Tag: History of beverages

The first commercial bottling of water began in England in 1622, over two hundred years before Evian established its bottling facility. While the Evian brand is a global icon today, its entry into the market followed a long and fascinating history of bottled water pioneers.

Over 75% of Americans have tasted root beer, yet far fewer are familiar with its close cousin, birch beer. While they are both dark, carbonated soft drinks with historical roots in North America, the answer to "how is birch beer different from root beer?" lies in their primary ingredients, flavor, color, and regional popularity.

According to Britannica, the term "soft drink" was first used in the 19th century to distinguish non-alcoholic beverages from "hard" or alcoholic liquors. While the distinction is simple, the true nature of what makes soda a soft drink is a fascinating mix of chemistry, specific ingredients, and a unique manufacturing process. It's a combination that has evolved since the 1700s to create one of the world's most widely consumed beverages.

While most people associate modern energy drinks with the late 90s, the concept was alive and well long before. Asian markets, in particular, had thriving energy tonic industries, which served as the blueprint for the global products we recognize today. But did energy drinks exist in the 80s in the way we understand them? Yes, in several key forms.