Al Dente Taste Test: Colas
Colas have come a long way from their humble drug store elixir beginnings. Now at the forefront of the multi-billion dollar beverage industry, colas incite passionate debate over taste, ingredients, marketing, and health.
The Guidelines
This was a blind test with six tasters and six colas. The colas had to contain non-artificial sweeteners (no "diet") and be widely available. We ranked the colas in accordance with the Wine Enthusiast 100-point scale:
<80: Unacceptable
80 – 83: Acceptable
83 – 87: Good
87 – 90: Very Good
90 – 94: Excellent
94 – 98: Superb
98 – 100: Classic
The Contestants
Brand: RC Cola
Company: Cadbury Schweppes
Claims to fame: great with moon-pies
Sweetener: high-fructose corn syrup
Taste: "tasted flat and sugary, like someone had let it sit out"; "plastic, synthetic aftertaste"
Ranking: 83
Brand: 365 Cola
Company: Whole Foods
Claims to fame: all natural; contains kola nut extract
Sweetener: cane sugar
Taste: "was very sweet but not in a fake sugary way"; "actual cola nut taste"; "tasted real"
Ranking: 85
Brand: Coca-Cola Classic
Company: Coca-Cola Company
Claims to fame: being "it" and "the real thing"
Sweetener: high-fructose corn syrup
Taste: "bland"; "very familiar taste"; "bubbly and sweet"
Ranking: 87
Brand: Pepsi
Company: PepsiCo
Claims to fame: choice of a new generation; winner of the 70's "Pepsi Challenge"
Sweetener: high-fructose corn syrup
Taste: "too sweet"; "horrible"; "some chemical aftertaste"
Ranking: 81
Brand: Mexican Coca-Cola
Company: Coca-Cola Company
Claims to fame: no HFCS; can be found at Costco
Sweetener: cane sugar
Taste: "surprisingly fruity"; "tastes like real sugar instead of chemical crap"
Ranking: 88
Brand: Big K Cola
Company: Kroger Foods
Claims to fame: it's cheap
Sweetener: high-fructose corn syrup
Taste: "really bland"; "passable"; "not much flavor at all"
Ranking: 84
And the Winner is...
While none of the contestants cracked 90, the overall winner was Mexican Coca-Cola, with Coca-Cola Classic coming in a very close second. Sadly, Mexican Coca-Cola is only available a Costco. We all hope that corn prices will outpace sugar prices so that more "real sugar" sodas will come to market. I'm looking at you Dr. Pepper--quit hiding the good stuff in Texas.
--Spanno
CB on June 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I have always been a coca cola drinker. During the infamous "new Coke" mess in the 80's I switched to RC or Dr. Pepper. Recently I came upon Mexican Coca-Cola at my local 'Cash & Carry' market - where local small restaurants go to pick up supplies daily. I find that not only does it taste better - like the refreshing soft drink of my youth - I only want one. No thirst when I'm done, if I can even finish the bottle. - CB
Spanno on June 23, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I had that same issue! I couldn't finish an entire bottle.
Flap Jackson on June 23, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Pepsi is awesome, Coke is terrible. Haven't had the other ones.
absolute zero on June 23, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I avoid regular sodas...will you be doing a diet tasting as well?
Spanno on June 23, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Doubtful. We're very anti-diet around here.
Chris on June 23, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Check the ethnic food aisle at your local supermarket for the Mexican Coca-Cola--my local Kroger's (Ohio) has it. I'm told that if you have a good kosher market nearby, kosher Coke is similar, if not identical to the Mexican stuff. . .
kevin on June 24, 2008 at 12:28 PM
As far as I know, "kosher Coke" is only available at Passover -- there are stricter rules for some Jews during Passover, one of which is avoiding corn, hence the no-corn-syrup Coke. (disclaimer, IANAJ.) I tried it for the first time this past spring, and both my and my wife's reactions were "This tastes like European Coke". Which was a good thing in our opinion. Hadn't thought of looking for Mexican Coke, I'll keep an eye out.
Different kevin on June 26, 2008 at 07:31 PM
You can ID the über-kosher Coke by a yellow cap. Here in San Diego it's only available in 2 L bottles - and they will eventually go flat/bad because the plastic is somewhat porous, so don't try to stock up a years worth of them
roux on July 02, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Mexican coca cola? Wow, sounds great. My father-in-law saved the old coke cans, "new coke" cans and classic coke cans. The difference is corn syrup vs cane sugar.
I always knew the "new coke" scam was to allow corn syrup in the mix.
roux on July 02, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Mexican coca cola? Wow, sounds great. My father-in-law saved the old coke cans, "new coke" cans and classic coke cans. The difference is corn syrup vs cane sugar.
I always knew the "new coke" scam was to allow corn syrup in the mix.