In recent
times the word `Goli Soda` became famous in Tamil Nadu as the title of a
successful Tamil feature film released in 2014, warranting a sequel titled `Goli Soda-2` which
is under production. It is also the name
of an online store in Chennai which showcases products of innovative designers
using recycled materials. But
to a whole generation of Indians, Goli soda, or Goti Soda meant a fruit
flavoured soft drink used to quench a thirsty throat in the sizzling summer
months. The popping of the `goli’ or the marble with the index finger would
pave the way for the fizz coming out of the bottle, which was an experience by
itself. When I had this experience at a party in Chennai recently, I decided to
explore the story behind the `Goli Soda`.
The bottle and the idea for the drink were imported into
India in the early 20th century. Hiram Codd of Camberwell, a Britisher,
designed, developed and patented the Codd Bottle for carbonated drinks in the
year 1872. Also termed as the Codd-neck bottle, it encloses a marble and a
rubber washer/gasket in the neck. The bottle is filled upside down, and
pressure of the gas in the bottle forces the marble against the washer, sealing
in the carbonation.
The 150-year-old eco friendly
bottle has remained unchanged over the years, and the design is quite
ingenious. One side of the bottle has two ridges on the neck. It is only from
this side that the drink can be poured out into a glass or straight into the
mouth. Try pouring it out the other side, and the marble automatically bobs up
and acts as a stopper.
The Codd Bottle became popular in Europe, Asia and
Australasia but not in USA. In Japan it is popular under the brand name Ramune,
available in 36 flavours. In India the
Codd Bottle is also known as kancha bottle, goli bottle, and soda bottle in
different parts of the country, Goli Soda being the most popular name:
available in two varieties viz. Plain Soda Water (Aerated Soda Water) and
Flavored Soda Water (Aerated Beverages) containing flavors of lemon, ginger
(Masala Soda), milk rose ( Panneer), mango, pineapple etc in syrup base and
this preparation is also made using carbon dioxide gas (Co2) under
pressure.
Goli Soda production
was essentially a cottage industry in India because of the ease with which the
manually operated system could be set up. In the olden days every well to do
family had a unit operating within their homes. The clinking and clanging sound
of the bottles by the vendors promoting various local brands of Goli soda was a
familiar sight near bus & rail terminals across the country.
The advent of the multinational soft drink brands like Coke
& Pepsi and a whole range of regional brands of soft drinks available in
disposable plastic bottles at affordable prices has almost sounded the death
knell for the traditional Goli Soda makers. Besides the high cost of the Codd
bottle and also stringent rules governing food & beverages have resulted in
many of the traditional bottlers of Goli Soda exiting the market. According to
a veteran Goli soda maker in the city, Madras had close to 500 soda
manufacturers in the 70s. The number today has dwindled to less than 30. Most of them are cheap products produced in
unhealthy surroundings without any quality checks and are sold at Rs 10/- or
less.
Kali Aerated Water Works, one of the oldest soft drink
manufacturers in the country with brands like Bovonto, had been a popular goli
soda maker in Tamil Nadu. They exited
the business because of difficulties involved in cleaning the bottle. The
shortage of glass bottles controlled by a single supplier in the country based
in UP also added to the conundrum.
There is hope for the revival of this business thanks to the initiatives
of some young entrepreneurs, professionals who have given up secure corporate
jobs in order to give the goli soda its fizz
back. In its new avathar Goli soda is
positioned as a premium product. In an attempt
to capitalize on the growing apprehensions about the negative effects of plastic
bottles on the health of the people they are promoting the eco friendly nature
of the glass bottles used in Goli Soda. The fact that the new brands are adhering to
quality standards prescribed by FSSAI and are produced in hygienic conditions
adds credibility to the new efforts.
The brands are also trying .to
invoke nostalgia in the old timers and
offer younger generation a new experience of drinking an alternative soft drink
in recyclable glass bottles, with less preservatives, chemicals and plastic
contaminants. The
negative publicity against the multinational brands and the decision of the
dealers to boycott such brands in Tamil Nadu last year have opened a window of
opportunity for the Goli Sodas in the highly competitive soft drink market.
Though priced at Rs. 50/- plus, (some high-end restaurants
sell the product at Rs.125/-) the growing popularity of Goli Soda among the
younger generation belonging to the upper class in Chennai, especially at
parties, high end restaurants and the popular clubs, where these brands are
available, provides hope for the revival of the Goli Soda idea. But how will
any new comer face the perennial problem of short supply of the Codd bottles,
when they decide to scale up, is an
issue for which there seems to be no immediate answer. Yet I am sure that the
youngsters will find a solution to the problem as and when they have to cross
that bridge!
The edited version of the above article has appeared in
Madras Musings issue
dt 1-15th May,2018.
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