Dr Pepper Canada’s official website claims that their product is not root beer but, in fact, is made from 23 different flavors, which the company is adamant not to reveal. It is simply a soda and is considered a big brand in the United States, closely following Pepsi and Coca-Cola. The most astonishing fact about Dr Pepper is that the soda is named after a real Dr. Charles Pepper.
What makes Dr Pepper different from root beer?
Root beer is made either using sarsaparilla vine or the sassafras tree bark. It is a sweet-tasting beverage with a refreshing and minty tone. It can also include flavors such as sweet birch, cherry bark, licorice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and acacia. While Dr Pepper might have certain flavors in common with a typical root beer, it is not made in the same way, nor does it contain the same basic ingredients. Hence, it is in no way root beer.
Many people think of Dr Pepper as having a distinct taste that is quite different from other soda brands or root beer. Yet, at the same time, they are unable to tell exactly what sets it apart because its exact ingredients are hard to pinpoint. It is, at the same time, spicy, sweet, and fruity, which is what makes it a preferred beverage for many, especially people living in the United States. It also contains caffeine, which helps provide an instant kick.
The drink’s history
The carbonated soda first came into the market in the 1880s in the central Texan town of Waco. Its inventor, Charles Alderton, was a pharmacist who spent a lot of his time producing and selling medicine to his clients. But, at the same time, he was searching for a way to create a flavor in the form of syrup that could smell like his outlet. After many attempts at mixing different ingredients to create an ideal fruity formula, he finally landed on the perfect mixture that he was proud of.
He noted all his methods and work in a special notebook which people were able to locate in 2009 in an antique store in Texas. The journal listed all the ingredients used to prepare the Dr Peppers Pepsin Bitter. A few ingredients used included wahoo bark, mandrake root, glycerin, syrup, sweet flag root, and bitter orange peel. However, the official company that produces Dr Pepper has not made any claims related to this journal, nor has it verified its authenticity.
The drink started being widely marketed and distributed in the United States in 1904, and now it enjoys a good market share in continents such as Asia, Europe, and America. It is also imported into New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
The slow and steady rise in popularity of Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper was so in demand as soon as its first launch that beverage companies in Waco started purchasing the formula. However, this meant that more had to be produced to keep up with the demand, and the owners did not have enough manpower or resources to keep delivering. Some years later, Dr Pepper Company was introduced in the market, and the production grew.
Is Dr Pepper healthy?
Dr Pepper contains zero nutrients and a lot of sugar. This does not make it the healthiest drink in town, but people are still attracted to it. It is important to note that while its occasional consumption might be okay, developing a regular habit might lead to significant health problems such as weight issues, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
If you have been drinking too much soda and are concerned that you might be at risk of developing these diseases, it might be a good idea to pay your doctor a visit and get a thorough check-up. There are also other ways to stay healthy such as:
Getting plenty of exercise
Exercise not only helps with maintaining a good weight but also helps regulate blood and lymphatic flow around the body, keeps your muscles in shape, helps improve your mood, and decreases your stress levels. There is a reason why healthcare professionals emphasize so much on the benefits of daily exercise. Even if you work out for 30 minutes per day, you are already on your way to a healthier life.
Eating right
A healthy combination of fruits, vegetables, lentils, and good fats will help you obtain the right balance of all the essential nutrients. You should make it a habit to eat a whole range of foods so that your body is able to get all that it needs to maintain itself. Also, remember to eat the right quantity of food so that you don’t end up eating too little or too much.
Sleeping on time
We often neglect this aspect, but it is extremely important. It is crucial to sleep on time and get enough sleep so that you are not tired throughout the day and are able to function optimally. This will help you to be productive and have the energy to accomplish all the important tasks.
Is Dr Pepper a popular drink used to make cocktails?
Unfortunately, neither Dr Pepper nor root beer are popular drinks to be mixed and had with alcohol. They just don’t go well together and people usually prefer mixing alcohol with other sodas such as coke.
Dr Pepper certainly has a rich history, and the fact that it competes well in the market shows how popular it is the world over. However, since it is a soda containing nothing but sugar, it needs to be consumed with care keeping in mind the harm that it can do to our bodies. If you are conscious of this, well-informed, and maximize your consumption of healthy foods, you will definitely be able to lead a healthier life.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
