea, it also acts as a healthy supplement for you.
Green tea was shipped to America as settlers moved in, and since then (even among the colonist), it has enjoyed massive popularity. Tea became so popular in America, so much that a tea tax was imposed by Great Britain in 1767. This caused serious upset among the colonists, and it sparked the 17773 Boston tea party –during which, about 45 tons of green tea was thrown over the harbor.
Green tea contains the antioxidant Epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), this antioxidant is believed to help fight various diseases and health issues. If so far, you still do not drink green tea, the following facts might be a good reason to start.
What you didn’t know of Green Tea:
1. The Caffeine content of green tea is low
The caffeine content in green tea is only about 15-25mg per gram. Of course, bottled tea doesn’t provide the same benefits as the brewed tea, because some of the antioxidants are lost while bottling. The caffeine content in green tea is far less when compared to the caffeine content of black tea.
2. Green tea can help boost your relaxation and cognitive function
After a long day, sipping a cup of green tea may be all you need to unwind. It is also a very good drink to help boost your mind. According to a report by the Psychopharmacology journal, there is a positive link between improved memory and the consumption of green tea.
3. Good for the health
Green tea has a high level of healthy nutrients, alkaloids, and antioxidants. The alkaloids have positive effects on the health of green tea drinkers. There are vitamins too, and these include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B-complex, and vitamin D. There are several other minerals including Potassium, Chromium, Selenium, Zinc, Sodium, and Manganese, which are all very important for human health.
4. Green tea improves your body’s ability to burn fat
Odds are that when you glance over the ingredients of any supplement meant to burn fat, you’d see green tea. This is so because, in certain human controlled trials involving green tea, it has been shown that it boosts metabolic rates and increases the burning of fat.
In a study of 10 healthy men who took green tea, it was shown that the energy expenditure in these men increased by 4%. And then another study showed fat expenditure to have increased by a whopping 17%, which shows that with green tea, there is a selective increase in the burning of fat.
5. Helps in the fight against cancer
Some of the antioxidants in green tea can help in the fight against cancer. We all know that cancer is occurs when some cells start growing uncontrollably –and this is one of the world’s most deadly cause of death.
Oxidative damages are known to be factors contributing to the development of cancer, and antioxidants are likely to have a protective effect, which green tea is a source of.
So now you know this much about green tea, when are you getting your first or next cup?
BLACK TEA
Of course, it is not uncommon to hear people criticize you for taking many cups of caffeinated beverages – including tea and coffee. While over indulging in certain things isn’t that good as it comes with its consequences, enjoying an extra cup of black tea is not as bad as you may have heard.
A lot of people like their cup of tea, some prefer a cup of coffee, while there are different strokes for different folks, there are also different preferences when it comes to the herbal black or green tea. It’s true, you shouldn’t ignore your doctors’ prescription, so if your doctor haven’t warned you against black tea, or you want to give it a try but are not sure if it’s for you, here are 5 secret facts to know, they might help you in making your decision.
Secrets of black tea:
1. Black and green tea are siblings
You may not have known that black and green tea are both obtained from the same plant called the Camellia Sinensis. It is a plant with Chinese origin, cultivated in china as well as in other Asian countries. The Fujian region of China is known especially for its tea varieties.
2. Boosts oral health
Studies have shown that drinking black tea reduces the formation of plaque and it also helps restricts the growth of bacteria (such bacteria that promotes the growth of tooth decay and cavities). The study sponsored by the Tea trade health research association, found that the Polyphenol in black tea inhibits and kills the cavity causing bacteria. It also hinders the growth of the bacteria which triggers the growth of plaques.
3. Black tea is rich in Antioxidants
As in green tea, black tea is also rich in antioxidants such as polyphenol. This antioxidant helps in preventing DNA damage as a result of taking tobacco and some other toxic chemicals. There are also antioxidants in our foods and vegetables, but those found in black tea are different, so if they become a regular part of our diet, we’d enjoy the additional benefits.
4. Better heart management
It is amazing how a simple tea can do a lot, so much that it helps the heart too. In a 2009 research done by Arab L. called “a meta-analysis: risk of stroke in green & black tea consumption”, it was discovered that irrespective of a person’s race or country, taking about 3 cups of black tea reduces their risks of having a stroke by 21%, as against those who drink less than a cup daily.
5. Black tea may help reduce the risks of cancer
There is indeed a lot of work required to be done to know the causes of cancer, prevention and cure. But certain substances in black tea have been found to help reduce the risk as far as we know of cancer and its origin.
So far as we know, cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably, and the antioxidants in black tea are known to put uncontrollable or alien growth in check. It has been observed that women who drink black tea have a lower risk of ovarian cancer –than those who don’t drink black tea.
GUINNESS BEER
Not many know a lot about their favorite beer –Guinness. But after reading this, you’d have been furnished with a good deal of the history of the global brand.
Founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759, after he inherited 100 pounds from his uncle, the money was invested in a disused beer brewing facility from where he began the manufacture of the Irish stout. Since then, Guinness has gone on to become a very popular and respected beer brand across the world.
Arthur first leased the disused beer brewing facility for about 9000 years (at the rate of 45 pounds per annum). He started the business by brewing Dark Ale, but he later diversified into porter. It is called Porter because as at that time, it was common among the market porters. The beer was relatively new at the time, and it had a distinct dark color. This dark color came as a result of the roasted barley which was used during the brewing process.
In just ten years, the Guinness extra-strong porter found its way to England. A strong porter was known as a stout porter, so at that time, people prefer referring to the strong porter as Guinness Porter. However, Guinness later focused their attention on stout alone during the 19th century.
