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March 05, 2003

Guarana

Probably the single most interesting drink I've ever had that is non-alcoholic, Guarana is also probably the hardest thing to find. My sister first introduced me to it after she had done some traveling around the world. I can remember that night well, we went to a restaurant called Brazils is Old City Philadelphia. She went completely nuts at finding this on the menu, and promptly drank about 4 bottles of it. She was wired for the rest of the night.

The bottle it came in was rather nondescript. It was a transparent green color, with a pasted on paper label. The label had a funky design on it that I can't really remember. But it tasted pretty good. In fact, I think it tasted kind of like a cheaply made vanilla cream soda, but not as sugary sweet. It looks like a ginger ale.

Turns out guarana is not only tasty, but a wonderfully high caffeinated substance! Thankfully the wonders of modern marketing have realized a need for such a drink, and as such we can now find guarana in plenty of new and interesting products (mostly drinks). The one I'd really like to try: Vodka and jelly.... weird.

Tonight though broke my guaranaless string of days. I discovered that a local mini-mart has it in a cooler, hidden in the back area. I sort of found it by mistake as I stumbled in, looking for something to eat at 11 p.m., tired, and annoyed. I passed on the usual mini-mart deal, the fudge stripped cookies and some pringles (thanks OddTodd) and continued to just sort of wonder to the back in a daze. Now realize that the isles in this place are about 2 feet wide, so wondering isn't exactly something easily accomplished for anyone, especially when the floor has boxes of stuff all over it too. I stumbled on a box and in my recovery I saw it. The green bottle I remembered from oh so long ago. I picked up two, and brought them instantly to the counter. $2.50. Not too bad. What I really don't know are, which are the better ones to jump in and get? It's not like buying a single bottle that you can force yourself to drink all of because it's only one bottle. These mail order places force you to buy a case at a time. Thats 24 bottles of potential gag-inducing flavor, and one helluva price tag to pay for gagging! You could buy a bottle of ipecac syrup for less and get the same feeling! So if you have a suggestion on which to try, I'd appreciate hearing your opinions.

Two bottles later and I'm wired... a very odd feeling given that I don't usually drink soda or caffeinated beverages.

Now I know you can buy guarana drinks in the US via mail order and what have you. Unfortunately, I haven't had a steady address that I could order the stuff and have it delivered to since I've discovered the drinks. Don't even begin to ask about the money part too... for now I'm just happy to have some guarana when I need it.

Posted by Dan at March 5, 2003 09:20 PM

Comments

Posted by: Leo at June 7, 2003 09:52 PM

Posted by: Dan at July 11, 2004 12:49 PM