China Cola

China Cola was developed by the Hangzhou Wahaha Group of Hangzhou, China in 1998. Hangzhou Wahaha focuses on the food and beverage industry and China Cola takes third in market share in China behind Coca-Cola and Pepsi. In China the product is sold as "Future Cola" and uses a nationalist marketing campaign by naming it "The Chinese people's own cola". In America, China Cola is a licensed product of Reed's, Inc., which makes several beverages of its own. The bottle seen here to the left shows a bit of an asian theme. In China, where the copyright laws are more lax the packaging resembles that of Coca-Cola.

There is no sudden release of carbonation when opening a bottle of China Cola but you can still feel the effervescence in your mouth. Unlike some colas this drink has a rather light cola aroma. Upon first taste I find it to have a pleasing cola flavor with a very light herbal finish. There is no herbal after-taste but you will be able to taste it in the finish as it passes the rear of the tongue when you swallow. Among the cane sugar, this cola also contains an interesting variety of ingredients including: szechuan peony root, cassia bark, malaysian vanilla, oil of lemon, lime and orange, nutmeg, cloves, licorice, and cardamon. The herbal finish I mentioned earlier definitely tastes of nutmeg and cloves of which I am so familiar with due to my penchant for pumpkin pie. The list of included herbs were, according to Reed's, chosen for "their effect on digestion and the liver". In researching the ingredients it appears that peony root is believed to relax muscles, cleanse the blood and act as an emotional stabilizer. Cassia is a cinnamon tree, and may have some effects on blood sugar. In traditional Chinese medicine, cassia is considered one of the fifty fundamental herbs. Cardamon, also called cardamom, is of the ginger family and used as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, and digestive among other things. Nutmeg is often used to lower blood pressure or soothe stomach aches and generally to detox the body. Nutmeg is often used as an analgesic and is believed to prevent blood clots. Overall, I'm a fan of this drink's distinct flavor. It isn't overpowering but more "flowery", a good blend. I would definitely suggest trying some if you have a chance.

In the future I will be reviewing Cherry China Cola.