Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and the delicious taste of Fanta. Seriously. This is one drink that will never let you down.
Can you imagine a world without these colorful beverages lining the shelves at grocery stores? We know we sure can’t! There’s just something about that fizz that leaves us wanting more.
And clearly, we’re not the only ones who can’t get enough of it. Today, Fanta is one of the top-selling sodas in the entire world (and for a good reason, too!). Millions of consumers purchase and enjoy these drinks daily (us included).
So how did Fanta come to be? What are its most popular flavors? How do the flavors differ worldwide? In this blog, we’re answering these questions and more. So grab an excellent ol’ can of Fanta, and let’s get right into it!
What is Fanta’s History?
Believe it or not, Fanta launched during World War II. The carbonated beverage originated as a Coca-Cola alternative in Germany in the 1940s, thanks to German businessman Max Keith.
Fun fact: your favorite beverage, Fanta, is owned by The Coca-Cola Company. That’s right! The company behind the Coke cans you’ve seen your whole life is the manufacturer of Fanta as well. Who would’ve thought?
Coke was first introduced to the world in 1886 by Atlanta pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton. By 1895, it was a prominent part of every state in the country. So naturally, the next step was to develop an international brand presence.
In 1923, Robert Woodruff became the president of The Coca-Cola Company. And almost instantly, he set his international expansion plan in motion. Under his leadership, the company created the Foreign Department and established bottling plants in dozens of countries. By 1929, Coca-Cola was a thing in Germany, and it’s safe to say that business was booming.
Run by Ray Rivington Powers, the German subsidiary saw a massive increase in sales. However, trouble soon came knocking on the company’s door. As talented as he was, Powers was often forgetful and did not pay much attention to financial statements. And well, you can guess what happened next.
To make matters worse, Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933. Yikes. So on top of the financial mess, the German subsidiary also had to worry about the reign of the Third Reich. Needless to say, many things were about to change for Germany and Coca-Cola.
Enter Max Keith, a German businessman with an undying allegiance to Coca-Cola. To say that the man was passionate about the beverage would be an understatement.
Often described as imposing and intimidating, Keith was devoted to the company more than he was to his own country! That says a lot, doesn’t it? So, of course, his top priority at the time was to save the company’s accounts from sinking.
As the war escalated, so did the economic uncertainty. In 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and declared war on Europe. Then, in 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, which proved to be a turning point for the U.S. Shortly after the attack, America entered the war and labeled Germany an enemy.
After formally joining the war, the U.S. imposed an embargo and stopped all business with the enemy. Because of this ban, Keith no longer had constant access to the signature Coca-Cola syrup, which meant there was no way for the subsidiary to produce the beverage.
Keith knew he had to take action quickly, and so he did! His brilliant idea was to develop an alternate beverage and tailor it to the German market. Pretty impressive, right?
Without wasting any time, he asked a group of chemists to create a caffeinated drink similar to Coke. Interestingly, the beverage was made from scraps like apple fibers and whey.
The next step was to give the recipe a name. And to do so, Keith asked his team to use their imagination freely. So when salesman Joe Knipp pitched Fanta, a shortening of the German word for fantasy, as a potential name, it was an instant hit.
Since there weren’t many other soda alternatives, Fanta rose to fame overnight. And by 1943, it had already sold 3 million cases! So if you think about it, this sweet drink actually saved the whole company.
In 1945, the war finally came to an end. And when American troops entered Germany that year, production of Fanta came to a halt. But don’t worry, it didn’t stay that way for long.
Fast forward to 1955, and the bright orange Fanta we know and love today was reintroduced in Italy. This time, the beverage was made from local citrus ingredients, not leftovers. By 1958, the drink had made its way to America, and the rest is history!
How Many Different Fanta Flavors Are There?
Lucky for all of you Fanta fans, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of flavors for you to consume! Listing all of them would be difficult, but we’ve listed all the popular ones for you below.
