Coimbatore: "Oh yeah! I am well aware of how much sodas can contribute to my obesity. Yet, I couldn't resist quaffing these 'Full jar' or 'Fuljar' sodas that is fizzing in the city," says a cool dude whose carefree sentiment seems to be echoing across the city.
Coimbatore: "Oh yeah! I am well aware of how much sodas can contribute to my obesity. Yet, I couldn't resist quaffing these 'Full jar' or 'Fuljar' sodas that is fizzing in the city," says a cool dude whose carefree sentiment seems to be echoing across the city.
Much akin to the heavy monsoons' path from Kerala into Coimbatore, the newly introduced 'Fuljar' sodas in the city too have made their way from across the Kerala border to Coimbatore.
'Full Jar' or 'Fuljar'
Actually, both are right! 'Fuljar' is a big beer mug full of soda, that righteously makes it a 'Full Jar!' No one in God's own country apparently knows the history of how the letter 'L' went amiss, but for the crowd of youngsters who make a beeline and wait patiently in queues just to gulp the 'Fuljar' soda, the thirst is satiated to the full irrespective of the missing letter.
Spoiler alert! 'Fuljar' is not for the elite, since the soda has no respect for designer brands and will continue to froth and fizz as it does for the common man, allowing him to relish the fizz down his throat all the way to the tummy.
Fuljar in R S Puram
As evening falls, the corner on West Arokiasamy Road is abuzz with youngsters just for a deep gulp of the 'Fuljar.' Though short eateries are trying to keep pace with the new soda rage and begun to put up boards hinting, "Soon to introduce Fuljar sodas," Tin Tin Shakes in R S Puram, probably named after the adventurous Tintin have raced ahead to introduce this fizzing soda to Kovai.
Both school and college students throng the shop in gangs to order their favourite flavours of 'Fuljar.' And even as their own orders are being done, the sight of others gulping the sodas and puckering their faces is the real kick according to Fuljar Fans. The rage among the youth has kindled the curiosity of passers-by, with even senior citizens braving the fizz to take a sip.
The Preparation
A masala concoction in a small glassware is slowly dropped inside a bigger jar filled with super chilled soda.
The masala concoction contains mint, ginger, chilli, salt, honey, pepper, sugar and added flavours like guava, green apple, grape and pineapple which seeps into the big jar of chilled soda and overflows like an erupting volcano spurting forth the fizzing soda.
Overwhelming response
Unfolding the secret behind the 'Fuljars' and how Coimbatoreans have responded, Aaqil Ahmed, the owner of Tin Tin Shakes exults, "After seeing people going crazy about 'Fuljars' in Kerala, I decided to launch the drink for the first time in Coimbatore in my organic juice shop 'Tin Tin,' here in R S Puram. It has been just 15 days since we launched the 'Fuljars' and as expected, the response is overwhelming."
Aaqil also adds the "digestive" twist to selling the Fuljars. "The Fuljars are priced at Rs. 50. Back in Kerala, people believe that Fuljars aid in digestion. Many of the customers here have also vouched for it. So far, the response has been extraordinary. Youngsters are our regular customers and every single time they order for different flavours and relish the Fuljar. It is an experience, by itself!"
To keep pace with the astounding response, Aaqil plans to open his second outlet at Race Course, shortly.
Rule: "Gulp it not Sip"
"Although it is difficult to have a bottoms-up gulp all at once, the fun challenge with 'Fuljars' is about gulping the Fuljar in one shot. A true Fuljar experience means the soda jar should be emptied within seconds. It should be gulped not sipped," warns Goutham, a newbie to the fun world of Fuljars introduced by his friends.
“Wow, it is a thrilling experience. Though am not a soda lover, the frothing soda lured me to give it a try. But, one has to choose the right flavour.
I tasted guava-flavoured Fuljar and it was refreshing," opined a delighted Kalai who is a college student from the city, enjoying her debut as a Fuljar enthusiast.
Even as the city chills down with the onset of the monsoon, the salubrious climate accompanied by gusty winds and drizzles generally push people to continuously sip a piping hot masala tea or an exotic or simple soup. Yet, the chill frothing fizzy 'Fuljar' sodas have tempted even the traditional Coimbatoreans to go for the Fuljar soda.
Way to Fuljar
Tin Tin shakes is located at the corner of West Arokiasamy Road, R S Puram.
The landmark next to it is Velan Kaapi. The shop is open between 11 am to 11 pm, on all days of the week. Take some time out for a fizz!