Carbonated soft drinks are widely consumed with food. Carbonated soft drinks do not have any alcohol content. There are several bottlers who have introduced a variety of flavors like orange, grape, strawberry, lime, lemon, etc. The orange flavor is among the top fruit flavors. Their sales go higher during summers when the orange flavor proves soothing, cooling and refreshing. The favorite brands are Orange Crush, Fanta, Sunkist, Slice Orange, etc. Pepsi Bottling Group now distributes the popular carbonated soft drink -Orange crush. They acquired the distribution rights for the brand from Dr Pepper Snapple group Inc.
There can be different bottlers for different countries or regions for a concentrate producer. The main job of bottlers is to convert basic flavors into carbonated soft drink. These are packed into cans and bottles and sent to stores for distribution. Some experts suggest that consumption of soft drinks is not healthy with its acidic nature The soft drinks often have pH of 3.0 which is much higher than distilled water. Studies suggest it may lead to tooth decay, nutritional depletion, calcium displacement, obesity in kids and adults alike. However, bottlers portray orange drinks as healthier options.
Among the first orange soft drinks, Orange Crush was developed in 1916. It was made from oil of orange skins. Only in 1921 did they add orange juice as an ingredient along with pure sugar syrup, citric acid and food grade colors. It kept on growing till the 1970’s. New flavors were introduced to the Crush brand. Orange Crush was a rage in the 70s and 80’s. Cadbury Beverages bought it from Procter and Gamble in 1989. They revived it with a new look. Some new flavors like Tropical punch and Crush Peach were also introduced. Some more orange soft drink brands like Fanta, Sunkist and Orange Slice came into the market after 1980 and reduced the dominance of Orange Crush in the carbonated orange soft drink market. You may not have seen it as much in stores in the last few years.
However, an agreement was signed in late January 2009 between the Pepsi bottling group and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. which owns the Orange Crush brand. February 2009 onwards, Orange Crush would be handled by bottlers, Pepsi Bottling group in most of their territories around US. In Canada it would be handled by Cadbury Beverages Canada. In Latin America it is Coca- Cola Company that is the bottler for Orange crush.
Popularity of Fanta, Orange Slice, Sunkist, etc have risen in the last few years. Fanta from Coca-Cola Company overtook Orange Crush in 90s. PepsiCo launched Orange slice in 1984. Sunkist Orange Soda is also a popular drink and the only orange soft drink with caffeine manufactured by Dr Pepper Snapple group.
Pepsi Bottling Group is marketing Orange Crush along with their other products. Orange Crush fans can now enjoy their favorite drink being made available at several stores around US. It’s lingering, tingling taste and refreshing flavor is best for hot summers. Those who have already tried it find its taste as authentic as in the 1970’s.