The Most Misunderstood Soft Drink

Yes, Virginia, there is a lack of prunes in Dr Pepper.

Various and sundry readers (by half dozens) from across the globe visit my blog via search terms such as "carbonated prunes" or "are prunes in dr. pepper" or "dr pepper laxative", etc.

So, to give those guys something (else) to read, I offer the following (it's from The UrbanDictionary dot com):

Dr Pepper, also known as DP was first created and sold in 1885 in Waco Texas, one year before Coca-Cola existed.

Dr Pepper contains 39.6 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounce can. Dr Pepper was invented by a pharmacist by the name of Dr. Charles Alderton. Dr. Alderton began selling the original syrup un-carbonated at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco Texas in 1885.

At the time is was being sold as a vitalizing energy tonic. Customers asked to add carbonated seltzer-water to the syrup and they've been selling it carbonated ever since. Morrison the drug store owner later took over the business of selling Dr Pepper and teamed up with a local bottling plant owner Robert Lazenby. Morrison & Lazenby founded the Artesian Mfg. & Bottling company which later became Dr Pepper/ 7UP Inc. Dr Pepper/ 7UP Inc. is NOT owned by Pepsi, it is NOT owned by Coca-Cola.

But in fact it is owned by Cadbury Schweppes of London (they bought it out in 1995). Many people are confused why Dr Pepper is sold along side Coke & Pepsi products, Dr Pepper independently has contracts with Coke, Pepsi and various other bottling plants worldwide (this is because of the lack of bottling plants owned by Dr Pepper).

The ingredients in the unique beverage are purportedly classified but the company is clear it is composed of a variety of fruit flavors, prunes not being one of them.

Be a pepper, I'm a Pepper, You're a Pepper, Wouldn't You Like to Be a Pepper, Too?