American Coke or Chinese Coke
My first dinner when i arrived back to America was Red Lobster (for my Chinese readers, that’s a famous sea food restaurant). As i typically do at dinner time i ordered a nice cold glass of Coca-Cola. When i got the coke i took a big gulp and thought, “this sure tastes weird.” Then, i realized that there is a noticeable difference between American Coke and Chinese Coke. “What is the difference?” You ask. I’ve been racking my brain to put my finger on it, but i finally have a decent answer. i think what it comes down to is that Chinese coke is sweeter. Almost too sweet for my liking. But when i was in China i didn’t drink the coke and think, “wow, this is too sweet.” No, nothing like that happened. I simply found that while in China my little taste buds prefer Pepsi.
So pay attention, here’s todays lesson… If you are a coke lover and you find yourself traveling to China, try the Pepsi. I personally prefer Pepsi in China, but Coke in America. Interesting, I know. However, if you are a Pepsi lover in America, well then i just don’t know what to tell you. You’ll have to do your own experiment.
JoJo said
am July 24 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Hey! That’s funny because I had the same experience the times that I visited other countries. I’m a huge coca cola fan, but the pepsi just seems to taste better elswhere around the world.
sam said
am July 24 2008 @ 9:47 pm
i heard somebody say something…at sometime…about other countries having different food restrictions, i.e. in the case of coke, using natural or other sugars/sweeteners instead of high fructose corn syrup, thus, explaining a difference in taste.
but i just heard from a friend who, heard from a friend who, heard from another foreigners were messin’ around (with other sweetners).
Emery said
am July 25 2008 @ 1:09 am
You are wise.
Is Sushi popular in China? Do you eat it?
Lana said
am July 25 2008 @ 1:35 am
I don’t drink coke or pepsi.
All I know is orange fanta is better in hong kong.
Rita said
am July 25 2008 @ 4:10 am
I don’t like Coke or Pepsi at all. Water is the best. Juice is not bad.
Scott Fillmer said
am July 25 2008 @ 1:16 pm
My wife is a coke fanatic and she has had coke all over Europe but never in China. Of course we now have American Coke with Chinese lettering, don’t think that counts.
I will forward this on to her, so is an avid non-pepsi person so not sure if she could switch, haha, course chances are she will probably not be in China any time soon either.
VLR said
am July 25 2008 @ 4:14 pm
When I was in Scotland & Belgium I was surprised when they served coke/pepsi with NO ICE!!! yuck, neither of them won my taste test…hence I gave up drinking the stuff!
mom said
am July 25 2008 @ 9:52 pm
Caffiene free diet coke- room temp or cold, doesn’t matter- hope they have it.
QiQi said
am July 26 2008 @ 2:39 am
Seriously? I don’t think so. I just feel everything here in America is sweeter than that in China. Maybe diet coke tastes lighter? I only drink carbonated drinks when I don’t have any other choices. Besides, coke is a drink for men. I love lemonade:)
BTW, I ‘ve never been to the Red Lobster! Lucky kid(*_*)!
jared said
am July 26 2008 @ 5:34 am
well my friend.. you are a wise man.. some could call you a mini “wealth-of-knowledge”.. but on this one, I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree.. at least with my own experiment. We are currently in Hong Kong (not the exact same as mainland China, but still an SAR) and the Pepsi is still nasty. I just can’t drink it.
Yes, the Coke does taste different; but I would much rather have a different tasting Coca-Cola than an HK Pepsi. It’s just me.. and of course, I would do anything for a Dr. Pepper right about now.. or a Sweet Ice Tea!!!
How were the cheese biscuits at Red Lobster??
Amanda said
am July 26 2008 @ 4:14 pm
If I drink a coke, I definitely prefer a Dublin Dr Pepper…. hmmmmmmmm. Talk about a sugar coma.
katie said
am July 27 2008 @ 10:42 am
i think it’s the high fructose corn syrup… only in america…. it’s like liquid cancer … diet coke is different and better here [in HK] too… pepsi? is ok.
bek said
am July 27 2008 @ 10:21 pm
same thing happened to me in africa…that’s when i got my addiction to orange fanta
Mandy said
am October 24 2008 @ 1:38 pm
I don’t know if you still care, but I ran across the below comment on a High Fructose Corn Syrup discussion page and remembered your blog. Here ya go:
Coca cola in uk is sweeted with cane sugar,and in japan stevia (wich is better)i guess Coke would rather give us the crapy stuff (HFCS) to save them money.
Jonathan said
am October 25 2008 @ 12:27 pm
When I visited China, I tried the coke on the plane first and after that I was hooked on it and I am trying to find away to get it in the U.S.