Gourd, Better, Best

Pepsi Launches Cucumber Soda

The Japanese are staying cool as a cucumber this summer with "Pepsi Ice Cucumber" - a new soda based on the crisp green gourd. The soft drink, which hit stores on Tuesday, doesn't actually have any cucumber in it - but has been artificially flavoured to resemble "the refreshing taste of a fresh cucumber". The mint-coloured soda is on sale just for the summer and only in Japan. Pepsi trails behind industry leaders Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, with about 15 per cent of the Japanese cola market, and also faces stiff competition from non-fizzy bottled drinks like green tea and coffee.