It's not in your head! McDonald's Coke actually tastes better than other restaurants' sodas. Here's why.
If you’ve ever ordered a Coke at McDonald’s and thought it tasted better than any other Coke in your life, you’re not alone. The McDonald’s Coke difference isn’t just in your head, either. Coca-Cola aficionados have long maintained that the fast-food giant’s sips are simply the best. But why does McDonald’s Coke taste better?
There’s a scientific reason you prefer your soda from the fast-food joint’s fountain. And today, we’re getting to the bottom of the McDonald’s Coke vs. regular Coke debate? Read on to discover what makes McDonald’s Coke special and why fans swear it just hits differently.
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Is the McDonald’s Coke difference real?
Technically speaking, there’s no difference between McDonald’s Coke and regular Coke. The fast food company gets the same syrup delivered for use in its fountain machines as all other restaurants. And McDonald’s doesn’t add any special ingredients either. But the reason why McDonald’s Coke tastes better is that the fast-food company takes much better care of its Coca-Cola than most restaurants do.
Wondering how, exactly, it does that? Read on for the lowdown on what makes McDonald’s Coke special.
Why does McDonald’s Coke taste better?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “it’s the little things that count.” The McDonald’s Coke difference is exactly that: the result of a handful of small but smart steps the fast-food restaurant takes to keep every sip tasting fresh and crisp.
Here’s why McDonald’s Coke tastes better than everyone else’s:
Unique packaging
It all starts with the packaging. Typically, restaurants get their soda syrups in plastic bags, but Coca-Cola does something different for McDonald’s. The fast-food chain gets its Coke syrup delivered in stainless steel tanks. According to the New York Times, the material keeps the soda fresher, and your tongue can taste the difference in the freshness with each sip.
Specific filtration for better carbonation
Once the syrup reaches the restaurant, it doesn’t just become an afterthought. Both the syrup and the water (which goes through its own “proper filtration methods”) get prechilled before going into the soda fountain. Other places might rely on the dispenser itself to chill lukewarm water, but McDonald’s uses insulated tubes to deliver the liquid from the fridge to the fountain, keeping the liquid as chilled as possible, according to the New York Post.
This gives McDonald’s a head start in delivering the ice-cold Coca-Cola you crave. It also improves the carbonation in your drink. As soda warms up, the CO2 wants to escape quickly, according to researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Since the water is kept so cold at McDonald’s, the gas doesn’t escape, and the Coke at McDonald’s maintains its perfect fizz.
Secret syrup-to-water ratio
The fast-food chain is well aware that the soda will start to go from refreshingly cold to lukewarm the moment it is poured out. Of course, customers add ice to keep it chilled, but that can mean watered-down Coke. (And no one likes that!)
To fight against watery soda, the company factors melted ice into its syrup-to-water ratio.
Straw shape and size
The McDonald’s Coke difference isn’t just about the soda itself. One reason why McDonald’s Coke tastes better is the size of the straws.
Believe it or not, research from Oxford University’s Crossmodal Research Laboratory shows that even the shape of cutlery can change flavor perception. To that effect, McDonald’s has said its straws are deliberately made wider so more Coke hits your taste buds at once, making every sip taste bigger and bolder.
What’s the best way to drink Coke?
Now that you know what makes McDonald’s Coke special, try comparing it with the same soda from a can or bottle. Chances are, you’ll notice the McDonald’s Coke difference everyone’s been talking about! While a glass bottle might make your soda taste fresher than cola from a can, it’s hard to top the crisp, cold taste of a McDonald’s Coke.
FAQs
Is McDonald’s Coke real Coke?
Yes, McDonald’s Coke is real Coke. Between the special transportation method, the prechilling process, the wider straws and the ratio of syrup to ice, McDonald’s Coke is going to taste a little fresher (and better). But it’s as real as Coke can get!
How much is Coke at McDonald’s?
You can grab an extra-small, small, medium or large Coke at McDonald’s for around $1, $2, $3 or more, depending on what size you get and where you live.
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Sources:
- The New York Times: “Coke and McDonald’s, Growing Together Since 1955”
- McDonald’s: “Our Food. Your Questions.”
- New York Post: “Why McDonald’s Coke tastes better than all the other Cokes”
- UCSB Science Line: “Why does warm soda have more carbonation?”
- Flavour: “The taste of cutlery: how the taste of food is affected by the weight, size, shape, and colour of the cutlery used to eat it”
