Ramon Lopez Irizarry
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Ramon Lopez Irizarry (July 25, 1897-October 8, 1981) born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, was the inventor of the original "Coco Lopez".
Ramon Lopez Irizarry was an agricultural professor at the University of Puerto Rico. In the late 1940's the Government of Puerto Rico gave a grant to the University of Puerto Rico (Universidad de Puerto Rico). The purpose of this grant was for the University to assist in the development of Puerto Rican industries.
In 1954, Lopez Irizarry, with the use of some of the funds, he was able to work in his laboratory on an idea that he had. Lopez Irizarry set out to find an easier way to extract the cream from the coconut pulp. The heart of the coconut has always been an important ingrediente in many of the desserts in Puerto Rico. The main problem was extracting the coconut cream from the pulp which was a difficult task. Lopez Irizarry discovered an easier way by blending the cream from the hearts of the Caribbean coconuts with the exact proportion of natural cane sugar. He named the product which he developed "Coco Lopez" and maintained the ingredients of the product a secret.
The project was so successful that Lopez Irizarry soon left the University and commercialized it. "Coco Lopez" became the basis for the famous "Piña Colada" drink, which made its first appearance in 1957. The "Piña Colada" is also known as the "Official Beverage of Puerto Rico".
Lopez Irizarry became a millionaire and his product "Coco Lopez" can be found in supermarkets worldwide. He eventually sold his product to "La Famosa" industies in 1966, who later sold it to the Borden Co. Lopez Irizarry was married to Georgina Ramirez-Banuchi and had four children (Rosabel, Myrna, Ramon and Jorge). He resided in Ocean Park, San Juan, where he spent his last years. Ramon Lopez Irizarry died on October 8, 1981.
