Bacchus-F
Bacchus (Korean: 박카스) is a non-carbonated South Korean energy drink, first launched in 1963. It has been called Bacchus-F before a change in formula in the 1990s, after which it was known as Bacchus-D to note the increased amount of Taurine in the product (2000mg). Both formula's are manufactured by Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., part of the Dong-A Socio Group; and is also distributed in the United States under the Dong-A America Corporation in a 3.3 oz glass bottle (approximately 1/3 the size of a Red Bull).[1]
History
Bacchus has been popular in South Korea for many years. Originally it was sold in pharmacies as an 'herbal medicine' to prevent colds and cure hangovers, rather than as an energy drink. The Bacchus D and F formula's are both manufactured and sold in South Korea at this time; neither line has been discontinued. The use of Bacchus-F among college aged adolescents is highly prevalent. [2]
It has recently risen to prominence in American culture alongside other popular energy drinks consumed in combination with alcohol, such as Vodka-Red Bull. The most common form of consumption is the "Bacchus Bomb", which is produced by pouring a full 3.3 oz bottle of Bacchus into a cup and subsequently dropping a shot glass filled with vodka into the cup, with the resulting mixture being consumed as rapidly as possible.[3][4]
The drink's similarity to the older Japanese drink Lipovitan, both in taste and design, has invited some controversy especially in the Japanese community.[citation needed] Currently a similar Thai energy drink from the 1970s known as Krathing Daeng has become even more popular than Lipovitan.[citation needed]
Ingredients
Bacchus contains the following ingredients:[5]
- water
- high fructose corn syrup
- sugar
- taurine
- inositol
- guaraná extract
- royal jelly
- nicotinamide
- pyridoxine hcl
- riboflavin sodium phosphate
- thiamine
- nitrate preserved with sodium benzoate
- ethanol
- citric acid anhydrous
- sorbitol
- apple juice
- sodium chloride
- natural essences(orange pineapple strawberry)
- artificial flavor
See also
- Bacchus Ladies - elderly prostitutes who sell the drinks
- List of energy drinks
- Tonotan
- Lipovitan - similar design and market loss to Red Bull
References
- ↑ (Korean) Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co. at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
- ↑ (Korean) The nation's drink at the pharmacy, Asia Economics, 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ↑ (Korean) Bacchus bomb drink at Doosan Encyclopedia
- ↑ (Korean) New bomb drinks, No Cut News, 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
- ↑ KGROCER.com - Ingredients
