Our Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Tourism has joined a viral online joke about the shortage of Diet Coke in India by posting a picture of a fresh tender coconut labelled “Tender Coke’o’nut” on its official social‑media account. The post carries the caption: “No worries for weight‑watchers in Kerala!”, playing on the idea that coconut water is a healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks.
The post comes amid a nationwide shortage of Diet Coke, which many consumers have reported missing from supermarkets and quick‑delivery apps. The reason is not a problem with the drink itself, but with aluminium cans, which have become harder to get because aluminium prices have gone up by about 14–20% and can production is running nearly 20% below demand.
Kerala Tourism’s “Coke’o’nut” meme is part of a wider meme wave on platforms such as X and Instagram, where younger users are joking about the “crisis” of not finding their favourite low‑sugar cola. At the same time, the state’s own tourist promotion quietly highlights tender coconut water as a natural, low‑calorie, electrolyte‑rich drink that is already popular with visitors to backwaters, beaches and hill stations.
In just a few hours, the department’s tongue‑in‑cheek image turned into a trending talking point, mixing humour with a gentle push towards local, healthier refreshments.
