Therapeutic Benefits, “Exotic” Amazonian Origins, and Nationalist Cachet

April 6, 2023 3:34 PM

Given that nationalist symbols of Brazil’s so-called racial democracy such as soccer, samba, and Carnival have generated ample scholarly attention, guaraná’s historiographical sidelining is noteworthy. Because guaraná never formed part of the slave-plantation complex, nor featured as a large-scale export commodity, the crop did not generate the trove of documentation of other Brazilian agricultural products, such as coffee and sugar. Unlike cocaine, opium, or marijuana, guaraná was never criminalized, sparing its consumers stigma and arrest, but excluding the drug from the vast documentation of state bureaucracies implicated in the coercive biopolitics of industrial capitalism and the racialized construction of vice in modern societies. And while the ingredient features today in energy drinks worldwide, guaraná soft drinks have not attained the fame of Coca-Cola, whose global brand recognition owes to U. S. political and corporate hegemony. from A Taste of Brazil: How Guaraná Soda Became a National Icon
posted by chavenet (10 comments total)

I had my first guaraná at a churrascaria in Queens that my friends and I frequented in the mid-late 90's. I loved it! I think the place is closed now, but for a long time I associated that drink with copious skewers of meat consumed by good pals.
posted by grumpybear69 at 3:52 PM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Back in the ‘80s I drank many bottles of a Guarana based soda called "RioCo" imported from Brazil and sold in sixpacks by DiLaurenti's deli in the Pike Place Market in Seattle.

It was Meyer lemon colored, light and citrusy, and I was surprised to find the caffeine came from a bean.
posted by jamjam at 4:45 PM on April 6, 2023 [2 favorites]

My local Shop-Rite carries Guaraná Antarctica. I tried some once. It wasn't bad... but it was the kind of drink that made me glad that I had no access to it in college, as I might've turned myself into a twitching hermit crab by overindulging in it for allnighter purposes.
posted by delfin at 5:40 PM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

I first got introduced to Guaraná Antarctica from a corner store in San Francisco’s mission district. It’s one of those things I don’t seek out, but when I see it I grab one. There was a Brazilian restaurant down the street from my old office that was a good place to catch World Cup games during the work day and I always ordered Guaraná Antarctica
posted by CostcoCultist at 5:45 PM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Back in the ‘80s I drank many bottles of a Guarana based soda called "RioCo" imported from Brazil and sold in sixpacks by DiLaurenti's deli in the Pike Place Market in Seattle.

¡Ditto!
posted by y2karl at 6:00 PM on April 6, 2023 [3 favorites]

I love guaraná soda and wish it was easily available here.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:30 PM on April 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

Mod note: Comment removed. The post is about Brazil, there's no need to interject USA products.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:37 AM on April 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

I am also a huge fan and keep an eye out at the little Asian market for it - they have it occasionally but not consistently and I lament.
posted by restless_nomad at 7:00 AM on April 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Market Basket in Massachusetts always has two things that I grab when I see them: Antarctica soda, and Dafruta Cashew Juice which, if you haven't had it, you should.
posted by 1adam12 at 8:26 AM on April 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

You used to be able to get Bawls Guarana soda pretty easily where I live, and now I can’t find it (and I’m in Manhattan). I’m guessing from the name that it’s probably not actually Brazilian, but above and beyond the actual soda, which I loved, it came / comes in these awesome cobalt bump-studded bottles which were super satisfying to hold.
posted by Mchelly at 6:08 AM on April 9, 2023 [1 favorite]