Everything Everywhere Daily The History of Soft Drinks
Jan 29, 2025
Discover the captivating journey of soft drinks, exploring their origins from ancient flavored waters to modern favorites. Learn about the groundbreaking moment when carbonation was invented and its evolution from medicinal brews to cultural icons like cola and root beer. The podcast delves into the industry's explosive growth, including iconic launches like Dr. Pepper and the impact of historical events. It also addresses contemporary health concerns linked to consumption, all while shedding light on the global soft drink market poised for incredible revenue growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Soft Drink Terminology
- Soft drinks have various names worldwide (pop, soda, fizzy drinks).
- They share core characteristics: carbonation and sweetness, distinguishing them from 'hard' alcoholic drinks.
Early Soft Drinks
- Early soft drinks, like flavored waters, existed in ancient civilizations.
- The Islamic Golden Age saw advancements with sharbat, a sweet syrup mixed with water.
Carbonation Pioneers
- Joseph Priestley, discoverer of oxygen, created the first artificially carbonated water in 1767.
- Johann Jacob Schwepp developed the first commercial soda water.