Opinion
The colorful Punica juice drinks were quietly and secretly withdrawn from the market. The company probably didn’t expect the many German fans of the sweet liquid – including our author.
And suddenly she was gone. Gone off the supermarket shelves, just like that. Punica was part of the German fruit juice culture – who would have thought that someone would write this word? – like Valensina or Hohes C. When we all watched linear television, advertisements for the brightly colored drink were part of it. Many probably remember the “Punica Oasis” where you can quench your thirst.
As the absence of the popular beverage began to be noticed by customers, there was an isolated reaction on social media, particularly on Twitter. “Where do I get my colorful sugar water from then?” joked one user. Unjustified, as true connoisseurs know, because as any girl growing up in the ’90s could appreciate, Punica contained no sugar but instead zero-calorie sweetener and plenty of water to dilute. And no, we don’t want to start a discussion about sweeteners here.
Punica was part of the German beverage culture
It was a strange mixture, this Punica. Hardly edible at room temperature, fresh from the fridge but really tasty. Sweet and artificial, but actually good for quenching thirst. More interesting than water and healthier than soft drinks (at least a few vitamins and a bit of juice should actually have been in it). It will be missing. Because what do you drink if you want to fight a hangover and thirst at the same time in the morning after a long party? You can’t and shouldn’t drink “real” juice in such quantities, your hips wouldn’t thank you either. Spritzers are just something completely different. Cola? Yes, but there are no vitamins in it. Icetea? Just a different audience.
Punica had found its peculiar niche, loved by children, teenagers and adults alike. It is all the more strange that the end of such a popular brand was not even officially announced. Apparently one had hoped that the remaining bottles would just sell off and nobody would ask about them. However, the owners, PepsiCo and Tropicana, hadn’t counted on the fans of the Punica oasis!
The end was decided quietly and without feeling
Compared to the star the company confirmed the appointment in business German that was as cool as it was spongy: “Over the course of the last year, TBG (Tropicana Brands Group, editor’s note) worked to strengthen its operations as an independent entity and set its long-term strategy. The Punica store is one of the brands that will be included in the scope of the joint venture. However, after reviewing the company’s strategic priorities, the team at Tropicana Brands Group made the difficult decision to phase out the brand entirely.”
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A company is already called Tropicana and then, as the first official act, it hires what feels like the most tropical juice brand in the nation? A decision that you as a mere sad customer probably don’t have to be able to understand. In any case, one thing is clear: Punica was unrivaled in its fruity wateriness – and fans must now see how they can fight the drought in their hearts from now on. Punica, we will miss you!
Source: Stern
