Is Ize Cola any good?

If you live in Cambodia, you will have seen it advertised everywhere from billboards to rubbish bins, but what is the story behind Ize Cola, and more importantly is it any good? Khmer Nights popped a few cold ones and did some digging to get the scoop on Ize.

I was recently at a table with two fellow barang when the subject of Ize Cola came up. One of our group, despite being in the country for many years, had never Cambodia’s flagship cola. After informing him that it was in fact rather good, this sent us on an odyssey that would lead us to interview Ize Cola PR Executive Leakhena Khat. 

To read our review of the past weekend’s events click here.

Ize Cola – The Untold Story!

Everyone loves the story of a plucky underdog, but when it comes to cola, that does not always mean success. Many a bad cola has come and gone over the years, but where does Ize fit into all this? Are they taking the game to Coke and Pepsi in Cola Wars 2.0, or are they destined for failure? Here’s the Ize take on things. 

To read about when Pepsi swapped Cola for Warships click here.

Can you tell us who you are and your position with Khmer Beverages and Ize?

I am Leakhena Khat, a PR Executive at Khmer Beverages (a business unit within the Chip Mong Group). Currently, I oversee press releases related to our business and activities of all brands at Khmer Beverages, which includes IZE carbonated soft drinks, Wurkz energy drink, Cambodia Beer, and Cambodia Water. 

How long has Ize Cola been on the market and roughly how has the brand grown since you first launched?

IZE has been sold in the Cambodian market for almost 5 years now. Since our launch in 2017, IZE has gained popularity among the young generation thanks to its delicious taste. Among carbonated soft drinks, I believe IZE is one of the few brands that immediately comes to mind of most young people in Cambodia.

It’s an icy-cold refreshing drink that represents a fun, energetic, and cheerful vibe. Right from the beginning, IZE has managed to gain a significant market share and lead in the country. Recently, we have updated the IZE packaging design to a sleek can shape adorned with vibrant color. The new design was well-received by the public, especially the younger generation, as the design made them feel “Loy Kalip” or loosely translated to a “Cool” sense. With the new look, IZE is even more appealing to our customers. 

Where do you produce Ize Cola and how many people do you employ?

It is produced at Khmer Beverages factory located along street 271, Phum Cheung Ek, Sangkat Cheung Ek, Khan Dangkor, Phnom Penh. Our company currently directly employs more than 1,000 people. 

I’m genuinely a huge fan of Ize Cola, how have you refined the taste over the years?

The taste of our IZE cola has remained the same since its inception, a flavor that is loved by many. Our company has made significant efforts and investments on creating this flavor through numerous rigorous taste and safety tests as well as focusing on high-quality quality assurance. 

What other products come under the Ize line? And why do you think people drink it instead of Coke, or Pepsi?

IZE carbonated soft drinks has three distinct flavors: IZE Cola, IZE Lemon, and IZE Fruit Punch, and they have all received global quality accolades from Monde Selection for the last three consecutive years in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Even though I think the consumer is free to choose any product they like, I am very confident that people who choose IZE doso because of its delicious taste, affordable price, and the feeling of pride one gets from drinking Cambodia’s best home-grown carbonated soft drink.

So, is Ize Cola any good?

I’m personally a big drinker of cola and given the choice I will sometimes take an Ize over a Coke and certainly over a Pepsi, but in the end, it is all about personal preference. By picking Ize though you are supporting local business, rather than a global behemoth and even more importantly, it goes great with rum…..

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