Inca Kola the peruvian flavor drink, is the exotic-flavored soda continues to be one of the most beloved brands in the country and its success means that many chefs choose it as the perfect marriage for their creations.
The iconic national flavor soft drink Inca Kola is the second most remembered and loved brand by Peruvians in the 21st century. Not in vain, this has established itself as the ideal pairing for many dishes of white and red gastronomy, a must in restaurants, huariques and family tables. But how was this ‘fury’ of intense yellow color and sweet flavor created?
The history of Inca Kola dates back to January 1935, when the drink first captivated Peruvian palates under the authorship of Aguas Gaseosas Santa Rosa, a family factory founded by the British Robinson Lindley.
After years of research, the businessman arrived at what he considered to be a perfect soda recipe, with an intense yellow color that sought to evoke the gold of the Inca culture, one of the main axes in the spirit of the brand until the day of today.
Inca Kola Time
One of the most perfect unions in the local gastronomic world is the one between a bottle of ice-cold Inca Kola and a delicious chifa. With options ranging from the classic chicken chaufa to others with more personality such as a tasty roast duck or battered prawns, it could be assured that there is no chifa in Peru that does not have several bottles of Inca Kola in its refrigerator.
Inca Kola is one step ahead of other downgrades such as jasmine tea, green tea or oolong tea. It is refreshing and light gas. In addition, lemon verbena also gives it that relaxing touch.
It seems crazy, but despite being sweet, it is also chosen as the perfect accompaniment for dishes like kam lu wantan and tipakay. I have even seen customers who, after having a soup at the chifa, ask for a personal bottle of Inca Kola to enjoy after dinner, and they leave happy,” concludes Wu.
There is no doubt, Inca Kola is a fundamental part of the Peruvian table and a perfect pairing for the dishes of our generous land. May they live happily ever after, and bon appetit!
How It Started?
Isaac Lindley will always be remembered as the leader who consolidated the spirit of Inca Kola in the Peruvian market.
Although he assumed management of the family business in turbulent times (the Second World War had barely ended), he managed to emerge victorious, encouraging the brand’s image change and catapulting its development.
Lindley acquired the company’s first bottling machine (which bottled 36 units per minute), changed the bottle label and renewed the soda’s slogan to: “Inca Kola there is only one and it doesn’t look like any other”, a phrase that Many Peruvians still treasure in their memory.