# Real vs artificial: preferences? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 17, 2010, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509 "2010-08-17T06:52:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/21 "2010-08-17T16:01:01Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > When it comes to butter, gimme the real deal. If all you’ve got is ‘buttery spread’, I’d just as soon skip it and just put jelly on my biscuit! > > On the other hand, when it comes to pancake/waffle syrup, I _do not like_ Real Maple Syrup. I much prefer the artificially flavored stuff. > > And you? Real Sugar, real butter, real salt, no fat-free anything. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/22 "2010-08-17T16:53:46Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > Real Sugar, real butter, real salt, no fat-free anything. Wow, you must have a tough time finding an acceptable tomato! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/23 "2010-08-17T17:28:27Z")
Artificial creamer is the spooge of Satan. I will drink coffee black rather than use it. Artificial sweeteners are right out, too. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/24 "2010-08-17T17:29:07Z")
I actually very much so enjoy [Smart Balance light](http://www.smartbalance.com/products/buttery-spread/smart-balance-light-original-buttery-spread) when buttering my bread. For cooking/baking, I use [Smart Balance butter blend sticks](http://www.smartbalance.com/products/butter-blend-sticks). Everything tastes the same to me with it. White whole-wheat flour, from King Arthur, has none of the hard or yucky texture of regular whole-wheat. On corn on the cob, however, I make an exception and use real butter. Real maple syrup. Fake sweetener in coffee/on berries: splenda or Truvia. Low fat yogurt, low fat cheese, 1% milk. Although those things are still real, just not full fat. It’s all about picking and choosing, IMO. I eagerly await the day that Pepsi or Coke are made with Splenda or Truvia. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/25 "2010-08-17T17:51:57Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > I eagerly await the day that Pepsi or Coke are made with Splenda or Truvia. Pretty sure I’ve seen Coke with Splenda before. [Here’s a picture of it.](http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/img/imagebrands/downloads/lg_diet_coke_splenda_20oz.jpg) It was introduced in 2005, so perhaps it’s not around much anymore. I’m just a regular diet Coke or Coke Zero guy, so I haven’t really noticed whether it’s still around or not. Pepsi 1 is also made with Splenda, but I believe there might be a little Ace K in the mix, too. edit: According to Pepsi’s website, it’s 40mg sucralose (Splenda) and 30mg Ace K in an 8 oz serving. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/26 "2010-08-17T19:33:47Z")
Diet Coke with Splenda is available but I only see it at Safeway grocery stores. I actually like the stuff better than regular coke. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/27 "2010-08-17T19:50:33Z")
Corn-syrup sodas aren’t “real” to me either. This particular food snobbery has the advantage that it tends to keep soda consumption down. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/28 "2010-08-17T20:05:35Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > > [@lindsaybluth](#): > > > > I eagerly await the day that Pepsi or Coke are made with Splenda or Truvia. > > Pretty sure I’ve seen Coke with Splenda before. [Here’s a picture of it.](http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/img/imagebrands/downloads/lg_diet_coke_splenda_20oz.jpg) It was introduced in 2005, so perhaps it’s not around much anymore. I’m just a regular diet Coke or Coke Zero guy, so I haven’t really noticed whether it’s still around or not. > > Pepsi 1 is also made with Splenda, but I believe there might be a little Ace K in the mix, too. edit: According to Pepsi’s website, it’s 40mg sucralose (Splenda) and 30mg Ace K in an 8 oz serving. _faints_ I had no idea! I saw it briefly, once, but never again. That said, I spend almost 0 time in the soda aisle; aspartame gives me headaches. That Ace K stuff tastes funny to me too. On Friday, before our little get together, I will be on the hunt for Coke with Splenda. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/29 "2010-08-17T20:32:53Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > That Ace K stuff tastes funny to me too. Does it taste funny in combination with other artificial sweeteners to you? The sweeteners seem to taste different in the presence of other sweeteners. For example, to me aspartame on its own has a bit of a sharp taste (which I don’t mind), but mixed with Ace K (as in Coke Zero), it tastes pretty much exactly like sugar to me. The Coke Zero is the closest diet drink to its full-sugar counterpart, in my opinion. However, I also think that everybody seems to taste artificial sweeteners in different ways. Which is is why they have so many different varieties on the market, I would suppose. For me, sucrolose tastes “oily” or something (weird back-of-the-tongue flavor), and truvia is just weird. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/30 "2010-08-17T20:47:23Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > When it comes to butter, gimme the real deal. If all you’ve got is ‘buttery spread’, I’d just as soon skip it and just put jelly on my biscuit! > > On the other hand, when it comes to pancake/waffle syrup, I _do not like_ Real Maple Syrup. I much prefer the artificially flavored stuff. > > And you? I think we must be related. I’m exactly the same about butter and syrup. Hmmm… Other things: I would vastly prefer half and half or whole cream in my coffee over skim milk. If I can’t have those, I’d just as soon drink it black. Oh, and I also love hard shell toppings, though I’m pretty sure the reason they form a hard shell is that they’re made entirely of fat that hardens on contact with the cold ice cream. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/31 "2010-08-17T21:02:55Z")
