The Wild World of Chinese Pop

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

I’m addicted to pop. No matter how many times I tell the world I’m quitting it, I’m back to drinking the stuff the next day. I’ve written articles about it, and I’ve posted on Facebook about my addiction. Writing doesn’t seem to help motivate me into quitting the stuff.

One of the biggest reasons for that is every month, it seems, there’s a new flavor. Every time I say, “I’m done!” there’s a new one I need to try. Maybe when I’m back in the States it’ll be easier to quit. But for now, I might as well have fun with all these new flavors.

What’s so special about pop in China?

Regular Coke, Coke Zero, Coke with Fiber, Sprite with Fiber, Sprite, Cucumber Sprite with Fiber, Diet Sprite, and Raspberry Pepsi

China is full of unique foods and flavored drinks. I didn’t know what lychees were until I came to Beijing, for example. It was also the first time it occurred to me yogurt could be a tasty beverage. I’ve seen lots of flavors for their own brands of pops. They could be anything from Green Apple to Banana. But the main ones I drink are the different kinds of Coke and Pepsi.

China accepts all kinds of pop. Especially Coke and Pepsi. So when I see them in the stores, I don’t just see Chinese flavors. I’ve seen flavors imported from Japan and Southeast Asia…