Stuff You Should Know – Episode Summary: "Short Stuff: Fanta - Nazi Favorite?"
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Hosts: Josh and Chuck
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts
Introduction
In the "Short Stuff" segment of the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast, hosts Josh and Chuck delve into the intriguing and controversial history of Fanta, exploring its origins during Nazi Germany and its evolution into the beloved orange soda known today.
Hosts' Banter and Personal Anecdotes
[00:34 – 02:36]
Josh and Chuck kick off the episode with a friendly exchange about Fanta's catchy slogan, "Don't you want to Fanta?" This lighthearted conversation serves as a segue into the deeper historical exploration.
- Josh: "Don't you want to Fanta? That's how I remember it." [00:49]
- Chuck: "I love Fanta. I mean." [00:59]
The hosts share personal stories about their soda consumption habits, revealing Chuck's limited intake due to his family's financial constraints during his upbringing and Josh's preference for other sodas like Faygo.
- Chuck: "I think I've mentioned plenty of times that I did not grow up drinking much soda because as a family, we didn't have the kind of money to just load up the house with sodas." [01:06]
- Josh: "I gotcha. I was more of a Faygo man as a kid." [02:10]
This personal touch makes the historical discussion more relatable to listeners who may share similar experiences with soda consumption.
Coca-Cola’s Expansion into Nazi Germany
[02:47 – 04:18]
Josh provides a historical backdrop, tracing Coca-Cola's origins to Dr. John Stith Pemberton in 1886. He explains how Coca-Cola expanded globally, becoming an ambassador of American democracy. By the late 1930s, Coca-Cola was deeply entrenched in Germany through its subsidiary, Coca-Cola GmbH.
- Josh: "One of the things that Coca Cola did over time was they expanded around the world. They became an ambassador of American democracy... by the time World War II was starting to ramp up, say the 30s, the late 30s, Coca Cola was heavily entrenched in Germany." [03:28]
Max Kite, the head of Coca-Cola GmbH, is highlighted for his dedication to integrating Coca-Cola into German life, including interactions with the Nazi Party, although he never officially joined the party.
- Chuck: "Max Kite... loved Coke so much, he really just wanted to weave it into every aspect of German life, including the Nazi party." [04:18]
Coca-Cola During Wartime and the Creation of Fanta
[04:18 – 10:15]
As World War II intensified, Coca-Cola faced challenges in maintaining its operations in Germany due to rationing and resource scarcity. Specifically, access to Coca-Cola’s signature 7x flavoring became limited.
- Chuck: "Coca Cola said, sorry Kite, we got to stop sending you our 7x flavoring." [05:27]
In response, Max Kite innovated by creating a new beverage using available ingredients such as apple pulp, beet sugar, and whey. This led to the birth of Fanta, a name derived from the German word "Fantasie," meaning "fantasy" or "imagination."
- Chuck: "The first Fanta... was made from the leftovers of the leftovers... the German word for fantasy or imagination." [08:10]
Josh underscores the initial formulation's poor taste, noting that historians agree the original Fanta was likely unpalatable and primarily used as a flavoring agent rather than a standalone beverage.
- Josh: "It tasted like sweet garbage... just look at the ingredients. There's no way it tasted good." [09:17]
Despite its questionable flavor, Fanta became a significant product, fostering a sense of national pride among Germans for their resourcefulness during wartime.
Post-War Reintroduction and Rebranding of Fanta
[10:15 – 13:32]
After World War II, Coca-Cola sought to revitalize Fanta. In April 1955, the company reformulated Fanta to develop the now-familiar orange flavor, distancing it from its wartime origins.
- Chuck: "Coca Cola... rejigger Fanta and make it taste good... keep the name and hopefully no one will remember the Nazi ties." [10:15]
The rebranded Fanta made its way to Italy first, where it was positively received. By 1958, Fanta was introduced to the United States, gradually shedding its previous negative associations and becoming a mainstream soft drink.
- Josh: "They introduced it in Italy first as this orange soda version... started to export it, finally made it into the United States in 1958." [11:59]
The hosts discuss how Fanta's name, despite its Nazi origins, did not carry negative connotations globally, allowing the brand to thrive without significant public backlash.
- Chuck: "People largely didn't think much about it... you're not supporting Nazis by buying Fanta today." [12:37]
Modern Perception and Legacy of Fanta
[13:32 – 14:51]
Josh and Chuck address contemporary myths surrounding Fanta's Nazi connections, emphasizing that enjoying Fanta today does not imply support for Nazi ideologies.
- Josh: "It's just an orange soda. I like it for what it is." [13:32]
- Chuck: "It wasn't widely known outside of Germany... people didn't associate the name Fanta with its Nazi origins." [12:23]
Max Kite's legacy is also touched upon, highlighting his pivotal role in sustaining Coca-Cola Europe during tumultuous times and his eventual rise to head Coca-Cola Europe post-war.
- Josh: "As the Nazis rolled into country after country, Kite was right behind the tanks... consolidating all into one company because of the Nazis conquering these countries." [14:05]
The hosts conclude that while Fanta's origins are complex and tied to a dark period in history, the brand has successfully redefined itself, becoming a beloved beverage worldwide without endorsing its initial connections.
- Chuck: "Shepherded the brand through challenging times and kept it alive for future generations." [14:37]
Conclusion
Josh and Chuck wrap up the episode by reaffirming that Fanta, despite its controversial beginnings, has evolved into a popular soft drink enjoyed globally. They debunk the notion that purchasing Fanta today supports Nazi ideologies, emphasizing the brand's successful transformation and integration into modern culture.
- Josh: "It's just an orange soda... not supporting Nazis." [12:52]
- Chuck: "People didn't think much about it... you're not supporting Nazis by buying Fanta today." [12:37]
The "Short Stuff" segment concludes with a humorous nod to Fanta, leaving listeners with a nuanced understanding of the beverage's history and its place in contemporary society.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Josh: "It's like a new kind of medicine." [03:28]
- Chuck: "Max Kite... just wanted to weave it into every aspect of German life, including the Nazi party." [04:18]
- Josh: "There was also for the 10th anniversary of Coca Cola GmbH, they decided to commemorate their deepest admiration for the Fuhrer for Hitler's 50th birthday with a mass Nazi salute." [05:27]
- Chuck: "The first Fanta was made from the leftovers of the leftovers." [08:10]
- Josh: "It tasted like sweet garbage." [09:17]
- Chuck: "People didn't associate the name Fanta with its Nazi origins." [12:37]
- Josh: "It's just an orange soda. I like it for what it is." [13:32]
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Short Stuff: Fanta - Nazi Favorite?" episode, providing listeners with an engaging and informative overview of Fanta's historical journey from its controversial inception to its modern-day popularity.