If you're a fan of Mazoe's delightful cordials, you might have noticed different labels on the bottles in South Africa, causing confusion and curiosity. Don't worry, I've got some answers to your questions hopefully, so let's clear the air and look at this from what I've learnt so far.
First things first, all Mazoe is manufactured in Zimbabwe by Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited. As such, for Mazoe Orange to be made available in South Africa, it has to be compliant with rules and regulations that govern food manufacturing and quality control for all imports. As you know by now, rules are rules but most importantly they are there to ensure we get the best quality possible for any products we consume. Simply put, if the best quality compliance means using A-grade Oranges then rest assured you're enjoying top-of-the-range.
Fake or Original? Why is there a Mazoe Orange 4% label?
One thing that we've often seen is the changes in the labels with the one in Zimbabwe displaying "50% When Undiluted" and in South Africa "4% When Diluted." To put this in perspective, South African regulations require the label to simply highlight the amount of juice content remaining after dilution meaning; 4% is the percentage of actual juice content remaining after it's diluted with all ingredients. It is important to remember that each country uses labels in line with international Codex guidelines, while Zimbabwe uses an older system. An example to note is Mazoe's presence in Zambia and Botswana where the label is required to show 20% juice content when undiluted despite there being the exact same formulations., Zimbabwe uses an older system that displays 50% when undiluted. Check out this press release from the Coca-cola Beverages Africa about Mazoe in Botswana.
Is there a difference?
No, it’s the same drink just a different label. That said, the label for Mazoe Orange in South Africa is required to be compliant with the regulations that govern quality control for imports. Here's what Schweppes has shared in the past.
Cordial vs Crush, why the name change?
Cordial and Crush are terms that refer to distinct types of beverages. A cordial is a concentrated syrup or liqueur made from fruit juices, herbs, or flowers. It's meant to be diluted with water or other liquids before consumption and is often used in cocktails or enjoyed as a refreshing drink. On the other hand, a crush refers to a carbonated soft drink flavoured with fruit juices or fruit flavours. It is a fizzy and fruity soda, commonly consumed as a standalone beverage. It's important to note that these terms describe different beverages and are not interchangeable. As such, this is where the name changes come in.
Hold on to your wigs, this bit gets more interesting I promise. To meet the import regulations in South Africa, Mazoe dropped its affectionately known name Mazoe Orange Crush for a more compliant name that makes it easier to know it's actually a concentrate, which is meant to be diluted for the South African market. Say hello to Mazoe Orange Cordial Mzansi!
It does (-n't) taste the same?
Who can resist clever wordplay? Well, we've heard it all before but nobody seems to truly hit the mark with this one. But let's break it down – discussing taste profiles is like navigating a slippery slide, given that everyone's got their take, I will stick to the basics. Over the past few years, the Coca-Cola company has had a global campaign, cutting down on sugar in many of our favourite drinks, promoting healthier lifestyles. In Mzansi you may have seen a soft drink or two with a Low-Kilojoule label by now, in case you missed it, they've cut down on the sugar.
Welcome to a sugar diet crash course, we're all in this together.🤣 All things considered, you’re not wrong to say, maybe, it’s not the same as it used to be ... but that’s the product as a whole, not the Mazoe Orange Cordial with the 4% label.
However, just to demystify it once and for all, the 50% and 4% Mazoe Orange are all the same and most importantly manufactured by Schweppes Zimbabwe. For more information about product changes over years – check out their Schweppes' official website here.