# Coke with pure cane sugar will soon be available! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [July 22, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205 "2025-07-22T23:38:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/82 "2025-07-24T02:31:03Z")
I know the mouth feel thing happens when you move from sugar sweetened things to artificially sweetened things. You can really tell, not necessarily because of sweetness. Diametrically different. But I didn’t think it would happen with HFCS and cane sugar. They are so closely related. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/83 "2025-07-24T02:55:03Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > For the record, I’m a Dr. Pepper drinker. I switched to Diet DP years ago, and while there _might_ be a taste difference between Diet DP and DP Zero Sugar, they taste of the food I’m eating completely obliterates anything that subtle. You might be interested that Liquid Death water company puts out a product called- “Doctor Death” (no relation) and it tastes a bit like DR Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/84 "2025-07-24T03:04:01Z")
Hmm, that’s actually a different thing. Those people weren’t trying to figure out which was which without sight, they were just describing them. So the study does say that sight influences taste (or at least what the participants thought they should describe). I don’t think it says they can’t tell the difference between the two. I think if you blindfolded them and asked them to say if a given wine was red or white they’d be able to. Probably not a meaningful distinction for telling stories, but IMO relevant for a scientific study. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/85 "2025-07-24T03:43:26Z")
Has anyone posted the Washington Post taste test yet? The verdict was strongly in favor of the Mexican Coke. (Gift link provided, I hope it works) [https://wapo.st/3IGMiRL](https://wapo.st/3IGMiRL) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/86 "2025-07-24T04:11:49Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Interesting. _That’s_ why adding a wedge of lemon to a Coke makes it taste better (a lot) to me. Yeah, for me Coke demands vanilla, and Pepsi demands lime (or maybe lemon). Coke is definitely more “spiced” than Pepsi, and Pepsi is more citrus. I remember doing the Coke challenge, and I was the guy who picked Coke 100% of the time. The two were obviously different to me side by side, and I preferred the slightly less sweet and spicier Coke to Pepsi. As for whether I can taste the difference in sweetener. I doubt it. I might be able to learn the difference, but there’s no way right now I would reliably be able to tell which is HFCS and which is sugar. I’ve tried Mexican Coke and, to me, it just tasted like Coke. I never tried them side-by-side, though. I might note a difference then. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/87 "2025-07-24T12:05:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Coca Cola Bottle plants used to collect the bottles from the stores. Then wash and sterilize bottles for reuse. It must have been labor intensive. Not extremely labor intensive: the bottles go through a dishwasher. They did have a person sitting watching the bottles come out, checking for flaws and stuff in the bottles. But overall, I think the cost was in the collection, not in the wash / sterilize. The plant I worked for suddenly changed from recycled bottles to new bottles. They don’t even do much glass recycling now – I think it used to be an adjunct to bottle recycling – those bottle used to last only a few cycles. The bottling business had been planning it for years – it takes a couple of years to build a new glass factory – but they hadn’t told the workers. Suddenly the bottle washer was shut down, staff laid off, and all new glass trucked in, instead of collected glass. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/88 "2025-07-24T12:17:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > INHO it is because Pepsi have citrus notes while Coke has spice notes. I don’t know about “notes”, but the recipe for Coca Cola is well-known, even though not official. It’s a citrus drink with bittering: the bittering includes caffeine (which is a well-known bitterant). As an Aussie, my preferred “citrus drink with bitterant” is “lemon lime and bitters”. My advice is, if you can find it in a store, don’t buy it. Supermarket versions are different to pub versions, and seem to be aimed at the under-12 market. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/89 "2025-07-24T12:27:25Z")
I once had a friend who swore you couldn’t tell the difference between name brand cola and store brand cola. Someone set up a blind taste test. Every person in the room could tell that Pepsi had a richer and more complex flavor than the store brand, including the woman who swore she couldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/90 "2025-07-24T12:33:58Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > I don’t know about “notes”, but the recipe for Coca Cola is well-known, I’m not sure about that, but there are a number of supposed and outdated recipes out there, yes. And, yes, both Coke and Pepsi have plenty of citrus. Coke leans into the spice like vanilla and cinnamon and clove or whatnot more, Pepsi buttresses the more citrussy flavors. It’s night and day to me. And my experience with fountain vs store bought soda is 1) the store-bought is definitely not aimed at 12 and unders. Look at all the people, at least around here, drinking Cokes in public. Heck, I don’t even know that many parents that allow their kids caffeinated beverages at that age. Maybe at the cusp of 12. And 2) I find bottled supermarket soda much more consistent than what you get at the pub or soda fountain. Some places (like McDonald’s) mix it well and are consistent. Smaller places like bars or ma-and-pop restaurants are not. