This map shows the regional diversity
Source: Infographic WELT / Isabell Bischoff
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Cola?
Or is it Kola?
That is the K question of German beverage manufacturers.
There is no agreement, the main thing is that the soft drink tingles, is sweet and has a characteristic acidity.
It has been around for over 130 years.
In 1886, an American pharmacist developed a syrup made from coca leaves and the caffeine-rich kola nut.
The two ingredients gave their name to the first Cola - which originally actually contained cocaine - and today's world market leader Coca-Cola.
Nobody really knows what exactly is in it today, only that it cannot be too healthy: glucose, fructose, sugar, color, phosphoric acid.
Nevertheless, every German drank an average of 36 liters of the brown soda in 2019.
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The US multinational is also the market leader in Germany, but there are also a number of regional fountains and breweries which - in addition to the lemon and orange classics - produce their own cola.
Some have been doing this for over 60 years, their bottles and labels have a certain retro charm.
Other colas come from young companies that started out as a smoothie bar and were sometimes founded by disappointed Afri-Cola fans.
Our list is not exhaustive, but it shows an amazing variety of colas:
Source: Spreequell
Club Cola, Berlin:
Because the call for it got louder and louder, the first GDR-Cola was launched in April 1967, which was supposed to stand up to the Western brands.
After a short break in the post-reunification period, Club Cola lived again in 1992, and is now bottled by the Berlin company Spreequell.
Source: Piranjasoul GmbH
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Piranja Cola, Neunkirchen:
The company from Saarland sees itself as a small fish with sharp teeth.
The cola is made from eight ingredients and is less sweet.
There is a sugar-free version and a cherry cola - currently only available in the region but an online shop is being set up.
Source: Dingslebener
Osta Cola, Schönbrunn:
As one of several companies, the Dingslebener company from Thuringia uses the original Vita Cola recipe, which was drunk in the GDR - but has to name its drink differently for legal reasons.
In addition to the classic Cola, there is also an Osta Cola Plus on offer, which was specially developed for alcoholic mixed drinks and has a strong citrus note.
Source: ADM WILD Europe GmbH & Co. KG
Libella Cola, Eppelheim:
In the 1950s, this brew was recognized by the brown bottle, the Libella girl and the slogan "Libella, my great love".
The current label reminds you of this.
Libella is primarily at home in southern Germany, but the brand has recently also been launched in Kazakhstan and Bulgaria.
And in Lithuania, Libella is the market leader.
Source: INDEPENDENT DRINKS
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Premium Cola, Hamburg:
The brand was founded 20 years ago by disappointed Afri-Cola fans because the model had decisively changed its recipe.
Premium Cola is made according to the old Afri-Cola recipe, including a high caffeine content of 250 milligrams per liter, which keeps you awake for a long time (Coca-Cola comes to 100 milligrams).
Source: Hermann-kola.de
Hermann Kola, Hamm:
The rocket on the label suggests that the caffeine content is increased here (250 milligrams per liter).
A splash of lime juice is also added.
The company Hermann Kola, founded in 2006, also has colas with coffee and liquorice flavors in its range.
Source: liba
Liba Kola, Münster:
The "Münsterkola" with the Pac-Man logo has existed since 2014. Liba does not work with a lemon aroma, but with a natural lime taste that is a bit bitter and tangy.
Those who do not live in Münster can also order them in the online shop.
Source: Krombacher
Proviant Cola, Berlin:
The company Proviant was founded as a smoothie manufacturer in a Kreuzberg backyard and has also been producing Fairtrade lemonades and colas since 2012.
In addition to the classic version, there is also a caffeine-free natural cola.
Available mainly in organic markets and Spätis in and around Berlin.
Source: Sinalco
Sinalco, Duisburg:
The soft drink company Sinalco was founded in 1905, the name is made up of the Latin words "sine" and "alcohole" - without alcohol.
Cola is the German answer to Coca-Cola launched in 1934.
It has kept its special bottle shape to this day.
Source: Schwarzwald-Sprudel GmbH
Schwarzwald Sprudel Cola, Offenburg:
The Schwarzwald-Sprudel Quelle was first mentioned in a document in 1584, and the company of the same name has been bottling lemonade since the 1950s.
The cola is available in slim 0.25-liter bottles, but only in the southwest.
Source: Randegger
Randegger Kola, Randegg:
The Randegger Ottilien spring is located near the Swiss border and has been owned by the Fleischmann family since 1892.
The brothers Christoph and Clemens are now the fourth generation to run the company.
Your cola has an additional benefit: two cents for every bottle sold goes to the water foundation as a donation.
Drink kola for clean water, so to speak.
Source: brauerei-neunspringe.de
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Neunspringe Cola, Leinefelde-Worbis:
While the beer bottles of the Neunspringe company received a modern update for the 150th anniversary in 2017, the bulbous bottle and the red-green label of the Cola catapult you back into the 70s.
"With vitamin C" is on the label.
Mainly to be found in the north of Thuringia and in the Harz Mountains.
Source: Loscher Brewery
Loschi Cola, Münchsteinach:
The Franconian Loscher brewery was founded in 1881 and today produces eleven beers (including a wheat beer!) And 13 lemonades as well as "the Cola to feel good" as it says on the bottle.
The family business also includes the Club Mate brand (of which there is also a cola version).
Source: fzgetraenke.de
FZ Cola, Roßhaupten im Allgäu:
FZ Beverage has been around since 1953. Even then, Franz Zimmermann's small lemonade factory sold herbal lemonade and rhubarb spritzer in addition to cola and cola mix.
The company has just reissued the old recipes and designs.
The entire Ostallgäu is supplied.
Source: FRUCADE DEUTSCHLAND
Frucade Cola Classic, Rosenheim: It
all started with an orange lemonade in 1952.
Today around 50 small and medium-sized breweries or mineral springs from all over Bavaria produce lemonades under the brand name Frucade, including Cola Classic.
The company is self-confident: "Not only wine connoisseurs are picky, also those who enjoy cola know exactly what they like."
Source: Vielanker Brewery
Vielanker Cola, Dömitz:
The Mecklenburg brewery, Vielanker, not only produces beer but also soft drinks with a pop cap;
A cola has been in the program since 2013.
The house recipe contains relatively little sugar, so the cola tastes particularly aromatic and tart.
This text is from WELT AM SONNTAG. We will be happy to deliver them to your home on a regular basis.
Source: Welt am Sonntag