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Similar Blue Hawaii, Haupia, Lomi‑lomi salmon, Malasada, Poi | ||
POG is a tropical juice drink created in 1971 by a food product consultant named Mary Soon who worked for Haleakala Dairy on Maui, Hawaii. It consists of a blend of juices from passionfruit, orange, and guava (hence POG).
Contents
POG is produced by Meadow Gold Dairy, a subsidiary of Dean Foods.
Milkcaps
The caps to milk bottles inspired the fad game "Pogs" (or "Milkcaps"), which became popular during the early-to-mid-1990s. The game of pogs possibly originated in Maui, Hawaii in the 1920s or 1930s. Contrary to popular belief, POG was never sold in glass bottles with cardboard caps. By the time POG was sold, glass bottles with caps were obsolete. The connection between POG juice and milkcaps can be credited to Charlie Nalepa. He was hired by Haleakala Dairy as a marketing and promotions manager. Because there was still a demand for the cardboard discs, he ordered milkcaps imprinted with the trademark POG to give away as a promotional item. The 1990s craze using these milk caps was initiated by Blossom Galbiso, a teacher in Hawaii in 1991. She started using the milkcaps in her classroom, and told her students about an old game she used to play, by flipping milkcaps to be the first one to get the cream off the bottom. Her students began flipping the milkcaps, and the resurgence of the game of pogs began.
Mascot
The original mascot created when the POG drink was first marketed was called the "Izard of POG" who looked like a medieval gnome with stars and a magic wand. The "Izard of POG" was later dropped in favor of the current mascot called the Poglodyte. He is covered in yellow fur, stands about ten inches tall, and is known for his happy-go-lucky personality. Poglodyte dolls are considered to be good luck.
