Have you ever tasted Coke with sugar? Depending on your age, you probably
have, but not for about 20 years. Coke in the U.S. is made with high fructose corn syrup and has been for some time. In Mexico, Coke is still made with cane sugar and bottled in little glass bottles. And it tastes better.
The WSJ has an article today reporting that Coca-Cola is trying to fight retailers importing Mexican Coke for sale in the U.S. The soda company claims that in taste tests consumers can't tell the difference and that former Mexican residents are buying it for nostalgia purposes, but I throw the flag. It tastes different, and it tastes better. In Texas, every once in awhile someone would give you a Mexican Coke, and it tastes better. I won't drink a full-calorie Coke unless someone offers me a Mexican Coke because only then is the calorie trade-off worth it to me. But, Coca-Cola is fighting this bootlegging because Coke makes more money off of corn syrup Coke because of its distribution agreements.
Why doesn't Coca-Cola sell Mexican Coke here? I'm not sure how they would market it. Sure, there is Diet Coke with Nutrasweet and Diet Coke with Splenda, but I'm not sure if consumers want to be reminded that they are drinking "Coke with sugar" or especially "Coke with corn syrup." If some brilliant marketer can pull that off, and charge more for Coke with sugar, then Coca-Cola should try it.
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11. Posted by Mixco on May 12, 2006 @ 16:12 | Permalink
I just got back from a trip to Panama and Costa Rica. Their Coke is made with cane sugar and is even better than Mexican coke I drank in Cozumel on the way down.
Also, you don't see anything about "classic" on the can. I went to the effort to bring a can back just for the label.
12. Posted by Heather on May 16, 2006 @ 8:37 | Permalink
I would love to get my hands on some REAL Coke with sugar as I am allergic to corn and all corn derivatives, so it has been quite a while since I have had Coke. I knew about the Kosher for Passover, but have not found any. Does anyone know if I can order it somewhere? Is it too late? Also, for anyone interested, Dr. Pepper has 1 bottling plant in Dublin, TX that is the original bottling plant and they still make it with cane sugar. You CAN order it online. It is more expensive and you have to pay shipping, but for someone who can't drink sodas, it is well worth it as a special treat. And it is delicious!!!!
13. Posted by Marianne on June 18, 2006 @ 9:02 | Permalink
Horrors! I went to a grocery store that sells "Mexican COke' and suddenly IT is made of corn syrup as well. I am angry and feel that CoCa Cola Companyis finding another way to put one over on us. Has anyone else experienced this?
14. Posted by Dave on July 20, 2006 @ 21:54 | Permalink
I believe this could be due to a WTO ruling, that Mexico can no longer tax soft drinks sweetened with HFCS, which previously discouraged its use:
http://www.geocities.com/jonclark500/stories/coke.html
Which begs the question - why is the US still allowed to have a tariff on sugar?
The article also mentions that FEMSA, the largest Coke bottler in Mexico, already uses a mixture of cane sugar and corn syrup.
15. Posted by Keith Yearman on September 8, 2006 @ 21:53 | Permalink
That last post is accurate - the recent WTO ruling has destroyed Mexican sugar farmers. Mexican sodas in the glass bottles used to run between 90-110 calories (with sugar); the corn syrup versions are at 150 calories.
16. Posted by Paul Vallee on September 14, 2006 @ 12:06 | Permalink
Coca-Cola in Canada is still formulated with plain-old fashioned sugar.
Paul
17. Posted by gail on September 26, 2006 @ 17:10 | Permalink
Where in Canada? I live in MN and would take a road trip in a heartbeat.
18. Posted by mike on October 8, 2006 @ 14:30 | Permalink
heck the price is sugar is still low, HFCS is so bad , the curve for obesity in the US follows it's use beginining from 1980 on in this country, drink a 12 oz coke in Mexico you feel full, drink a 32 oz big gulp and you can reach for another without problem. bring on the the sugar!
It does sound strange to say Mexican Coke.
19. Posted by Abbey on October 29, 2006 @ 0:34 | Permalink
Australian Coke is also made with real sugar. We just came back with one 250mL can and now we're sorry we did not attempt to bring back more. Anyway, it's delicious... Kosher soda is okay, but it isn't sugar coke. You can't find any beverages with HFCS in it in Australia unless you are buying an American bottled drink. I refuse to drink anymore HFCS.
20. Posted by Loxa on November 21, 2006 @ 9:05 | Permalink
I have some Coke from Mexico in my fridge right now. It was bottled in Monterrey and still contains sugar. Maybe Mexico is phasing out the sugar, but I sure hope not.
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