The New Pepsi Challenge
Dave Koch | Friday, May 28, 2010 at 5:00AM 
The New Pepsi Challenge
In the late 1970's Pepsi began doing public blind taste tests where subjects would take sips of both Coca-Cola and Pepsi - and choose which one they liked better. They found they had a slight edge in these tastings over Coke and ran the claim, "Nationwide, more people prefer the taste of Pepsi over Coca-Cola."
I remember these ads clearly. I also remember being a big proponent of Coke at a young age, but I couldn't tell you why. Even though Pepsi was, "The Choice of a New Generation," I felt angry that so many foolish people would incorrectly pick Pepsi when Coke was so clearly better.
In his amazing book Blink, author Malcom Gladwell actually describes some of the nuances of taste tests that the Pepsi Executives may-or-may-not-have knowingly taken advantage of. When testers are asked to take only a sip, Pepsi, being slightly sweeter than Coke may be chosen more often even though many might think its flavor cloying over the course of a whole drink.
Anymore, the two are equal in my book; and although I don't drink sodas often, they go great with Mexican food. When I figure out why, I'll let you know.
So, what's the New Pepsi Challenge? Last year, Pepsi and Mountain Dew released "Throwback" versions of their sodas made with cane sugar instead of corn syrup. Just like the good old days, you know, 1980. They were released only for a limited time and came in old-fashion cans, which I think look pretty cool myself.
I bought a 12-pack of each the Throwback Pepsi and the regular one and conducted my own New Pepsi Challenge asking testers to see if they could choose the one made with real sugar over the one made with corn syrup.
While some people just made their guess, some added that they preferred one over the other. Some people even said, "I think this one is corn syrup AND I think I like it better." Although I could discern a very slight difference in flavor, I couldn't tell you beyond a guess which one was which. I also didnt prefer one over the other.
They both tasted like sour carbonated sugar water.
And your results: 8 vs 8. A tie.
Reader Comments (3)
Interesting. Although I gave up sugar (corn syrup) soda a decade ago I still consider myself a coke-man! Partly because Diet Coke still has the occasional pull on my heart. GREG
Last summer in Japan, there was Shiso Pepsi. ( I have many shiso leaves in my garden now. Would you like some? ) Also, there was Blue Hawaii Pepsi too. Japan and US have totally different marketing strategies. Interesting.
Blue Hawaii Pepsi? I could only imagine what that would taste like in Japan. Was it squid ink flavored?