Coke is it and I’m loving it.
In this unstable world of severely fluctuating markets, global terrorism and infighting of American Idol judges, we have little to count on. The “rocks” that I cling to, personally, include my lovely wife, my fabulous daughter and the fact that a Coca-Cola® served at McDonald’s® is better tasting than any other Coke in the world. But even this pillar of truth has been attacked by close friends and respected coworkers.
But I’m telling you it’s true.
A Coke from McDonald’s tastes sweeter, is more satisfying and tickles my taste buds with light citrus notes. In fact, when I’m at other Coke-serving restaurants, I’ll ask for a slice of lemon in an attempt to recreate that great “Golden Arches” experience.
After years of defending my position, I finally asked The Great Oracle if there was anyone else out there like me. Google said, “Yes, you are not alone.” It turns out that several forum posts, and Yahoo Answers pages, are devoted to the idea.
UNNXMAL.com featured a Coke fan asking a McDonald’s shift manager about it – he told her they “pre-chill” the syrup before it gets mixed and dispensed, so straight from the fountain (with no ice) your drink is quite cold. Other restaurants pour room temperature soda into a cup of ice – creating instantly-watered-down-Coke.
But I am confident that it goes beyond not being “watered down.”
The folks who took the time to comment on a Yahoo Answers thread postulated on several theories:
1. McDonald’s uses more carbonation and less syrup.
This doesn’t seem to be true, as I have found it’s actually sweeter.
2. Freshness of product.
I think there is some merit to this.
3. The quality of the local municipality’s tap water.
This makes sense. Note to self: Do not order a Coke in Love Canal, NY.
And others say that McDonald’s just cleans its machines more thoroughly and more often. I have performed my own blind taste test – pitting a McDonald’s Coke against a can. Each was placed in a glass, and I readily picked the McDonald’s coke.
So, what does this mean? Have I fallen into the chasm of Brand Evangelism? Have years of habit petrified into years of devotion? Were my taste buds horribly disfigured in a freak soda accident? Maybe it’s simple truth. Or maybe it just means that I will never deviate from my drink order, and I will carry that allegiance to my grave. All I can really say is: Have a (McDonald’s) Coke and a smile.
August 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I too have often pondered why McDonald’s Coke was so much sweeter. i always figured it had to do with the ratio of syrup to CO2. Maybe they are trying to be “greener” by using less CO2?
Either way works for me. The thing that sucks though is hitting Jack in the Box for egg rolls and then having to go across the street for a good Coke.
If Mickey D’s would only improve their food, I would have to make two trips thru the drive thru…
August 9th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Working at the arches for a few years I do not recall anyone ever washing the dispensers, just the tips. Furthermore, all the syrup is at room temperature unless coming straight off the truck into the system. This may just be where I live, but thats my experience. And I actually find a glass bottle of coke to be much crisper. There is a bottling plant in Winona, MN where I get my fix every now and then.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I really need a McDonald’s Coke now…
: |
October 13th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I think you are right. McDonald’s is all about consistency. But did you pit your McDonald’s Coke against other fountain Cokes? If not, I cannot accept this study as scientifically significant.
My contention is that fountain Cokes (or just about any soda, for that matter) typically taste better than cans, from McDonald’s or anywhere else. I admit there is the potential for ill-maintained machines and the like to yield nasty results. But in short, when it comes to soda from the fountain, the valleys may be lower, but the peaks are higher.
Than cans, that is.
Thoughts?