Zest-O Cola

Zest-O Cola has been produced since the 1990s by Zest-O Corporation in the Philippines. It was introduced as part of a broader expansion beyond juices into carbonated soft drinks.

Zest-O Corporation was founded in 1980 by Alfredo Yao, who built the company on a simple but transformative idea: juice in foil pouches instead of the traditional carton. The design and name came together when Yao showed the packaging concept to a friend, who suggested Zest-O—from the French “zeste,” meaning citrus peel, with an added “O” for a rounder sound. It was meant to be pronounced “Zest-O,” though Filipinos quickly turned it into simply “Zesto.” The product quickly became a staple in schoolchildren’s lunchboxes and helped the brand grow into a household name.

Today, Zest-O produces more than 40 beverage and food brands, including noodles, chocolate milk, and bottled tea. The company also exports to over 40 countries, from New Zealand to the United Kingdom and the United States.