In the same year that a certain global drinks brand is set to dominate the capital with sponsorship of the London 2012 Games, two East London chefs have chosen to launch their own, very original, take on the ever popular cola.
Dalston Cola is made using kola nuts, the ingredient reputedly used to make the original Coca Cola. Although the similarities between the origins, look and feel of the two drinks end there.
Dalston Cola is a lower in sugar, zesty, delicious drink that’s lightly carbonated by hand. It’s made using natural ingredients that are Fairtrade and organic where possible. Its cloudy appearance and natural flavour are a result of the use of raw ingredients and its hand-crafted production processes.
Chef and founder of The Russet café in Hackney Downs, Steve Wilson, conceived
Dalston Cola in March 2010. Steve formed The Treehouse Kitchen with business partner Duncan O’Brien in September 2011, when they continued to develop Dalston Cola.
Steve and Duncan’s passion for quality, natural ingredients and a real interest in the impact of modern food production techniques on communities and the taste of food and drink have always been sources of motivation behind their work in the kitchen.
When Steve found he could buy kola nuts in Ridley Road Market in Dalston, he was inspired to start experimenting to create a recipe for a natural alternative cola.
Steve said,
“The nuts were grown on trees indigenous to Africa, and played a large part in ritual behaviour. Drinks made from the nuts were originally medicinal, with many of the other spices in the drink having healing properties,”
“As well as being driven to make a great tasting drink with quality natural ingredients, in creating Dalston Cola we wanted to explore food and drink production processes and the impact they have on communities and the ways in which we can enjoy food.”
“The whole process of making Dalston Cola has taught us so much and now we’re excited to share the result with the rest of London.”
Dalston Cola is stocked in www.treehousekitchen.co.uk as well as a growing range of independent shops, bars and cafes across London.
Dalston Cola and Raw Fiyah! Ginger beer
RRP £1.80 per 275 ml bottle
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