Lemon & Paeroa
Encyclopedia
Lemon & Paeroa, also known as L&P, is a sweet soft drink
manufactured in New Zealand
. Traditionally made by combining lemon juice
with carbonated mineral water
from the town of Paeroa
, it is now manufactured by multi-national Coca-Cola
.
Lemon & Paeroa can be found only in New Zealand and in speciality New Zealand stores abroad. The paradox
ical advertising slogan "World famous in New Zealand
" has become a popular New Zealand saying meaning that if New Zealand included the whole world, then it would be world famous.
Over the years attempts have been made to market variations, such as L&P dry. In 2005 "Sweet As L&P" with artificial sweetener aspartame
was introduced with the modified slogan "World Famous in New Zealand since quite recently", the traditional product now being advertised as "World Famous in New Zealand since AGES ago".
L&P is also often used as a mixer in New Zealand bars, particularly with Southern Comfort
.
Although L&P itself is now made on the same production line as Coke's other beverages, an L&P Kiwiana
shop and café
remains in Paeroa.
Analysis of Paeroa mineral water by Arthur Wohlman in 1904 revealed magnesium bicarbonate
in a concentration of 73 grains to the gallon. In 1908 the property containing the mineral spring was purchased by Robert Fewell and his brother-in-law Frank Brinkler. Their company Paeroa Natural Mineral Water Company, bottled the spring water until 1915 when they sold the company to Menzies and Company who, in turn, opened a new factory in Paeroa in 1926. In the late 1940s 'Lemon and Paeroa' and 'Paeroa and Lemon' were both marketed. In 1963 Menzies and Co merged with Hamilton based bottlers CL Innes, and L&P took on the Innes Tartan
as a motif on the neck of the L&P bottle. This continued until the late 1970s, when L&P was taken over by Oasis Industries, before it was, in turn, taken over by Coca Cola.
In the late 1980s, a collaboration of New Zealand music artists recorded a cover of Martha and the Vandellas
song (Love is Like A) Heat Wave
, to promote the drink.
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
manufactured in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Traditionally made by combining lemon juice
Lemon juice
The lemon fruit, from a citrus plant, provides a useful liquid when squeezed. Lemon juice, either in natural strength or concentrated, is sold as a bottled product, usually with the addition of preservatives and a small amount of lemon oil.-Uses:...
with carbonated mineral water
Mineral water
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
from the town of Paeroa
Paeroa
Paeroa is a small town in New Zealand, in the northern Waikato region of the Thames Valley. Located at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, it is close to the junction of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers, 20 kilometres from the coast at the Firth of Thames...
, it is now manufactured by multi-national Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer, retailer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. The company is best known for its flagship product Coca-Cola, invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia...
.
Lemon & Paeroa can be found only in New Zealand and in speciality New Zealand stores abroad. The paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
ical advertising slogan "World famous in New Zealand
World famous in New Zealand
The phrase "World famous in New Zealand" is a commonly used phrase within New Zealand. It is used to describe items that though famous within New Zealand are unknown in the rest of the world, whereas similar items and people in larger countries would have a far higher media profile and would...
" has become a popular New Zealand saying meaning that if New Zealand included the whole world, then it would be world famous.
Over the years attempts have been made to market variations, such as L&P dry. In 2005 "Sweet As L&P" with artificial sweetener aspartame
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. In the European Union, it is codified as E951. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. It was first sold under the brand name NutraSweet; since 2009 it...
was introduced with the modified slogan "World Famous in New Zealand since quite recently", the traditional product now being advertised as "World Famous in New Zealand since AGES ago".
L&P is also often used as a mixer in New Zealand bars, particularly with Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort is an American liqueur made from neutral spirits with fruit, spice and whiskey flavourings. The brand was originally created by bartender Martin Wilkes Heron in New Orleans in 1874, and is now owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation...
.
Although L&P itself is now made on the same production line as Coke's other beverages, an L&P Kiwiana
Kiwiana
Kiwiana are certain items and icons from New Zealand's heritage, especially from around the middle of the 20th century that are seen as representing iconic Kiwi elements...
shop and café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
remains in Paeroa.
Analysis of Paeroa mineral water by Arthur Wohlman in 1904 revealed magnesium bicarbonate
Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals...
in a concentration of 73 grains to the gallon. In 1908 the property containing the mineral spring was purchased by Robert Fewell and his brother-in-law Frank Brinkler. Their company Paeroa Natural Mineral Water Company, bottled the spring water until 1915 when they sold the company to Menzies and Company who, in turn, opened a new factory in Paeroa in 1926. In the late 1940s 'Lemon and Paeroa' and 'Paeroa and Lemon' were both marketed. In 1963 Menzies and Co merged with Hamilton based bottlers CL Innes, and L&P took on the Innes Tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
as a motif on the neck of the L&P bottle. This continued until the late 1970s, when L&P was taken over by Oasis Industries, before it was, in turn, taken over by Coca Cola.
In the late 1980s, a collaboration of New Zealand music artists recorded a cover of Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967...
song (Love is Like A) Heat Wave
(Love is Like a) Heat Wave
" Heat Wave" is a 1963 hit single penned by the Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team and made popular by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. It was originally released in July 1963, on the Motown subsidiary label Gordy, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot...
, to promote the drink.