RC Cola

Many people today probably do not know what RC stands for, but here's the story, borrowed heavily from my earlier post on Nehi. In 1905, a pharmacist named Claude Hatcher founded the Union Bottling Works in Columbus, Georgia. Claude's company focused primarily on the production of his sodas Chero-Cola and Royal Crown Ginger Ale. Due to the popularity of Chero-Cola, the company changed its name to the Chero-Cola Company in 1912. 

By 1924, Chero-Cola Co. released a line of flavored sodas under the name Nehi. The two major myths about the root of this name boil down to their calling the competition only "knee-high" when compared to their drink. In 1928, the company changed it's name again to the Nehi Corporation.

Claude Hatcher died in 1933 and the new president of the company, H.R. Mott led the development of a new cola drink and using Hatcher's old brand name, called it Royal Crown Cola. Never ceasing to ride the waves of popularity, Nehi, changed its name again in 1955 to the Royal Crown Company. Today the company is owned by and under management of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

Even though it's now part of a large conglomerate I still hold a warm spot for RC because it's such an underdog in the cola market compared to Coca-Cola and Pepsi. RC Cola is closer to Pepsi in flavor than Coca-Cola. By that I mean I don't find it as sweet, more of a crisp bitterness to it. I also enjoy it's level of carbonation. Funny to say, but as often as I've had RC, I can't remember ever having tasted Diet RC, but you're sure to see it on this blog eventually. If drink a good deal of cola, mix things up and pick up some RC next time. Or if you're donating blood, like I'm apt to do at times, get a free taste there since they often have it next to the snacks for donors.