“[Mountain Dew]’s pretty much a religious obsession for me.”

—Chris Whitley, 27-year-old superfan of Mountain Dew, Jackson, Mississippi

Mountain Dew. Your parents likely warned you about the neon-green soda. Doctors and dentists despise it. Yet, across the United States—especially in the South and Midwest—there are “superfans” of the beverage who will not drink anything else.

High in sugar and caffeine, it’s the all-night elixir of gamers and programmers. It fuels skateboarders, snowboarders, and racecar drivers. And for some, it’s the perfect pairing for Doritos or Taco Bell fare.

Mountain Dew ranks as the third most popular “liquid refreshment brand,” behind only Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola. How did Mountain Dew become so popular, at a time when many Americans are looking for healthier beverage options?

Come explore the drink’s storied history, which began here in the hills of Appalachia.