Suresh Suwal has been in the soda business for as long as he can remember but not just any ordinary soda. His father, Buddhiram Suwal, set up his soda shop outside Janasewa Cinema where the Bishal Bajar now stands. The unique bottle with the blue glass marble used to be a hit among cine-goers in the days before Coke and Pepsi. Though the shop has changed its location many times, it has been running for 67 years now. And the bottles are still that old-fashioned kind and the taste is still the same.

The legacy passed from father to son and Suresh, at the early age of 11, was hooked on to making sodas. "It's called the army machine," says Suresh proudly of his soda making gadget, "during World War II, it was used to make sodas for the soldiers." When the equipment was hauled into Kathmandu back in the old days the Suwals delivered fizzy sodas for the Ranas who liked to dilute their champagne with it.

Contrary to popular belief that sodas are not hygienic, the Ranjana Galli Soda Pasal uses only mineral water in its products. Compared to multinational colas, Suwal says his product is not only an healthier option but also tastier. He claims to have upto 27 different flavours of soda though the most popular are plain soda and cola with a twist of lime and special masala for added zing. It is also the cheapest option at only Rs 7.

With summer here and the temperatures sliding into the 30s, soda offers a healthy alternative to soft drinks. The average soft drink has about eight teaspoons of sugar and leads to tooth decay and caffeine dependence. But Nepali 'guchha soda' tastes much better, is a lot healthier and is supposed to cure ulcers, indigestion and even hangovers.

Suwal plans to expand. "We are trying to make sodas available everywhere. We want to supply not only to restaurants and parties but also make labelled bottles with manufacture and expiry dates and then market them in local shops as an alternative to other drinks," he says bubbling with enthusiasm.

If Suwal's small shop is any indication, the business is ripe for expansion. He gets as many as 1,300 customers a day during the summer. "The market is growing and we'll grow with it," says Suwal. This may be the next soda revolution.

Aarti Basnyat