Beep (circa 1962-2010, 2012-2015): An amalgamated "fruit juice-based beverage" from Canada, that developed a cult following. It was made with a blend of orange, apple, apricot, prune, and pineapple juices, along with canola oil, corn starch, added orange pulp, & caramel coloring
Beep was originally developed by Farmers Co-Op Dairy in Bedford, Nova Scotia in 1961, and within the next year was being marketed around the province as a "wonderful, dairy-processed product", promoted as a breakfast drink
From the mid-60's through the 90's, Beep was sold under license by dairies all over Canada. By the mid 90's, sales began to tail off, and distribution rapidly fell. By the time the 2000's rolled around, it was primarily sold only in Nova Scotia.
A few other factors contributed to its initial demise, though, notably the increased availability, selection, and low price of fresh fruit juice from the U.S., as well as a push by nutritionists and schools to focus on healthier beverages for kids, which Beep certainly was not
Despite public celebration by pediatricians and nutritionists at the announcement of Beep's demise, there was also an outpouring of grief from a swath of Canadians, especially in Nova Scotia, leading to Facebook groups, blogs, and online communities dedicated to mourning the drink
I've had this recipe in my recipe folder for a while, but haven't gotten around to acquiring all the juices it needs. It seems legit, though
celebrationgeneration.com/beep-drink-r...
As a Canadian who grew up on Beep, with no hyperbole, it is the sweetest food product ever made for human consumptiom. It is sweeter than candy, sweeter than corn syrup, sweeter than stevia concentrate. It was so sweet as to become scientifically fascinating. You cannot find a comparable product.
Bah, give me Five Alive or give me death.
Also, where's our Five Alive post? It's still a thing in Canada, but the US has been Five-Alive-less for some time.
everyone surprised about canola oil: those "not exactly juice" "cocktails" and "drinks" from juice companies still contain canola oil today! helps with texture and brings out flavours without having to use more... juice. still sounds gross though
allens.ca/our-juices/a...
I recall here in British Columbia that Beep was sold only in Safeway grocery stores. Its flavour was definitely unique, different from any other fruit juice then or since, and delicious.
I grew up in New England in the 50's and 60's and we got Hood Dairy products that were delivered by our milk man. The orange juice was just orange juice concentrate and water. We also bout frozen orange juice concentrate at the grocery store. I'm surprised that was not popular up there.
Canola oil acts as an emulsifier that not only keeps the product blended, but distributes the citrus flavor that isn't soluble in water, and gives a "cloudy" appearance to make it look like real juice.
I grew up on this. I didn’t drink milk because it was powdered at the time so this was my daily drink. I used it to wash down the cod liver oil pills my mom gave me. Back then we didn’t know the ingredients list, we were told it would keep us healthy. So, bottoms up!
Looks like Swish from Trailer Park Boys
"Swish its this Dirty, nasty, old, homemade liquor and you can barley get'er into ya. But my fuck, does it ever get ya some drunk!!!!" - Bubbles
This stuff has a very niche following of people of a certain age, from a very specific region of Canada, especially since processed fruit drinks hadn't really been widely available until the late 80s/early 90s. And even then, it catered to our local tastes more than the competition.
Canola oil acts as an emulsifier that not only keeps the product blended, but distributes the citrus flavor that isn't soluble in water, and gives a "cloudy" appearance to make it look like real juice.
Never heard of it and I’m Canadian. As a juice it sounds absolutely awful…too sweet for one thing! But having never tried it I suppose I shouldn’t judge. But as a Canuck I can think of a better drink…Canadian lager for one!
My part of Southern Ontario did not have this, or I've blocked it from my memory. We had Becker's Jungle Joose. Becker's store brand grape pop slapped!
All across Nova Scotia, as that is where it was originally made, but according to replies in this thread and Canadian publications, it was also sold in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Alberta