In the U.S., here are the different flavors you can enjoy:
- Fanta Orange
- Fanta Pineapple
- Fanta Strawberry
- Fanta Grape
- Fanta Peach
- Fanta Orange Zero Sugar
- Fanta Piña Colada
- Fanta Berry
- Fanta Orange Cream Zero Sugar (limited edition)
- Fanta Dragon Fruit Zero Sugar (limited edition)
Yum. Let’s not forget that these are just the drinks available in America! Flavors differ from country to country, so you’re sure to find many other exciting options worldwide (more on that in another section). Plus, some Fanta drinks are limited edition, so if we were to count all of the ones from the past, this list would be endless. Talk about variety!
What is the Rarest Flavor of Fanta?
Okay, we’re all used to seeing and drinking the Orange Fanta, but you’d be surprised just how many other options are out there. One of the rarest flavors that comes to mind is the Fanta Okinawa Shikuwasa in Japan.
What is shikuwasa, you ask? It’s a green, tangy citrus fruit that’s sort of like a lemon. Grown specifically on a Japanese island named Okinawa, this fruit is delicious in every sense of the word.
As the name suggests, Fanta Okinawa Shikuwasa includes this fruit, and honestly, it is so refreshing. Though the drink is typically hard to find, you can try your luck online. And hey, if you’re visiting Okinawa yourself, even better!
This is just one of the many uncommon Fantas out there. Keep reading to learn more about incredible international flavors!
What is the New Mystery Flavor?
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? This year, Fanta introduced a limited-edition series of mysteriously flavored beverages and simultaneously launched the #WhatTheFanta campaign. If you’re wondering what the current blue flavor is, the answer is orange cream!
Yes, you heard that right! The blue zero-sugar soda that hit the markets this year is orange cream. Of course, we were just as surprised when we found out, but it is what it is. Plus, it was a mystery, after all.
According to Fanta, here’s what you’ll find in this secretive drink:
- Carbonated water
- Citric acid
- Natural flavors
- Potassium sorbate
- Sodium benzoate
- Aspartame
- Acesulfame potassium
- Blue 1
And here are the nutrition facts:
- 0 calories
- 0 grams of fat
- 65 milligrams of sodium
- 0 grams of sugar
- 0 grams of protein
- 70 milligrams of potassium
If you want more information, feel free to visit their website! Oh, and don’t forget to visit your nearest grocery store to get your hands on this soda! Remember: it’s only here for a limited time. Tick tock!
How Do Flavors Differ in Other Countries?
The fun just doesn’t stop, does it? You’ll be happy to know that there are countless exciting Fanta flavors worldwide. The possibilities are endless, from the Fanta Guaraná in Brazil to the Fanta Shokata in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Fanta Exotic in Norway!
To start, let’s talk about the Fanta Guaraná, shall we? Native to the Amazon, guaraná is a plant known for its highly caffeinated fruit seeds. Today, it is a common ingredient in soft drinks, and Fanta is no exception! The soda proudly represents guarana culture and tastes incredible while it’s at it.
Next up, we have the Fanta Shokata. This drink has notes of lemon and elderflower, and it’s a unique alternative to traditional soda flavors. Plus, just look at the color. That blue is impossible to resist.
Last, let’s talk about the Fanta Exotic. This exotic, tropical drink will make you feel like you’re having the time of your life! It tastes like orange, peach, and passionfruit. What could be better than that?
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s out there. Feel free to browse the international versions of Fanta’s website to explore the different options! Don’t blame us if you get tempted to try all of them.
Conclusion
If we’re being honest, there are few things better in life than a can of chilled Fanta.
Something about that fanta-stic (see what we did there?) fizz makes us feel like everything will be okay. It’s bright, bubbly, and refreshing. What’s not to love?
Countless individuals enjoy this drink worldwide, and it’s not hard to see why. The colorful packaging and fun advertising only add to its appeal. It really can’t get any better than that.
If you haven’t tried Fanta already, what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest convenience store or order on good ol’ Amazon! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this fruity treat.
