Artificial Sweeteners & Coke Zero

[Sunstroke]

I have to admit that Dave and I share the same opinion of Diet Coke. I had a roommate who liked Diet Coke a few years ago, so I decided to give it an earnest shot, in order to avoid having two different colas in our fridge all the time. By my 3rd Diet Coke, I had pretty much decided that I'd never in my life tasted anything so nasty that called itself a soda. I haven't had another one since that time...

[bsmooth]

I prefer throwback Pepsi with real sugar.

[Sunstroke]

I am genuinely enjoying "not" drinking sodas any more...and just wish I'd have given up the bubbly stuff years ago.

[bsmooth]

I am genuinely enjoying "not" drinking sodas any more...and just wish I'd have given up the bubbly stuff years ago.

I have cut way back on my consumption. I usually drink water if I order food or tea. Have not given them up completely yet.

[Phishfan]

I am trying not to be dismissive, but I just don't see how that's possible.  I did exclusively drink diet coke for a short while (like a week or something) just to see...  I'm not being dramatic - it tastes like it's been spiked with chemicals.  The sweetener overpowers any other flavors in the drink.  People must just have different taste buds.  It's not just that I don't prefer it; it's that it is so patently offensive, as a flavor.  ...and I eat almost anything.  Perhaps that could change over time, but as I really love Coke Zero and it has 0 calories, there's no need.

In agree 100%. The sweeteners used make it unbearable. No amount of time will change the chemical taste I find. Brian's statement is the same as if you told him drink regular Coke for a month and he will understand why we dislike diet drinks (or at least diet Coke).

[Phishfan]

I prefer throwback Pepsi with real sugar.

I was just going to mention this stuff. I prefer Pepsi to Coke anyway but the throwbacks are nice. Have you tried Mountain Dew throwback? It actually made it drinkable for me again (I had given up on it years ago).

[mecadonzilla]

Those Throwback Mountain Dews are tasty.  They're pretty similar to what Mountain Dew tasted like when I was a kid.

[Dave Gray]

Brian, I am with you on the syrupy nature of regular Coke, actually.  While I think it still tastes delicious, a full can pretty much makes me sick to my stomach.  -- I think it's just the sugar rush that I don't care for.  To me, Coke Zero balances the delicious taste, without the syrupy "grit" or thickness that sugar provides...best of both worlds.

[Brian Fein]

^^ so I'm not crazy?  That's a relief.

If I ask for Diet Coke in a restaurant and they bring me regular by accident, I can tell within the first sip.  Its nasty.

I guess the same "nasty" that you think Diet Coke is, but different.

Its all about what you're use to.

[Dave Gray]

Its all about what you're use to.

To an extent, there's no question.  ...but I think in this particular case, I think it has to do with a difference in taste buds.  I'm not kidding when I say it tastes like chemicals.  I don't think you can get used to drinking chemicals to the point where you enjoy it.

[Brian Fein]

I guess, I don't think it tastes like chemicals.  But, I've been drinking it for over 10 years, so maybe I just think that's normal by now.  Of course both Diet Coke and Coke are laden with chemicals, so I don't know why you'd be surprised with either.

[fyo]

I prefer throwback Pepsi with real sugar.

I was in the UK a few years ago and had something called Pepsi Raw. That might have been the best soda I've ever had. I thought the concept was brilliant, but it apparently fizzled. It was apparently introduced to "select" markets in the US, but I guess the demand just wasn't there.

The concept was a cola made with completely natural ingredients (and not many):