It cracks me up how different cultures crave different flavors and how those turn up in very pedestrian items like say soda pop. I am not a very big soda fan for obvious health reasons. I gave it up years ago and only succumb to the occasional diet coke when in no ditch situations where caffeine is necessary and I am desperate.
That being said, people down here love the stuff. In fact, I will say that even humble Coca Cola definitely does taste better down here. I doubt that the formula is different, I think it must have more sugar. Period. Latins are sugar junkies. And soda is liquid sugar (or chemicals when diet). In fact, you will commonly see babies in Chile in strollers with their bottles full of coke or fanta. And just to throw some further, shocking statistics at you, Chile tops the charts in the region for the highest coke consumption. According to Coca Cola in 2009, Chileans consumed 429 ounces, or 52 glasses, or 13 liters of coke. How about that? Country of 15 million beating out Colombia, Peru, and Argentina. Now to compare that, this is the SAME amount of wine consumed in Chile per capita and ice cream. Ayayay.
Anyway, if you’re curious to try some of the local flavors, here’s a short list of the most common yet exotic (for us gringos) in the Southern Cone, Brazil, and Peru. Now only if somebody would import Ginger Beer from Jamaica. That’s my kind of soda (mixed with rum in a pseudo-mojito, of course).
Bilz & Pap: Wildly popular in Chile, Bilz is a red, cherry-ish tasting drink. Think of red jello in liquid form. It’s brother, Pap, is a papaya (Chilean papaya, that is) flavored soda. A little more tangy. Both are very sweet. Kids beg for these. Crave them. If you need a shot of sugar or want to see your kids get wound up, just try it. In Santiago, I spot a lot of Chileans downing these at empanada joints like El Rápido or at Dominó, with a completo of course.
Sorbete Letelier: This is a classic. Old School. Probably the most famous and respected Chilean pop in the last 100 years. It was created over 80 years ago in Talca from a base made of dried cherries. Think Dr. Brown’s Cherry Soda for you guys in the US. Of all the sodas, this is the most original IMHO, and tasty.
Inka Kola: Inka Kola has flooded the market here due to the heavy immigration of our northern neighbors, Peru. The first thing that will catch your attention is its neon yellow color. Very natural. NOT. Known as the “Golden Cola”, as Coca Cola is a 50% shareholder in this Peruvian brand, it is made from lemon verbena. I think the flavor is reminiscent of bubble gum to be quite honest. It also dates back to the 1920s with its creation in Lima whose founder was looking to create a fizzy infusion of the beloved herb, lemon verbena. Peruvians drink this by the liter accompanied by Peruvian Roasted Chicken and Ceviche at Peruvian food Mecca spots like El Ají Seco and Olán in Santiago.
Guaraná: I feel in love with Guaraná in Brazil. Made from a tall climbing plant found in the Amazon called Guaraná, it conveniently contains twice as much caffeine as coffee and is a big energy booster. In Brazil, they love to convert this berry into soft drinks. I loved it ice cold on hot days on the beach in its diet form. You can use it as a mixer in lieu of club soda or ginger ale. There are several brands on the market but I have to say, my favorite is Antarctica. It seems crisper and fruitier. In the northern reaches of Brazil, the guaraná is bubblegum pink and tastes like Cotton Candy. We tried it up in Maranhao the local stuff called “Jesus”. We can finally get this now in Chile at some specialized supermarkets. In the US, check for Brazilian or Portuguese grocers to carry it.
If I have missed any others that you guys love, feel free to post in the comments and share with everybody. I would say “cheers” but somehow that doesn’t feel appropriate with pop. So enjoy.
