I was listening on the weekend to this BBC News story about Irn Bru making its way into Algeria’s market. The distaste of the stuff by reporter Chloe Arnold was rather entertaining, but the nationalist pride around the drink has been what’s most fascinating. 

As one of the most popular soft drinks — if not the most popular soft drink — in Scotland, I often see empty cans and bottles of the blue and orange littered everywhere in any town and city I visit. As a mix of various colourings and chemicals, including caffeine with a tinge of citrus flavoring, Irn Bru has also long served as a strong and popular mixer. 

The bright, almost flourescent orange of the drink caught my eye at the local chippy’s, but I’ve never really cared for pops and sodas too much. On more than one occasion have I been asked by a fellow foreigner if I’ve tried Irn Bru, as if tasting this orange pop is an unsaid test to the Scottish experience.

I did try a sip of the bright orange fizz, and my preference towards soft drinks in general remains consistent. However, it’s good to have an option that competes against the global mega corporations if I ever do crave a shot of glucose and food colouring. 

A written report is available here.

Image credit from the BBC