In the United States, Coca-Cola is made from high-fructose corn syrup while in Mexico it’s made from cane sugar. Some Americans know about Mexican Coca-Cola and like it and you can find it in the U.S. They call it “Mexican Coke” or “mexicoke”.
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Formerly, the U.S. also had sugar cane Coca-Cola, but switched to high-fructose corn syrup in the 1980s.
Now Coca-Cola has announced it’s going to release a sugar cane Coke drink.
From USA Today: “Coca-Cola will add a new soda beverage made with real cane sugar this fall, the company says. Coca-Cola announced the development in its second-quarter report, according to a news release on Tuesday, July 22. The beverage company was reticent last week when President Donald Trump proclaimed on July 16 that Coca-Cola had agreed to use real cane sugar for its soda beverages sold in the U.S. The Atlanta-based company did not announce that switch, however, but said that this fall Coca-Cola “plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range,” according to the news release ‘This addition is designed to complement the company’s strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences.’ ”
“The new drink will carry the Coke name. ‘We’re going to bring a Coke sweetened with U.S. cane sugar into the market this fall and I think it will be an enduring option for consumers,’ Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey said on a post-earnings call Tuesday, July 22. ‘We are definitely looking use the whole toolbox … of available sweetening options, to some extent, where there are consumer preferences.’ ”
The CEO pointed out that they use sugar cane in other drinks.
“Quincey noted that Coca-Cola does use cane sugar in some of its other beverages including Gold Peak Sweet Tea, Vitaminwater, Costa Coffee iced coffee drinks, and lemonade.”
Yes, they are made by Coca-Cola but they’re not really “Cokes”.
What about other countries?
According to Newsweek, “…most countries use a variety of cane sugar or beet sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. The U.S. and Canada are notable exceptions, where high-fructose corn syrup is more commonly used in Coca-Cola products, according to the company’s website, which lists ingredients for its products worldwide. High-fructose corn syrup is also listed as an ingredient on the Coca-Cola websites for some Eastern European countries, such as Croatia, Hungary, and Kosovo.”
There’s an exception in the U.S. – a kosher Coca-Cola sold at Passover time, with pure cane sugar cane and/or beet sugar so observant Jews can drink a kosher Coca-Cola. The kosher cokes are in 2-liter bottles with yellow caps, and some Gentiles buy them too.
When Coca-Cola introduces its new sugar cane Coke drink, will it taste as good as Mexican Coke?
Accoding to Chloe Sorvino, no. She wrote a piece on Forbes entitled Why Coca-Cola’s New Cane Sugar Line Might Not Be As Good As Mexican Coke . Here’s why:
“Several people have asked me if I think this new product will be better than the cult-favorite Mexican Coke, which has been made with cane sugar for years and is a rare treat for many when they find it in a U.S. restaurant. I don’t think it will be, and here’s why: I doubt Coke will launch this new product in glass, as Mexican Coke is sold. Glass simply makes a better beverage, but tariffs are driving up the price of glass. I’d bet that the American cane sugar Coke launches in plastic bottles.”
