I have known this pop drink maker in Pune for several decades, but never found an opportunity to try it until last week.
The full name of the person and his company is Ardeshir & Sons, located in a sleepy bylane of old town Pune.
These are the original Iranians who followed the Zoroastrian faith and escaped Iran due to the onslaught of Islam, taking refuge in India and eventually settling down in Pune.
They started the business back in 1884, a couple of years before Coca-Cola was formed in faraway United States. After that, they confined themselves to Pune and did not expand for the next century and a half, while Cola spread like wildfire across continents.
When we visited here last weekend, I was surprised to see their humble setup.
Their entire factory, storefront, and delivery area were confined to a 400 square yard area.
We were presented with their entire range of drinks. I tried regular Coke, while @AjitThite tried the lemon flavor, @Durgak03 and @dpalash2205 tried the Litchi pop drink.
It was a refreshingly different taste at a dirt-cheap price of INR 17 each and an experience that gave us goosebumps.
I will get there again to try the other flavor soon.
And that is not just for the flavor of this amazing soft drink.
The shop is located in a lane that is dotted with many century-old buildings belonging to the Iranians.
So it is a cool heritage walk as well, gazing at the marvelous architecture.
This post is part of the #BeatTheHeat Challenge by @MathanVibranarayan
20 Likes
Wowww this seems like going back in time. Pretty nostalgic memories. Thanks for sharing @TusharSuradkar
1 Like
What a gem of a find, @TusharSuradkar! 
Stories like these make Google Maps contributions truly special. The blend of history, heritage, and a humble homegrown brand like Ardeshir & Sons is fascinating. Love how a simple pop drink can take you on a journey through time — from Zoroastrian roots to Pune’s lanes.
1 Like
brilliant post @TusharSuradkar jee, absolutely informative and refreshing:) , thank you for sharing
1 Like
Yes, it was time travel for us @ShreyaMusings and feels nice as time slows down in the past.
1 Like
Thank you @TusharSuradkar this place is one of the oldest place of pune. thanks for sharing.
1 Like
When you and @Rushikesh_joshi go there, inform in the group a day ahead @Kuldip_Patil
Mnay local guides will join you to try new flavors.
2 Likes
Yes sure we will inform in group 
@TusharSuradkar .
1 Like
Such a cool find @TusharSuradkar ₹17, that’s such a steal
Thanks for sharing this fizzy piece.!
1 Like
Yes @TusharSuradkar we informed in our groupđź‘Ť if we go.
1 Like
Ich bin erstaunt über so viele Limonaden Sorten hergestellt in so kleinen Räumen. @TusharSuradkar
Der Beitrag ist so erfrischend wie die Limonade und sehr interessant auch mit den schönen Bildern
1 Like
Yes, the space is limited and the flavors are many @Annaelisa
But they make very little quantity because they sell it only at select cafes.
Those drinks are not available everywhere.
I think that is why they could not expand even after 100+ years.
1 Like
Hauptsache die Qualität stimmt und der Umsatz reicht aus für ein gutes Leben @TusharSuradkar
1 Like
@TusharSuradkar @AjitThite @Durgak03 @dpalash2205
Wow, what a fascinating discovery! A 140-year-old pop drink maker in Pune with such a rich history. It sounds like a truly special experience, from the unique flavors to the glimpse into the Iranian heritage. INR 17 is an absolute steal! It’s definitely on my must-taste list sometime. That’s fascinating! It’s also interesting that we have our own century-old soft drink legacy in Tamil Nadu with brands like Kalimark and Bovonto. I’d be keen to read your story about them! It sounds like there’s a whole world of regional soft drink history waiting to be explored! Thanks for sharing this as part of the #BeatTheHeat Challenge!
3 Likes
These look fabulous @MathanVibranarayan
My Tamil friends in Bengaluru always talked about Bovonto - I clearly remember.
I am interested in tasting it if available in Bengaluru, or when I travel to Chennai or Madurai.
Do you plan to visit a shop and post this under #BeatTheHeat?
Meanwhile, I hope you have noticed the brand new logos for the challenge made by @AjitThite
And I am going to use them in my next episode 
3 Likes
@TusharSuradkar sir I really loved the refreshing look of the challege logo. I’m a big fan of @AjitThite sir’s creativity and designs. 
1 Like
Thanks for appreciation, @TusharSuradkar @MathanVibranarayan .
I couldn’t find any logo used in the main post, so thought of creating one with AI. 
Cheers!
1 Like
I did sir, but did share.
1 Like
Oh, I am so so sorry to miss it. My apologies.
Cheers!
1 Like
. I will go.