I prefer butter to margarine, but not enough to justify the price difference. Likewise for real and fake maple syrup. I’ve never yet tried an artificial sweetener that I’ve liked. There are several I’ve never tried, and maybe they’d taste fine, but why bother? It’s not like sugar is poisonous. And I like real cherries, but I like artificial cherry flavor even better. Which actually isn’t even made in imitation of cherries, but of pomegranates, if you trace back the chain of what’s imitating what. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/32 "2010-08-17T21:08:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I prefer butter to margarine, but not enough to justify the price difference. Likewise for real and fake maple syrup. Real maple syrup is so much more flavorful, I can use just a tiny bit (maybe one-quarter of a typical syrup application, judging by the size of “single serving” containers of fake syrup). I heat it a little to make it distribute farther. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/33 "2010-08-17T21:29:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There are several I’ve never tried, and maybe they’d taste fine, but why bother? It’s not like sugar is poisonous. When it comes to soft drinks, I actually _prefer_ the diet versions, because they don’t taste quite a syrupy and sticky. They’re somehow “drier,” for a lack of better word. I used to detest Diet Coke until about ten years ago. Now, given the choice, I prefer it and almost never drink sugared sodas. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/34 "2010-08-17T21:42:43Z")
I’m surprised this thread made it as far as it has without someone taking it where I’m about to take it, but on an analogous aesthetic note: Real. ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/35 "2010-08-17T21:46:27Z")
I am in the 100% real camp as well when it comes to food; no fake butter, artificial whitener for coffee, and half-assed Miracle Whip mayo stuff. I do, however, rely on an artificial \ in lieu of a man. My favorite is made of glass. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/36 "2010-08-17T22:27:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > > [@lindsaybluth](#): > > > > That Ace K stuff tastes funny to me too. > > Does it taste funny in combination with other artificial sweeteners to you? The sweeteners seem to taste different in the presence of other sweeteners. For example, to me aspartame on its own has a bit of a sharp taste (which I don’t mind), but mixed with Ace K (as in Coke Zero), it tastes pretty much exactly like sugar to me. The Coke Zero is the closest diet drink to its full-sugar counterpart, in my opinion. I think I’ll go with your earlier mention of “Pepsi 1”, with sucralose and ace K. I do love Coke Zero, but it still gives me those aspartame headaches, just not as badly. **Chronos** , what kind of butter are you buying? I’ve seen real butter for like $2 a pound and margerine for like $1.25. Hardly the difference between organic and non, or filet and strip. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/37 "2010-08-17T22:29:08Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m surprised this thread made it as far as it has without someone taking it where I’m about to take it, but on an analogous aesthetic note: > > Real. If this is in reference to secondary sexual characteristics, I definitely prefer those real rather than silicone, too. For that matter, I also think most folks look better with their natural hair color. ---
**Author:** ![Postariti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Postariti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Postariti)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/38 "2010-08-18T01:14:55Z")
I’m allergic to oranges and raspberries, so love products with artificial orange and raspberry flavor. I also love Miracle Whip. When I was a kid, I ate it with a spoon. Yum. I also have a weakness for the cheap “chocolate flavored” candy they put out at Easter. I don’t like it better than real chocolate, but it’s wonderful as it’s own thing. For a “real” thing I prefer, home made yogurt is much better than the manufactured kind that is full of gelatin. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/39 "2010-08-18T02:23:49Z")
I _love_ real maple syrup, but can tolerate most approximations. Except for the crap served by my school’s cafeteria: [Heinz Breakfast Syrup](http://www.amazon.com/Heinz-Breakfast-Syrup-1-5-Ounce-Single/dp/B0025UBY2G). This stuff is just nasty. Unlike **norinew** , I actually prefer artificial watermelon flavor over real watermelon. Same with blueberry. I guess I find the actual fruits to be pretty bland; I’ll eat them and enjoy them, but prefer other fruits. When given a hard candy or gum or something, though, watermelon and blueberry will often be my preference over the other fruits. As a kid, I couldn’t tolerate artificial banana flavoring and assumed I’d hate the real thing… when a babysitter forced me to eat one, I was pleasantly surprised by how the actual fruit tasted. (I still don’t like artificial banana, but more modern artificial formulations for use in baking commercial banana breads are at least palatable, if not realistic.) Artificial sweeteners in soft drinks and gum over sugar; sugar over HFCS. For **lindsaybluth** ; Diet Coke with Splenda isn’t bottled by all Coca-Cola bottlers, so if you can’t find it, contact the local bottler to see if they make it. If they do, it’s more likely going to be found at Wal-Mart than other locations due to its history (it was created by Coca-Cola at the request of Wal-Mart execs), but will often be slotted into other large retailers as space permits. Locally, you can find it at supercenter chains and larger Krogers, but not too many other places. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509/40 "2010-08-18T09:15:04Z")
I checked my kitchen Kraft fat-free cheese Kraft fat-free Mayonnaise Parkay Buttery Spray N-joy Coffee Creamer Crystal Light Lemonade Drink Mix I personally look forward to a future where meat is grown in a laboratory and most of our calories come from bio-engineered algae. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-vs-artificial-preferences/550509.md?page=3)