NEED TO KNOW
- Poppi posted an image of a can in a new “Amaya Papaya” flavor on Wednesday, July 2
- The accompanying Instagram caption featured quotes from Love Island USA cast member Amaya Espinal
- “Just like our community, we’re obsessed with Amaya Papaya,” the brand told PEOPLE, referring to Espinal’s nickname
Poppi is paying tribute to a Love Island USA fan favorite.
On Wednesday, July 2, the prebiotic soda brand shared an Instagram photo that imagined a new “Amaya Papaya” flavor, inspired by the nickname of cast member Amaya Espinal.
Espinal, who was introduced as one of the Casa Amor “bombshells” in the fourth episode of the dating show’s current seventh season, has been embraced by viewers for her heartfelt emotions and quotable one-liners.
Poppi’s accompanying caption packs in references to several of Amaya’s most memorable moments on the reality series.
“‘We build’ a flavor for you! 🥹 we never said we were perfect, but this can sure is 🤭 let’s pour one out for our fave sensitive gangsta 🌴🫧 *cue the whimsical music asap* 😌,” read the cheeky message.
The aqua-hued can in the image features a yellow fruit and advertises “Sweeter Than Sugar” and “Always Our Babe.”
Peacock, the streaming platform that airs Love Island USA, replied to the post with another Amaya catchphrase: “I’m so gratatouille for this 🥹.”
Numerous commenters expressed excitement for the flavor, with one writing, “id buy this!!! we love amaya papaya.”
“IS THIS REAL??? Don’t get me excited!!!😭😭😭,” someone else wrote.
PEOPLE reached out to the soda brand to find out whether the flavor could become a reality.
“We’re all about digital moments that jump off the screen! No one does summer quite like Love Island. We’re here for the sun, the fun, and a little flirty chaos,” a representative for Poppi said in a statement. “Just like our community, we’re obsessed with Amaya Papaya — and let’s be real, we knew a flavor this juicy would spark some meme-worthy buzz. Is it real? We’re def sat and staying tuned.”
This isn’t the brand’s first encounter with Love Island USA. Season 5 Islander Rob Rausch starred in a Super Bowl commercial for Poppi earlier this year.
The brand also made headlines when it recently announced it was changing its root beer flavor, explaining that criticism from customers prompted the move.
“We heard you loud and clear 🗣️🗣️🗣️ you wanted us to level up our Root Beer, so that’s exactly what we did 😏😋,” read a message Poppi posted on Instagram in June.
“Allow us to reintroduce you to our brand ✨ new and improved ✨ Root Beer!” the caption continued. “We gave it a fresh new look and a bold new flavor and we can’t WAIT to hear what you think! 😍”
In an earlier post, the company shared some of the customer complaints directed at the old soda that inspired the change.
“Why does the poppi root beer can look like a Madagascar hissing cockroach?” read one insult, while another claimed, “Poppi root beer tastes like A1 sauce and coins, disgusting.”
Fans clearly enjoyed the creative takedowns.
“Y’all are so real for this one,” wrote one commenter, while another noted, “We love a roast.”
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