Spain Wouldn’t be Spain Without… #1: ColaCao

44 comments

Colacao

What is it? A high-energy, powdered milky chocolate drink designed to send kids loopy or adults to sleep. Or visa versa (see below).

Not to be mixed with: Drunk people with cigarette lighters. Who knew?!

Useful if: You can’t light your barbeque.

Not to be confused with: Estoy coloca’o, meaning, I’m stoned/totally spaced out.

Cast your votes below, what Brands would you add to the ‘Spain wouldn’t be Spain Without’ selection?

Written by Ben Curtis

April 4th, 2008 at 7:37 am

Posted in Spanish Culture and News

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44 Responses to “Spain Wouldn’t be Spain Without… #1: ColaCao”

  1. hellothere

    4 Apr 08 at 8:31 am

    Staying on the food brands, I would add:
    - Avecrem = Oxo cubes
    - Don Simón wine, in Tetra Brik, to make kalimotxo or sangrí­a
    - Chupa Chups (I love how they don’t pronounce the p in Chups, it sounds cute to me!)
    - Patés La Piara, to spread on children’s bocadillos
    - Nocilla, the Spanish version of Nutella
    - Turrón El Almendro (and its ubiquitous slogan: “vuélve a casa por navidad”)

    Alcohol and cigarettes:
    - Anis El Mono, an older people’s drink
    - Fortuna cigarettes
    - Ducados cigarettes, especially the black tobacco ones
    - Mahou, La Estrella, San Miguel beers (I am sure I am missing a few here)

  2. Tom

    4 Apr 08 at 8:46 am

    Bimbo!
    Freixenet!
    Ducados!
    Voll Damm!
    Oh, and “Filmax presenta!”

    That’s my weekend sorted out.

  3. hellothere

    4 Apr 08 at 8:54 am

    - Rice SOS (I love the name :D )

  4. Pepino

    4 Apr 08 at 9:30 am

    White chocolate Filipino biscuits. I’m sure they must put cocaine in them, as I am physically unable to eat one without eating the entire packet immediately after!

    I’m glad Estrella beer and Voll Damm have both already been mentioned, as I’m sat right now working in that very company that makes them. :-)

  5. chris

    4 Apr 08 at 9:50 am

    Osborne – Veterano brandy and THAT bull

  6. hellothere

    4 Apr 08 at 10:09 am

    That’s right! How could we have forgotten the Osborne bull!

    Enjoy your beer, Pepino! Oups… Sorry… I meant, enjoy working for them! :D

    - I forgot to mention Cruzcampo before
    - and also, Orlando: canned fried tomato sauce

  7. hellothere

    4 Apr 08 at 10:12 am

    Sorry for all the messages…
    Here goes another one:
    - La Casera, the soda they put in beer and wine to make “clara” and “tinto de verano” respectively.

  8. soy pescador

    4 Apr 08 at 10:42 am

    Vichy Catalan , the pricey water

  9. Tom Clarke

    4 Apr 08 at 10:43 am

    Oh and what about Cacaolat? Do you guys have that in Madrid? It’s much nicer than ColaCao.

    Also: Bonka. This goes in the Bimbo Association of Amusing Spanish Brand Names (though actually Bonka is used all over the world, but still, it’s amusing).

    Bollycao and its various cousins.
    Interví­u magazine (‘news’ reportage and soft porn, check it out at your local barber shop).
    Telepizza – fairly ubiquitous and almost certainly the worst pizza in the world.
    Veterano – Brandy (NOT ‘Cognac’!!) for carajillos

  10. Ben

    4 Apr 08 at 11:16 am

    @Tom, never heard of Cacaolat, must be a Catalan thing I imagine.

    @Everyone – Love all the suggestions so far! Keep them coming!

  11. bill

    4 Apr 08 at 12:10 pm

    Ones that crop to mind are:

    Food:

    pipas
    half a supermarket dedicated to selling UHT milk
    displaying animal carcasses in restaurant windows

    Companies:

    Mapfre – you don’t notice them at first, but then…

    Culture:

    Everybody doing exactly the same thing, at exactly the same time

    Manifestaciones – what makes people think that grouping together and marching down a street is going to bring property prices down, stop terrorism, prevent global warming, etc

    People continually interupting each other so everyone talks at the same time in increasingly raised voices until it turns into a shouting match that will never resolve anything (I think they call them tertulias)

    People refusing to move to the side slightly when you want to pass them and it is blatantly obvious that there is not enough space

    Media

    Spain wouldn’t be Spain if it had a media that said was remotely critical of the government at the time, asked awkward questions, or had any form of investigative journalism

    To make up for the above, Spain wouldn’t be Spain if the media didn’t continually steal news bulletins/articles from foreign newspapers/tv channels without any acknowledment

    15 min advert breaks, 90% of which are the same old car adverts, apart from Christmas when they are replaced by the same old perfume adverts

  12. soy pescador

    4 Apr 08 at 12:12 pm

    Vino Rioja
    Gallo Fideua noodles
    Arroz de Valencia

  13. Ben

    4 Apr 08 at 12:25 pm

    Bill, this is about BRANDS, not another excuse for slagging off the Spanish!! Please lets keep this about BRANDS!

