I’m excited to finally introduce you to our latest creation from Soko by Baobab Fare—Fizzy, our sparkling beverages in two delicious flavors: Passion Fruit and Hibiscus. This launch isn't just about another drink on the shelves; it's a deeply personal journey that began nearly two years ago, rooted in pride, authenticity, and resilience.
The idea for Fizzy came naturally. Our original Passion Fruit Ji and Hibiscus Tea were already favorites in our community. But for me, the vision started years earlier, watching how soda giants replaced traditional, healthy beverages back home in Burundi. It troubled me that many in Africa felt pride drinking imported soda rather than our own vibrant, flavorful, and healthy local drinks. With Baobab Fare, we set out to reclaim our heritage, share our authentic flavors, and offer something uniquely ours—no imitations, no compromises.
In the summer of 2022, we embarked on turning that dream into reality. It started simply: mixing our Ji with sparkling water, inspired by quiet mornings and my love for sparkling beverages. But the path from idea to shelf was anything but easy.
At first, we thought it would be straightforward. After all, we were building on our proven recipes. We partnered with Cornell University, expecting quick success. But carbonation proved challenging, especially for Hibiscus. Each attempt failed, and the frustration grew until fate led us to an unexpected ally—a third-generation Italian soda expert in Rochester, New York. His gritty warehouse, smoky office, and confident wisdom brought a turning point. He instantly recognized the problem—our spices prevented the carbonation from staying put.
We adjusted our method, switching from powdered spices to whole spices during brewing. Passion Fruit seemed easier initially, but pasteurization issues with glass bottles forced a pivot to cans, launching another journey to perfect our packaging and process.
Despite setbacks—exploding cans, a devastating recall, and financial loss—we persisted. This wasn't just a business challenge; it was about standing firm in our commitment to quality and authenticity. After months of rigorous testing and meticulous adjustments, we finally found a dependable partner in Proper Beverage in Hudsonville, Michigan. With their state-of-the-art facilities and professional approach, Fizzy finally became the high-quality product we envisioned.
Today, we proudly introduce Fizzy, crafted from simple, natural ingredients—carbonated water, cane sugar, and authentic East African fruits and spices. Fizzy Passion Fruit bursts with tropical flavor, while Fizzy Hibiscus offers a uniquely tangy and refreshing experience.
But our mission doesn't stop here. Passion fruit prices remain high, and we're already working on long-term plans to grow our own passion fruit and hibiscus in Honduras. Our goal is clear: remove the middlemen, reduce costs, and ensure our beverages remain accessible to the community we proudly serve.
So when you grab a can of Fizzy, you're not just enjoying a drink. You're tasting our perseverance, our heritage, and our dreams realized.
It's not pop. It's Fizzy!