Note: There is a connection with wine… read till the end!
The orange soda we know today as Fanta was born in 1940 in Nazi Germany – not because someone dreamed of a delicious citrus drink, but out of pure necessity.
When World War II cut off Coca-Cola syrup imports to Germany, the local Coca-Cola bottling company (led by German businessman Max Keith) was left with empty plants and no product. Keith refused to shut down. Instead, he and his team created a new drink using whatever ingredients were available inside the country under wartime rationing: mostly apple fiber left over from cider presses and whey from cheese production. They called it “Fanta” – short for “Fantasie” (fantasy/imagination) – because they literally had to fantasize a soft drink into existence.
It was pale, lightly sweet, and tasted nothing like oranges at first. The original 1940s version was sold only in Germany and occupied territories. After the war ended, Coca-Cola regained control of the German company in 1955, and the brand was re-launched in Naples, Italy – this time using real orange flavor. From there it spread globally and became the neon-orange, sugar-bomb drink we know today.
Sources:
- https://www.coca-colacompany.com/company/history/the-chronicle-of-coca-cola-birth-of-a-refreshing-idea
- https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fanta-nazi-germany/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/original-fanta
- https://corporate.coca-cola.com/about-us/history/the-real-story-of-fanta
And now… the tasting notes of Fanta
(why not? industrial wine taste the same year after year)
Fanta Orange 2025 “Laboratory Sunshine” – Non-Vintage
Appearance A glowing radioactive orange that could guide ships in fog. Bubbles sprint upward like they’re late for a sugar rush.
Nose Explosive blast of “orange” that has never seen an actual orange grove. Dominant aromas of melted popsicle, cheap gummy bears, and the plastic bottle it lived in for six months. Subtle top notes of “whatever the chemist was having for lunch.”
Palate 45 grams of sugar per can hit you like a piñata explosion, followed by citric acid so sharp it feels personally offended by your taste buds. Mid-palate reveals the refined elegance of Yellow 6 and Red 40, with a luxurious mouth-coating finish thanks to modified food starch and glycerol ester of rosin. Tannins: none. Regret: plenty.
Finish Short, sticky, and neon-colored. Leaves your tongue looking like you kissed a traffic cone. Lingering question: “Why am I not drinking a chilled Lisboa rosé right now?”
Score 98 points – from children under 10, 12 points – from adults who still have functioning enamel
The Real (and Actually Wild) Story of Orange Soda: some drinks were invented by necessity and perfected by marketing.
Industrialized wineries are doing the same and then driving the prices by “clever” marketing.
We’ll stick to grapes + Atlantic breeze + time. Hope you will join us!
“Curious question for you all: what’s your idea or experience with tasting notes? Share it with me below!”
