Coca Colla facts for kids
Coca Colla is an energy drink made in Bolivia. Its main ingredient is an extract from the coca plant. The drink first went on sale in the Bolivian cities of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba in April 2010.
The name "Coca Colla" sounds similar to Coca-Cola, but it has a special meaning in Bolivia. The "Colla" part of the name comes from Qullasuyu. This was the name for the southern part of the ancient Inca Empire, which included western Bolivia. Today, the word Qulla is used for the Aymara and Quechua peoples. These are native groups in Bolivia who have used coca leaves in their traditions for centuries.
The creation of Coca Colla was part of a government plan to find new, legal uses for the coca plant. This plan was supported by Evo Morales, who was president of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019.
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What is Coca Colla?
Coca Colla is a dark-colored, sweet-tasting drink. It is sold in 500 ml bottles and has a red label with white letters.
The drink gets its unique flavor from coca leaf extracts. The coca plant is very important in the culture of the Andes mountains. However, the leaf also contains substances that are used to make an illegal substance. Because of this, products made from coca leaves are not allowed to be sold in many countries, including those in North America and Europe.
The Coca Leaf in Bolivia
A Traditional Plant
For thousands of years, the native peoples of the Andes mountains have used coca leaves. They use them in traditional medicine and in special ceremonies. Evo Morales, who was Bolivia's first president from a native group (the Aymara), wanted to support these traditions.
His government set aside land for growing coca plants legally. At one point, 30,000 acres (120 km2) of land was used for growing coca. The government planned to increase this to 80,000 acres (320 km2). The goal was to encourage legal products made from the plant, such as coca tea, toothpaste, and drinks like Coca Colla.
Challenges with Selling Abroad
Selling Coca Colla in other countries is difficult. Since 1961, a United Nations group called the International Narcotics Control Board has listed the coca leaf among controlled goods. This means most countries have laws against importing it.
For Coca Colla to be sold worldwide, these international and Bolivian laws would need to change. Despite these challenges, some countries have shown interest. For example, importers from Iran, a political and economic partner of Bolivia, said they would be interested in buying the drink.
Advertising the Drink
To let more people know about Coca Colla, the company that makes it worked with an advertising group. This campaign got people all over the world talking about the drink.
The main point of discussion was its main ingredient, the coca leaf. While the leaf is a traditional part of some cultures, it is illegal in many other places. The president of the company that makes Coca Colla, Victor Ledezma, said, "Coca is ours, coca is a Bolivian product." He wanted to emphasize that the plant is an important part of his country's heritage.
See also
In Spanish: Coca Colla para niños
- National Coca Company
- Stepan Company
