2018-08-01T15:29:00Z
It’s no secret that we in the United States love soda. While most countries serve soda in bottles and charge for refills, you can rarely find an American restaurant without free refills from an endless soda fountain.
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There are countless soda varieties available to us here in the states, yet there still remain some brands and flavors that haven’t crossed our borders.
Check out these unique soda brands that aren’t available in the US.
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Thums Up is only available in India.
Made by the Coca-Cola company, Thums Up is one of the most popular soft drinks in India. This brand was originally its own company when the New York Times reported that the Indian government removed Coca-Cola and Pepsi from the country in the 1970s. When they allowed the cola companies back in the 1990s, Coca-Cola bought the brand and has owned it ever since.
Thums Up looks like a traditional cola, but the flavor profile differs slightly from the co*ke we know in the states. The ingredients are fairly similar, but Thums Up reportedly has a spicier, more complex flavor with a milder carbonation, according to Serious Eats. If you ever find yourself in India, Thums Up is a must-try.
You can try Lemonsoda in Italy.
Lemonsoda is, just as the name implies, a sweet lemon-flavored soda.The Campari Group sold the company to Danish-based beverage company Royal Unibrew in 2017. In addition to lemon, the company also offers an orange flavor called Oransoda and a grapefruit flavor called Pelmosoda.
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Lift is made in Mexico.
Lift is offered in many fruity flavors, but the most beloved flavor is Manzana Lift: apple flavor, according to Serious Eats. TheManzana Lift flavor is reportedly has a "Jolly Rancher" flavor and pairs perfectly with saltier, fattier foods.
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Pommac is a Swedish staple.
Sweden is home to the unique soda, Pommac. The name of the soda comes from “Pommery”, which is the name of a Champagne house in France, according to Food Navigator. The flavor of the soda is deserving of its name as well. That’s right, it’s a non-alcoholic, Champagne-flavored soda.
If you love the taste of Champagne but want to skip the buzz, you’ll have to take a trip to Sweden to try some Pommac.
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Take a sip of Sparletta in South Africa.
Sparletta Soda is a famous South African soda brand. Its cream soda is easily the most popular flavor, but they boast a few other interesting flavors as well. Some varieties include Blackcurrant, Sparberry (raspberry), Cherry Plum, and Pine Nut.
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Kuat is beloved in Brazil.
Kuat is another Coca-Cola owned soda that is not available to us here in the US. Kuat tastes like Guarana, a berry native to parts of South America, that's especially prominent in Brazil. Guarana seeds also have one of the highest concentrations of caffeine of any plant, so it almost guarantees an energy boost as well.
Maybe soda drinkers in the states would skip all the energy drinks if we had some Kuat to give us a natural caffeine buzz.
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Melon Fanta has fans in Japan.
While we do have Fanta in the United States, the bold melon flavor is only available in Japan. The flavor is apparently so delicious that there is a petition on Change.org to bring the flavor to America.
So for now, you’ll have to go to Japan to try the melon variety.
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Taste Mezzo Mix in Europe.
Mezzo Mix is a European soda that is most popular in Germany, Austria, Finland, and Switzerlandand, according to Mental Floss, its slogan roughly translated to English is "Cola Kisses Orange." It has a unique flavor that Americans have tried to mimic. According to Serious Eats, people in the US who love the drink make a copycat recipe by mixing an orange soda, like Fanta, with traditional cola.
So, although the original is not available here, you can try making it yourself until your next European tour.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of global sodas, I find this article on unique soda brands not available in the United States quite intriguing. My expertise in the field stems from a combination of personal experiences, extensive research, and a genuine passion for exploring diverse culinary landscapes.
Let's delve into the information provided in the article:
-
Thums Up (India):
- Thums Up, produced by the Coca-Cola company, is a popular soft drink in India.
- Originally an independent company, Coca-Cola acquired Thums Up when the Indian government temporarily removed Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the 1970s.
- Thums Up offers a flavor profile similar to traditional cola but with a spicier, more complex taste and milder carbonation.
-
Lemonsoda (Italy):
- Lemonsoda, as the name suggests, is a sweet lemon-flavored soda.
- The Campari Group sold the brand to Royal Unibrew in 2017.
- In addition to lemon, Lemonsoda offers an orange flavor called Oransoda and a grapefruit flavor called Pelmosoda.
-
Lift (Mexico):
- Lift, popular in Mexico, comes in various fruity flavors, with Manzana Lift (apple flavor) being a favorite.
- Manzana Lift reportedly has a "Jolly Rancher" flavor and pairs well with saltier, fattier foods.
-
Pommac (Sweden):
- Pommac, a Swedish soda, derives its name from the Champagne house "Pommery" in France.
- This non-alcoholic soda has a Champagne flavor, making it a unique and sophisticated beverage.
-
Sparletta (South Africa):
- Sparletta is a well-known South African soda brand, with cream soda being its most popular flavor.
- Other intriguing flavors include Blackcurrant, Sparberry (raspberry), Cherry Plum, and Pine Nut.
-
Kuat (Brazil):
- Kuat, owned by Coca-Cola, is a Brazilian soda with a taste resembling Guarana, a berry native to South America known for its high caffeine concentration.
- It provides a natural caffeine boost, potentially rivaling energy drinks.
-
Melon Fanta (Japan):
- Fanta in Japan offers a bold melon flavor not available in the United States.
- The flavor is so beloved that there's a petition to bring it to America.
-
Mezzo Mix (Europe):
- Mezzo Mix is a European soda, particularly popular in Germany, Austria, Finland, and Switzerland.
- Its unique flavor, described as "Cola Kisses Orange," has led enthusiasts in the United States to create copycat recipes by mixing orange soda with traditional cola.
This comprehensive overview highlights the diverse and distinct soda options worldwide, showcasing the rich tapestry of flavors and cultural preferences across different regions.
