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| Guarana Jesus with the 2010 emblem |
It’s pink, it’s bubbly, it tastes like cinnamon and cloves, and as you’re taking a sip you want to know just what is this drink? The name of this festive soda is Jesus (Jeh-zeus), and is fabricated and sold only in the state of Maranhão where São Luis is the capital city. The soda was an accidental product made in the 1920’s by the pharmacist Jesus Gomes who was working on the formula for a medication with the ingredient guarana, which contains caffeine and several other stimulates. The medication failed but the resulting drinkable product was a success, and the Gomes family began to sell the drink with the inclusion of the founder’s name as Guarana Jesus and the slogan, “The Pink Dream”.  |
| Guarana Jesus Promoters at São Luis Fashion |
Guarana Jesus now sits on a mantle among the many symbols of Maranhão and is the most popular drink sold here. Today the pink drink can be seen all over São Luis in the happy hands of children, parents, and grandparents alike. The Coca-Cola Company bought the soda from Companhia Maranhense de Refrigerantes under the condition that it will continue to be made and sold exclusively in Maranhao.
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| Relaxing day at the beach |
In 2008 Coca-Cola held a competition among the people in São Luis to enter and pick a new emblem for Guarana Jesus and in 2010 the drink arrived on the market with the new emblem truly representing the people of Maranhão.The drink is more than just a success it has become a part of the culture being seen at parties with trays flowing with champagne, whiskey, and that pink, happy drink Jesus. On the beach Jesus seems to be just as common of a sight as sun screen. Looking at the delighted faces of the people drinking Jesus leads one to wonder if maybe it is a medicine for loving life.
Fun Fact: My favorite time to drink Jesus is at a churrasco, which is a barbecue, because the sweetness from the soda helps wash down some of the saltiness from the meat.
