The cylinder-shaped tubes call to mind the pastry bags for a cake icing, yet enormous in size. Around 50 centimeters in height, a dispenser holds up 3-4 tubes at the same time, whilst their colors force guests to stare at them in astonishment, for their appearance is rather odd in times when beverages these days tend to be stored in cans and plastic bottles. However, Georgians can’t relate to tourist’s bewilderment as their entire life, the word “Laghidze” needed no explanation.
In 1887, Mitrophane Laghidze was looking for something new in syrup-based beverages. Vilifying imported essences and flavors to mix lemonade, his search led to the invention of “Laghidze Water” - a natural syrup solely created with herbs and fruits. Georgians and people from other former Soviet states, such as Poles, Ukrainians, and Russians, soon discovered the delicious taste created when mixing the viscous liquid with soda water. Exports rose, sweet teeth found satisfaction, and Georgians praised its new national drink. Not long after, Mitrophane Laghidze founded a plant in Kutaisi to mass produce his new creation. His goal to prevent others from copying his drink succeeded and entire generations grew up sipping on a variety of flavorsome Laghidze- cream and chocolate the top favorites.
Forming a pillar of Georgia’s culinary heritage for over 100 years, artists repeatedly found inspiration and used the popular beverage in their works. Interestingly, it was mostly the dispensers with the raw syrup in which made it onto the canvas as opposed to the palatable water-mixed drink. The iconic dispensers allowed a conglomeration of colors representing the different syrup flavors. Over time, the product diversification grew, steadily incorporating flavors such as cherry, tarragon and quince.
The National Gallery decided to showcase these masterpieces, allowing the public to catch a glimpse of a century dedicated to Laghidze adoration. Commonly known as “Laghidze Waters,” the exhibition is named after a decade-long advertising slogan “Ask for it anywhere,” summarizing its popularity in a nutshell. Ending in a week, visitors are advised to hurry to see this homage to Georgia’s national water.
WHERE: Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery, 11 Shota Rustaveli Ave. Tbilisi, Georgia
By Benjamin Music