**History of Inca Kola**:
– Created in Peru in 1935 by Joseph Robinson Lindley, a British immigrant.
– Flavor is sweet and fruity, resembling lemon verbena.
– Launched with a unique flavor based on thirteen plant-derived flavors.
– Became a market leader in Lima by the mid-1940s.
– Source of national pride in Peru.
**Market Competition**:
– Inca Kola’s market share in Peru increased due to fast-food chains including it in their menus.
– Coca-Cola acquired half of Inca Kola Perú and one-fifth of Corporación José R. Lindley S.A.
– Faced competition from other local brands in Peru.
– Corporación José R. Lindley S.A. purchased two-thirds of Embotelladora Latinoamericana S.A.
– Bottled by the Coca-Cola Company in Ecuador and the United States.
**Competitors and Similar Brands**:
– Direct competitors include Isaac Kola, Oro, and Triple Kola.
– Irn-Bru, a Scottish soft drink, shares a similar flavor profile with Inca Kola.
– Viva is another direct competitor to Inca Kola.
– Inca Kola is a notable soft drink by country.
**Market Penetration and Acquisitions**:
– Inca Kola’s market penetration reached 38% by 1970 in Peru.
– Coca-Cola acquired half of Inca Kola Perú in 1999.
– Corporación José R. Lindley S.A. purchased two-thirds of Embotelladora Latinoamericana S.A. in 2005.
**Additional Information and References**:
– Inca Kola is bottled by the Coca-Cola Company in Ecuador and the United States.
– Explore more soft drinks on the Drinkportal.
– References to the launch and acquisitions related to Inca Kola.
Inca Kola (also known as "the Golden Kola" in international advertising) is a soft drink that was created in Peru in 1935 by British immigrant Joseph Robinson Lindley. The soda has a sweet, fruity flavor that somewhat resembles its main ingredient, lemon verbena (not to be confused with lemongrass, both of which can be known as hierbaluisa in Spanish). Americans compare its flavor to bubblegum or cream soda, and it is sometimes categorized as a champagne cola.
 | |
| Type | Soft drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Corporación José R. Lindley S.A. |
| Country of origin | Peru |
| Introduced | 1935 |
| Related products | Coca-Cola, Kola Real |
| Website | www |
The Coca-Cola Company owns the Inca Kola trademark everywhere but in Peru. In Peru, the Inca Kola trademark is owned by Corporación Inca Kola Perú S.A., which since 1999 is a joint venture between The Coca-Cola Company and the Lindley family, former sole owners of Corporación Inca Kola Perú S.A. and Corporación Lindley S.A.
Inca Kola is a source of national pride and patriotism in Peru. Inca Kola is available in parts of South America, North America and Europe, and while it has not enjoyed major success outside Peru, it can be found in Latin American specialty shops worldwide. Inca Kola is sold in bottles and cans and has an Inca motif.