It’s one of the oldest debates in soft drink history around – the cola wars. The cola wars refer to the long-time rivalry between soft drink producers, The Coca Cola Company and PepsiCo. Whether you’re a casual sipper or a soda fiend, chances are you have a strong opinion when it comes to the Coke and Pepsi battle. The good news is whether you’re a Coke or Pepsi fan, we carry both in our vending machines so there’s no need to fret. What really separates Coke from Pepsi? And when did the so-called Cola Wars start? Read on below to find out.
Flavor
If you ask most soda drinkers the biggest difference between Coke and Pepsi, nine times out of ten the answer will be that Pepsi is sweeter. It’s not surprising Pepsi is sweeter considering it has 2 more grams of sugar per can than coke. While many people describe coke as having a vanilla flavor, Pepsi has more of a citrus tanginess to it. This citrus taste results from citric acid being one of its ingredients.
The Start of the Coke vs Pepsi Debate
In the early 1980s, the “Pepsi Challenge” emerged as a marketing promotion from PepsiCo. The challenge originally took form in a single blind taste-test. At malls, grocery stores, and other public locations, a Pepsi representative would set up a table with two unlabeled white cups: one containing Pepsi and one with Coca-Cola. People were encouraged to taste both colas, and then select which drink they prefer. More times than not, people were choosing Pepsi over Coke which Pepsi went on to happily feature in much of their advertising.
“New Coke”
In response to this, the Coca Cola Company launched “New Coke’ ‘in 1985, a drink with a sweeter taste designed to mimic Pepsi’s success in the blind taste tests. Complaints started filing into the Coca Cola company almost immediately, leading to the phase out of “New Coke” in just a few months after its release.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s 2005 book Blink, he broke down the difference in taste and how it plays with people’s taste preferences. In his research, Gladwell found that people tended to prefer Pepsi in a single sip test because naturally people are drawn to sweeter sips. That same preference to sweetness doesn’t hold up when someone drinks a whole bottle or can. This is why many users prefer the smooth taste of Coke when drinking larger quantities. Pepsi, in short, is a drink built to shine in a sip test.
Pepsi and Coke Vending
Can’t decide between Pepsi and Coke? Wondering what bringing in Pepsi or Coke for the office would look like? We’re here to help. With Coke and Pepsi vending machines, drink coolers, and micro-markets the options are endless! Contact us today to get started on setting up your ideal breakroom space.
