Orbitz was the product name of a noncarbonated fruit-flavored beverage, made by the company Clearly Canadian Beverage Corporation (makers of Clearly Canadian), that had small edible balls floating in it. It was introduced around 1997 and quickly disappeared due to poor sales. The drink was marketed as a "texturally enhanced alternative beverage" but some consumers compared it to a portable lava lamp.[1]
Discontinued in 2005
SCIENCE!
The small balls floated due to their nearly equal density to the surrounding liquid, and remained suspended with assistance from an ingredient known as gellan gum. The gellan gum provided a support matrix—something like a microscopic spider web--and had a visual clarity approaching that of water, which increased with the addition of sugar.
The website for Orbitz existed for a while, but was taken over by the Internet travel agency of the same name (see Orbitz).
Unopened bottles of the beverage have become a collector's item, appearing on online auction websites.
Flavors[]
- Raspberry Citrus (introductory flavor)
- Blueberry Melon Strawberry (introductory flavor)
- Pineapple Banana Cherry Coconut (introductory flavor)
- Vanilla Orange (introductory flavor)
- Black Currant Berry (introduced later)