  14. Bill

    4 Apr 08 at 12:35 pm

    Sorry Ben – got a bit carried away – it was meant to be light-hearted rather than slagging off (I could say a lot worse about any country, especially my country of birth)

  15. Ben

    4 Apr 08 at 12:51 pm

    Hi Bill, don’t worry, I know that, but I also knew it was a red rag to a few of the locals that show up from time to time… which is fine, I just didn’t want to lose the Brands theme just yet!

  16. Zarah

    4 Apr 08 at 1:46 pm

    Kas/Fanta Limon

  17. Beckett

    4 Apr 08 at 2:19 pm

    @Bill, you’re very funny. @Ben, I think you’ve found a possible future guest blogger in Bill. He will be sure to get a rise out of the Menéame cavalry. :P (Meneame is the Spanish web site that helped introduce Notes from Spain to a wider Spanish-speaking audience last year when Ben posted his 10 Things About Spain list.)

  18. Bill

    4 Apr 08 at 3:19 pm

    @Beckett – I could give it a try some time. I’m sure my comments might be provocative enough to drive the NFS hit counter through the roof!

    Back to brands…

    I don’t think Cruzcampo has been mentioned yet

    Don Simon (to be pronounced in a deep voice like the bloke on the tv adverts)

    EL Corte Inglés (I never know whether it’s meant to mean “The English Court” or “The English Cut”, I guess the former)

    Zara, Coronel Tapioca, etc

  19. Beckett

    4 Apr 08 at 3:32 pm

    @Bill, your remarks were very amusing to me because you started off on theme and then veered off in a way that was very funny but so on target culturally. I agree with your observations about the wimpy public demonstrations, sidewalk hogs and crappy journalism. Oh, and just to keep my comment somewhat related to the original post :) , here’s my contribution to the list of Spanish brands:

    Magnum ice cream. Always struck me as a brand name better suited for a line of super-sized condoms instead of ice cream :P

  20. Sara

    4 Apr 08 at 3:39 pm

    Mercadona. I love Mercadona. They have the best store brand ever, HACENDADO.

  21. Sara

    4 Apr 08 at 3:52 pm

    Also, Cerveza San Miguel

  22. ValenciaSon

    4 Apr 08 at 3:56 pm

    TriNaranjus
    Tigreton
    Hogarin
    Seat
    Freixenet
    Gaseosa
    Bonito tuna

  23. soy pescador

    4 Apr 08 at 5:43 pm

    @ Beckett

    Are you sure Magnum is a Spanish Product ?

  24. andrea

    4 Apr 08 at 5:45 pm

    Kas
    Pacharán Zoco
    Sidra el gaitero

  25. Beckett

    4 Apr 08 at 8:32 pm

    @soy pescador: Magnum is a product of Frigo, a Spanish brand of Unilever. From the Unilever España web site:

    Magnum es más que un helado. Es un mundo, un ritual, una experiencia única. Un deleite en todas sus variedades: chocolates y helados.Magnum fue lanzado al mercado en España en el año 1991, revolucionando el sector del helado adulto.Desde entonces la innovación ha acompañado a la marca que ha lanzado variedades tan rompedoras como los "Magnum 7 Pecados” o este año los "Nuevos Magnum Orí­genes”. La calidad, su gruesa capa de chocolate y su carácter rompedor han creado una nueva manera de disfrutar de los momentos, a la manera Magnum.

    http://www.unilever.es/nuestrasmarcas/foods/frigo.asp

  26. soy pescador

    5 Apr 08 at 8:50 am

    @beckett

    Thank you for the info. I love the Magnum range of ice cream ‘ Viva Espana’

  27. hellothere

    5 Apr 08 at 9:04 am

    @ Beckett, I think Magnum is fairly international.

    Here it is, from the Unilever website: http://www.unilever.co.uk/ourbrands/foods/Magnum.asp
    Apparently it was launched in the UK in 1987.

    I guess if you go to the unilever.com website, you will find another date, etc.

    @ ValenciaSon, is there a brand known as Bonito, then? To me bonito was a type of tuna.

    Brands in construction:
    - FCC and Dragados

    - Roca: bathroom suites (as in “I am going to see Mr Roca” when going to the toilet)

    Brands in banks:
    - Santander
    - BBVA
    - La Caixa
    - Caja Madrid (in Madrid at least)

  28. soy pescador

    5 Apr 08 at 9:42 am

    Jamon Jabugo – Andulucian free range pig
    Pastissets de moniato (yummy)
    Crema catalana

  29. Tom

    5 Apr 08 at 4:45 pm

    How about Torres Sangre de Toro – always seemed a v. Spanish brand name to me.

    Canal Plus, while French, is of massive importance here when planning where to watch a football match “Es en el plus” means you have to go to a bar with satellite TV (admittedly, most of them).

    Tous jewellery and accessories – must have for middle class Catalan women.

    UPA (Un Paso Adelante) is a multimedia brand which most Spaniards would probably happily live without.