Arthur’s three sons succeeded him in the business, and they spearheaded the expansion into the foreign markets. His son, Arthur Guinness II would only want the best materials to be used in the production of a stronger Guinness beer, and that is what we know of it today.
It didn’t take long before that decision started paying off. In 1823, Guinness brewed about 30,000 barrels of stout alone, and the growth didn’t stop there. During 1882, that value had reached 1 million barrels. And by 1883, the brewery ST. James brewery was the largest in Ireland. It accommodated the growing capacity of beer being produced. During this period (in 1862), the O’Neil harp and the Arthur Guinness signature was introduced.
At the end of the century, the growth of Guinness wasn’t only felt in Ireland, but in the world, the company Brewery became the biggest in the world. Then the company was listed on the London stock exchange, as Arthur Guinness and Sons.
The Guinness brand later penetrated even more global markets, going into the African market, Australia, America, Far East, and of course, the brand dominated the European market too.
By the end of the decade preceding 1920, the Guinness brand moved into advertising. There were adverts on billboards, posters, and in the press. In 1963, a new brewery was set up in London, (Royal Park). This was due to the high demand of the Guinness product. In 1952, the name of the London brewery became Arthur Guinness Sons and co. (Royal Park).
In 1963, Guinness overseas Limited was set up, the main purpose of this arm of Guinness was to oversee the development of the brewery brand abroad, in countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Malaysia.
Guinness is now brewed in about 51 countries all over the world, and the stout is enjoyed in 150 countries. There are about 10Million glasses drunk worldwide every day.
WHISKY & WHISKEY
You like a shot of whiskey right frim time to time? But how much do you know of your whiskey? At the end of this post, you’d have improved your knowledge of one of your favorite brands –oh, whiskey isn’t a brand, it is a general name that refers to spirits that are made from distilled grains which have been matured in oaks. It’s cool if you’re not interested in the brewing process, not everyone has a knack for that.
So we’ll just go on and see the seven things you need to know about whiskey:
1.The United States of America
The biggest/largest consumer of whiskey in the whole world is the United States. That’s is a very short fact, and you can take it to the bank.
2. Whiskey is pure and colorless, but...
Of course, your favorite bourbon, Canadian, rye, etc. may come in colors, but these colors are all acquired through the oak casts in the aging process. Most of the colors also come from additives like the treated caramel. But the caramel affects the color and not the taste. However, the less expensive whiskeys may contain caramel deposits.
3. The Scottish variant of the spelling is without the “E”
Several countries have their preference for the spelling of whisky… (whiskey). The U.K, Ireland, and the United States prefer to spell it as Whiskey, but the Canadian bottles, Japan, Scotland prefer it without the ‘E’. The Scot particularly claims (according to legend) that using too many vowels in the spelling would waste drinking time. Isn’t that interesting?
4. When whiskey is first produced, it is a beer
This is getting even more interesting. The whiskeys you love are in fact distilled beer, without the hops. There is a mash from which whiskey is distilled, (which is actually known as distillers beer), and it is made of yeast, grain, and water – just like the regular beer. Usually, for the first two days of making whiskey, it is virtually the same thing as a beer. The change happens when the distillation process is done – this involves turning the mash (the distillers’ beer) into spirits.
5. Scotch whiskey is big business in Scotland
Did you know that Scotland generates about 125 pounds (that’s around $178) every second due to the export of whiskey? (According to the Scotch whiskey association). Isn’t that impressive?
6. The oldest whiskey lived for about 150 years.
It is believed to be about a 400-ml bottle of Glenavon liqueur whiskey. It was bottled around 1851-1858. The whiskey holds the Guinness book of world records title for the oldest whiskey. It was auctioned off for a massive $16,518.88 – amazing.
7. Angels have their share too
Whiskey is so fun that angels also have their share. Well, this is what happens: whiskey is mostly aged in barrels. These are porous and the whiskey gradually drops in volume, of course, through evaporation and at about 2%-4% per year. People fondly calls this the “Angel’s tax or share”. You may have observed this if you look up at the ceiling in an aging cellar. The alcohol evaporation would have blackened the ceiling.
So, there you go, seven amazing whiskey facts, you didn’t know. Enjoy one fact per day of the week.
RUM
Rum is one of the few drinks that would possibly not exist without the discovery of America.
When Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, he brought sugar cane from Europe. Under the Caribbean sun and tropical climate, the plant grew wonderfully. The Spanish established plantations and exploited the islands. After many native inhabitants died of epidemics, they began to fetch slaves from Africa to do the work on the fields.
About 30 years after the discovery, the English and French began to populate the first islands. These had been plundered by the Spaniards and then left behind. Thus the other powers also began to build up their first colonies. One of them was the island Barbados, which was possessed from the English in 1625.
One has to consider that the consumption of alcohol at that time was much more active and unbridled than today. And so it happened that the colonists of course wanted to brew alcohol in their new homeland. Therefore they tried all possible combinations of fruits and plants, which the island had to offer.
One day, success came. The settlers noticed that molasses begins to ferment when yeast is added to alcohol. That was of course a big gain. Because now one could process this waste product, which accumulates with the production of sugar, to a beverage. This was not only practical, but also increased sales.
There is a document from the year 1651, whicht mentions "rum" the first time. It´s said the name comes from the word "rumboullion" - a term, that the people from Devon County used for a rebellion. The settlers also called the drink "kill devil". But it was the term rum that established itself internationally. The other nations took the title. In France it is called "RHUM" and in Spain "RON".
Rum became the most important drink of the seafarers. On their way back from the colonies to their homeland, the ships were loaded with food and alcohol. Rum was used for this purpose.
At that time, however, the drink was of such low quality that it was consumed diluted with water and lemon. This mixture became known as "grog".
Today rum is an internationally highly regarded drink. There are many good and expensive brands of really excellent taste.