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/91 "2025-07-24T12:35:49Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > In general, sweeter things tend to do better in blind taste tests, compared to not-as-sweet things. The flavor profile for OG Pepsi was/is sweeter than that for OG Coca-Cola. Given that, it’s not too surprising that Pepsi consistently beat Coke in those Pepsi Challenge stunts. And they never said more people like Pepsi than Coke. What they said was a majority of people _on a majority of tests_ preferred Pepsi. So assuming 10 tests and 10 people per test you could have had a situation like six tests - 6 people preferred Pepsi. On the other tests everyone preferred Coke so only 36% of those in the Pepsi challenge preferred Pepsi. I don’t think it was that extreme but I also think there is a reason they did not keep it simple and just say more people prefer Pepsi over Coke. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/92 "2025-07-24T12:42:07Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > And they never said more people like Pepsi than Coke. The only claim I could find from watching a handful of old and newer Pepsi challenge commercials is: “In taste tests nationwide, more people prefer the taste of Pepsi over Coke.” That’s the verbiage from the 2000 commercial. The 1982 and 1983 commercials contain exactly the same verbiage except say “Coca-Cola” for “Coke.” ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/93 "2025-07-24T12:51:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > “In taste tests nationwide, more people prefer the taste of Pepsi over Coke.” I’d have to look at them, but I remember the disclaimer that it was in a majority of tests. Mandela Effect, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/94 "2025-07-24T12:54:36Z")
The early ones have a disclaimer that says “based on in-home taste tests.” The newer one from 2000 does not. But they do say, flat out “More people prefer the taste of Pepsi over Coke” not something as convoluted as “a majority of people on a majority of tests.” Even the in-home disclaimer is just there to say where these tests were. They are not disclaimed as “on a majority of in-home taste tests” or anything like that. > **[1982 Pepsi Cola "Take the Pepsi challenge" TV Commercial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgr5kc5QdBU?t=16)** > > This commercial aired in October 23rd 1982 It appeared during a broadcast of the big movie "Bride of Frankenstein" on WGNO Channel 26. WGNO was an independe... Don’t know how I borked it from embedding right, but it’s at 17 seconds in. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/95 "2025-07-24T13:18:54Z")
Sorry, when I was talking about kids I was referring to “Lemon Lime and Bitters”. It used to be almost a standard recipe, but now that it’s in supermarkets it is not. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/96 "2025-07-24T13:30:56Z")
My bad. I completely missed the transitional sentence. I’ll blame it on my lack of caffeine. I need a Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/97 "2025-07-24T13:31:47Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > That said, I’m sure there are cola snobs, just like beer, wine, automobile, stereo and every other type of snobs who will not only insist there IS a difference but are willing to pay a premium price for it. There was a story long ago (iirc) where somebody replaced uber-expensive Monster audio cables with homemade cables made of clothes hanger wire, and nobody could tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/98 "2025-07-24T13:54:33Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Can you really taste the difference? In well-controlled taste tests, it’s highly doubtful most people would be able to tell the difference, any more than if raw vs. pasteurized milk was sampled under controlled conditions. HCFS is very similar in composition to sucrose, and [the majority of research to date](http://healthline.com/nutrition/high-fructose-corn-syrup-vs-sugar) suggests relatively equal health impacts. It’s not hard to find non-industry funded [research](https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/fructose-and-glucose-high-fructose-corn-syrup-deliver-one-two-punch-health) citing hazards of HCFS. The trick is running down direct comparisons with sucrose. Too much of either is bad for you. Disclaimer: I drink little Coke or Pepsi. Mostly artificially (unnaturally!) sweetened ginger ale. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/99 "2025-07-24T14:07:43Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > raw vs. pasteurized milk was sampled under controlled conditions I’ve never had bottled raw milk, but I’ve had milk from my grandmother’s farm and there is no mistaking it for pasteurized milk. It took me a few days to get used to. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/100 "2025-07-24T14:17:04Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > any more than if raw vs. pasteurized milk was sampled under controlled conditions. I can’t tell the difference now. I don’t know if it’s because I’m older, or because pasteurized milk has changed. I could certainly tell the difference in the 1980’s, and into the 1990’s. Milk is a natural product, and there are a lot of variations of diet and processing, but pasteurized milk had a characteristic scalded flavor that wasn’t anything else. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205/101 "2025-07-24T14:19:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yep, I do the same- or a lime wedge. Lime-Coke is available on those Free Choice fountains\* but the ratio is too high for me. I go with about 50% straight Coke and 50% with the lime flvoring. \*Maybe lemon too but I haven’t noticed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-with-pure-cane-sugar-will-soon-be-available/1021205.md?page=6)