    @soy pescador: I’m not sure that Jamon Jabugo or Crema Catalana are really brands. But you reminded me of those standard deserts you find in loads of Spanish restaurants: Crema Catalana, Tarta de Whisky etc. Can’t remember the brand name. Probably Nestlé.

    CCOO – not exactly a brand, but union representation for all makes it a great institution.

    Pacha is a pretty impressive brand. Founded in ‘67 in Sitges, Barcelona, they now have nightclubs as far afield as Rio, Marrakech, Sharm el Sheikh, etc etc.

    Was Repsol already mentioned?

  30. ValenciaSon

    5 Apr 08 at 6:09 pm

    @ Hellothere: I think bonito tuna is blue fin tuna. I remember seeing jars labeled Bonito on them. I’m not sure if that was also the brand name or just indicating they were bonito (bluefin tuna). I assumed Bonito was also the brand name.

  31. MrMark

    6 Apr 08 at 12:09 pm

    Spain wouldn’t be Spain without

    Telefonica
    ONCE
    Renfe
    Iberia
    Vueling

    El Corte Ingles
    Zara
    Mango
    Osborne

    Santander
    BBVA
    La Caixa

    Ducados
    Fortunas
    Mahou
    Cruzcampo
    La Casera

    AS
    Marca
    Hola
    Interviu
    El Pais
    El Mundo
    ABC
    Diez Minutos (and the other freebies)

    and, another recent arrival – PepeCar!

  32. hellothere

    7 Apr 08 at 9:12 am

    Thanks ValenciaSon. I cannot think of a brand named after this fish, but it sure tastes good ;)

    @MrMark, I don’t think Diez Minutos is free. It is “prensa rosa” isn’t it?
    20 Minutos on the other hand is free.

    I would like to add: galletas Marí­a.
    Especially dipped in milk: it seems to bring people fond childhood memories back.

  33. Urgellenk

    7 Apr 08 at 1:03 pm

    Not for everybody, but I cannot leave Spain without my fix of Panteras Rosas.

    I would also add the sobaos or any other product by Reposterí­a Martí­nez.

    @hellothere.

    I think Marí­a is not a brand, but a kind of cookie which comes in different brands.

  34. hellothere

    7 Apr 08 at 1:54 pm

    @ Urgellenk, you are right ;)
    People call them Marí­a, that got me confused.
    I know the ones from Cuétara and Fontenada, but I think they exist under other brands too.

  35. Billy T.

    9 Apr 08 at 12:22 am

    Ben – What’s your favorite spanish beers and non-spanish beers?

    While visiting in Asturias last year, I could only get Mahou (red or green) or whatever was on tap.

    Many Thanks,

    Billy

  36. Ben

    9 Apr 08 at 9:18 am

    @Billy – it would probaly have to be Mahou, I’m very partial to the non-alcoholic version these days actually, Laiker. It tastes better than the real stuff!

  37. Pepino

    9 Apr 08 at 9:45 am

    I’ve never seen Mahou in Barcelona. Maybe it exists but it’s certainly not actively promoted? Estrella’s nice, but then I have to say that as I’m working for them. :-) I’ll just add that the WORST beer I’ve tried in Spain was Moritz. I believe they stopped making it a while back, but have recently started again. Oh goodie :-0

  38. Tom

    9 Apr 08 at 5:05 pm

    Pepino – Moritz isn’t that bad at all. It’s good for Barcelona to have two local beers, I reckon.

  39. Pepino

    9 Apr 08 at 5:27 pm

    Hi Tom, Yep you’re right about a bit of choice, but it’s just that Moritz has a distinctive taste that I don’t like myself. A bit of competition is no bad thing though. Just so I don’t plug Estrella Damm too much, I should add that I’m not a big fan of Voll Damm either.

    Jeez, I sound like a real fussy sod. The fact is, after a hard day, ANY beer is a very welcome thing :-)

  40. PalmTreeTown

    9 Apr 08 at 11:23 pm

    I’ve just found this blog….absolutely funny!

    I’d try… Aceitunas La Española (Olives)…

  41. Billy T.

    10 Apr 08 at 12:40 am

    Ben – Is there a story behind drinking the Laiker? Non-alcoholic beer = Beer without all the fun, right?

  42. Ben

    10 Apr 08 at 9:07 am

    Billy – must be getting older or something :) Actually there are times, like lunchtimes, when it’s just nice to get that beer taste without the sleepiness etc

  43. Lisa Stevens

    18 Apr 08 at 5:36 pm

    My vote goes to
    Bollycao
    Hierbas dulces
    ensaimada
    Nocilla
    and Nescafé Descafeinado – no other version dissolves in hot milk :o (

    This thread has made me SO desperate to get to Spain again… six weeks more

    I’ll be singing adverts all night now..
    ‘Don Simón, don Simón, voy a comer con Don Simón..’

  44. Patrick

    8 Sep 09 at 11:15 pm

    Hello i’m from the netherlands and i would like to order cacaolat, but where can i buy it online? or can someone from spain help me

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