A production line in a warehouse in western Afghanistan churns out 24 energy drinks every second, feeding a thirst for the tonic used to mask life's hardships and lift wilting spirits.
The Taliban government has purged many signs of Western influence but a stimulant drink craze that arrived with US soldiers remains, and has even sprouted a thriving domestic industry.
The Taliban government has purged many signs of Western influence but a stimulant drink craze that arrived with US soldiers remains, and has even sprouted a thriving domestic industry.
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00:00The reason is that there is nothing else in Afghanistan.
00:16It is their habit that when a friend comes with a friend, you have to buy him energy.
00:22It is good for him.
00:33If you don't eat energy for a day, you will get tired.
00:38It is like a cigarette.
00:40If you don't eat it, you will get tired, have a headache, feel lazy.
00:52In the past, there was no production in Afghanistan.
01:16It was imported.
01:19In the past, there was no production in Afghanistan.
01:25In the past, there was no production in Afghanistan.
01:30We have been in production for 20 years.
01:35We have been in production for 20 years.
01:39We have found that the people of Afghanistan are more interested in sweet things and energy.
02:09When I first came here, I used to spend a lot of energy.
02:21When I first came here, I used to spend a lot of energy.
02:28When I ate, I had a lot of problems.
02:34It ruined my mood.
02:38Now I quit and drink water.