Hong Kong-made drinks｜Mawan Cola tastes like sour sand cola candy recalls childhood memories of the restaurant owner making a variable product

【Yahoo News Report】Almost everyone has drunk Coke. What is the taste of Ma Wan Coke? A restaurant in Ma Wan makes its own “Ma Wan Cola” with a “Hong Kong flavor” to cater to small customers on the island, and it has become a “souvenir” in Ma Wan. The restaurant cooperates with local soda factories to mass-produce cans and sell them at major retailers. Restaurant owners hope that more Hong Kong people, both local and overseas, can drink the “extraordinary cola” that is natural, healthy, color-free and full of Hong Kong people’s memories.

Reporter: Carmen C.

Photojournalist: HLKP, Carmen C.

On the can of “Ma Wan Cola”, it says “produced by the Solar System Council”. The “Solar System Council” is not a “committee”, but a cafe opened in Ma Wan more than 2 years ago. Jimmy, the boss who used to live in Ma Wan, explained that “sun” means warmth, and “committee” means “Ma Wan Rural Committee” because there used to be a building facing the sea in the old village of Ma Wan. It’s so beautiful, so the fonts and English fonts of our signboard follow his style.” Jimmy himself also has a design background, “I will stick to these positions, there is a story to develop first.”

The name and logo design concept of “Solar System Committee” originated from the Ma Wan Rural Committee in the old Ma Wan Village.

Considering the catering needs of children, Jimmy developed the pure natural soft drink “Ma Wan Cola”.

The color of “Ma Wan Cola” is not ordinary cola, but yellowish green.

“The goal here is actually to build a modern version of the village office or community center.” Jimmy hopes that the restaurant can be connected with the neighborhood, so in addition to coffee, the Solar System Committee also has interest classes, and the instructor also lives in Ma Wan. “I want to see This is a small place, is there anything that can be provided to those who return to Ma Wan?” After the store opened, Jimmy thought of making his own “Ma Wan Cola”.

On the promotional poster of “Ma Wan Cola”, it says “Ma Wan specialty cola made with fruit juice”, and some neighbors gave it as a souvenir.

McDonald’s-free island makes all-natural Coke for kids

Of course, coffee is the main drink in the cafe, but Jimmy found that “the most popular ones here are pets and children. Our menu should have something that children drink.” Jimmy said with a smile, “Ma Wan is an island, and there is no McDonald’s, so I offered French fries and Coke.” What regarding Coke? I want to make my own Coke for children to drink. It’s healthy, not too sweet, and has no coloring.” Jimmy boiled lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and other ingredients together with sugar into syrup. Then add soda water to make “Ma Wan Cola”, “it’s a local method”. The taste is not like ordinary cola, but the sour sand cola candy that many Hong Kong people ate when they were young.

Ma Wan Cola is made from ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel.

Jimmy then cooperated with the local soft drink factory “Attic Brewing” to mass-produce Ma Wan Cola. Jimmy was beaming, recalling that when he met the factory, it was like talking regarding his sweetheart. He pointed out that he noticed that the attic brewed his own tonic water, “I looked at the shop, I like it very much, I think they are a group of people who will be friends.” Not long following, he received an invitation from the factory’s founder Adrian, Jimmy said with a smile : “I finally waited for him to find me!” Jimmy and Jimmy hit it off immediately, “we are people with the same vibe (atmosphere)”, and they are also brave enough to innovate, and hit it off immediately.

The Solar System Council and Attic Brewing hit it off and successfully mass-produced canned “Ma Wan Cola”.

“I hope everyone will think of Ma Wan when they see Ma Wan Cola”

Benjarmin, the co-founder of Loft Brewing and responsible for the design, pointed out that Ma Wan gives people a sunny feeling, “comfortable and fun”. In addition, Ma Wan Coke is not brown like ordinary cola, but yellowish green, so the paper label is also green , Retro, Carnival and waves are the design axes. Jimmy described the cooperation process as “everyone knows what you want to do”, so the research and development process went very smoothly. It only took two to three months to achieve mass production. It was the first batch of co-launched products following the opening of Attic Brewing. The second batch will be made following the batch is sold, and it will be put on the shelves in supermarkets and sold in specialty restaurants.

Jimmy also hopes that “Ma Wan Cola” can be used as a feast for the neighbors, “I have my own cola on this island, this thing is so stylish!” Some neighbors also regard “Ma Wan Cola” as a souvenir of Ma Wan, “I hope everyone When you see Ma Wan Cola, you will think of Ma Wan and us.” He also hopes to promote it to the United Kingdom, Canada, Taiwan and other places, so that more Hong Kong people outside can enjoy the taste of childhood.

Jimmy pointed out that Ma Wan has a laid-back atmosphere. He once failed to deliver coffee because he missed an order, and the customer sat for several hours without urging him, just “continue to do his own thing, so chill”.

Starting from Hong Kong Cannery, he went to Loft Brewing to develop his own soft drinks. Edward (right) is in charge of production technology, and Adrian (left) is in charge of sales and marketing.

Introduction to “Attic Brewing”

The local soda factory “Attic Brewing” was opened by three big boys in 2021. It is located in the attic of a factory building on Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong. The factory invested 3 million yuan and was originally called Hong Kong Cannery. It mainly produces OEM drinks, and the production technology is managed by the former founder of the winery, Edward. By the beginning of 2022, due to the epidemic, restaurants and bars have been hit hard, and beverage production has been suspended. OEM orders were greatly reduced, so the three decided to establish Attic Brewing and develop tonic water, spicy ginger soda, etc. by themselves.

【Price of Ma Wan Cola】

Ma Wan Coke (one can)｜25 yuan

Ma Wan Coke (six cans)｜120 RMB

【24 cans combination pack｜499 yuan (free shipping in Hong Kong)】

Ma Wan Coke (9 cans)

Attic Brewing – Spicy Ginger Soda (Three Cans)

Attic Brewing – Perfume Lemon Tieguanyin (Three Cans)

Attic Brewing – Strawberry Mate Tea (Three Cans)

Attic Brew – Herbal Tonic Water (Three Cans)

Attic Brew – Soda (Three Cans)

Order URL:https://solcommittee.com/product/sol-cola/

The epidemic has greatly reduced the OEM business, and Attic Brewing has begun to develop its own soft drinks and beverages for bartending, such as tonic water and spicy ginger soda.

The soft drinks produced by Attic Brewing emphasize natural ingredients, and some products are even made with perfumed lemons.

Counting from the operation of Hong Kong Cannery, they have produced nearly a hundred OEM products.

It was named “Attic Brewing” because the factory is located in the attic of the factory building.

【Related reports】

Hong Kong drinks｜Climbing mountains and wading waters to search for forgotten local fruits. Post-90s handmade kombucha preserves the taste of Hong Kong

Hong Kong-made drinks｜Mawan Cola tastes like sour sand cola candy recalls childhood memories of the restaurant owner making a variable product