Holidaymakers have found over the years that familiar drinks like Fanta and co*ke taste different when you are abroad, and anyone returning to foreign holidays after a few years of staycations may find that the taste has changed yet again. According to experts the difference is down to unique recipes used in countries around the world - with amounts of sugar and juice changed from country to country according to local tastes and regulations.
In the UK, Coca Cola changed the recipe of most of its soft drinks ahead of the sugar tax - which means they can be sold at a lower price as well as being less unhealthy, reports ChronicleLive. Recipes in some other countries have also been changed in recent years.
Since 2017, Fanta sold in the UK has had a sugar content of 4.6g per 100ml, and after recent changes Fanta Orange sold in Portugal and Spain now has a similar sugar content. But in other countries the sugar content is much higher.
Fanta Orange sold in Italy has a sugar content of 11.8g per 100ml, almost three times as much as its British equivalent. In Greece, Orange Fanta has 8g of sugar per 100ml, and 7.6g per 100 ml in Germany.
There are also other recipe differences. The current version sold in Italy is 12% orange juice. The UK version is 3.7% orange juice from concentrate, according to its recipe. Greek Orange Fanta is 20% juice from concentrate.
Coca Cola explains: "We produce Fanta Orange across Europe and the juice content may vary in different countries. Throughout Europe, Fanta Orange is sweetened with either sugar or a combination of sugar and sweeteners. We are constantly working to reduce the sugar content in our drinks. For this reason, you may notice that the content of sugar or sweeteners in the drink varies from country to country. In Germany, for example, we launched Fanta Orange with reduced sugar content without any sweeteners."
The Spanish 'Limon' version of Fanta also now has 4.4g of sugar per 100ml, similar to the UK equivalent. In some countries, including Italy and Germany, Lemon Fanta is now sold only as a sugar-free or no-added sugar drink.
With Coca Cola the recipe is mostly the same across the world, although some say the water used in bottling plants can make a difference.
Coca Cola states: "The basic ingredients and process used to make Coca‑Cola are the same in all countries, although people perceive taste in very different ways. It is possible for the same soft drink to vary slightly in taste due to other factors such as the temperature at which it is consumed, the foods with which it is consumed, or the conditions in which it is stored prior to consumption."
They add: "Whether you drink it from a can or a bottle, Coca‑Cola is always the same. It’s the same recipe, the same ingredients and the same manufacturing process every time.
It adds: "Your perception of taste can be influenced by lots of things, like how cold the Coca‑Cola is or whether you drink it straight from the can or pour it into a glass."
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FAQs
Local Preferences: Coca-Cola, the company that produces Fanta, may adjust the flavor profile of its beverages based on regional preferences. This could include adapting the level of sweetness, acidity, or specific flavorings to cater to the taste preferences of consumers in different markets.
Why does soda taste bad all of a sudden? ›
There are numerous causes of dysgeusia. Some of these are related to changes in the mouth, such as a dry mouth, dental problems, or chemotherapy, while others are based on changes in the neurological aspects of taste sensation, such as pregnancy and migraines. Common temporary causes of dysgeusia include: A cold.
Why does Fanta Lemon taste better abroad? ›
But it is often considered to be more delicious when enjoyed abroad, according to the Mirror, which reports that it has finally uncovered why there is this discrepancy in flavour. The difference in the way the drinks taste is largely down to the difference in sugar content in the UK and abroad.
Why does Fanta taste better in Spain? ›
In Spain and Portugal, the sugar content is at a similar level to the UK. However, Fanta sold in Italy is three times higher than the UK with a sugar content of 11.8g per 100ml. The figure is similarly high in Greece with 8g and in Germany with 7.6g. This isn't the only reason for the differences in taste.
Why does my soda taste different? ›
Plastic soda bottles don't get a polymer coating like aluminum cans do, but another chemical in the bottle may impact soda flavor. Experts believe that acetaldehyde in the plastic may alter the taste of the soda because it's transferred into the drink.
Why does Mcdonald's Fanta taste better? ›
McDonalds mix their soda fountains to take into account the ice that they put in the drink- so the soda you get in McDonalds has a higher syrup/flavour content- than does a comparable soda from a can. If you were to wait until the added ice had disolved- you'd have the same concentration of syrup- as from a can.
Why does Coca-Cola taste different recently? ›
Infact co*ke today is different depending on where it is bottled, do to minor differences and imperfections in the filtered water used in the bottling process. So depending on where you get your co*ke it will taste very slightly different. Another difference in today's formula is the sweetener used.
Why has my taste changed all of a sudden? ›
Viral infections like colds, flu or COVID-19 affect your sense of taste. Inflammation. Any condition that results in inflammation of your tongue can affect your taste receptors and your sense of taste.
What illnesses cause a change in taste? ›
Problems with taste and smell can suggest certain health problems, such as:
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Poor nutrition.
- Nervous system diseases, such as: Parkinson disease. Alzheimer disease. Multiple sclerosis.
Brazil was the Latin American country with the highest brand popularity for Fanta, with 137 million Consumer Reach Points (CRP). Mexico was the second Latin American country where Fanta was most popular, with 33 million Consumer Reach Points (CRP).
Fanta originated in Germany in the 1940s. Ingredients vary by country. “Fanta in Italy has no dyes or artificial flavors,” a Redditor captioned a photo last week. The US version contains high fructose corn syrup and Yellow 6 and Red 40 food dyes, while the UK uses sugar.
Which country makes the best Fanta? ›
Malawi Fanta has been voted the best tasting in the world, which is why so many people are trying to get their hands on it outside the country!
Why does Coca-Cola from Mexico taste better? ›
American co*ke is made with high-fructose corn syrup and Mexican co*ke is crafted with cane sugar. Cane sugar is less processed than high-fructose corn syrup, so it offers a more natural — some would say purer or more clean-tasting — version of the drink.
Why does Fanta taste different in America? ›
In contrast, American Fanta contains high-fructose corn syrup instead of pure sugar and does not contain any real juice. Additionally, Fanta in the U.S. has a sweeter taste because it contains 73 grams of sugar per bottle versus only 22.5 grams in U.K. Fanta. Other European countries also differ in ingredients.
What is the difference between British Fanta and American Fanta? ›
the US version gets it from dyes (red 40 and yellow 6). fructose corn syrup while the UK version has sugar. Also there's no orange juice in American Fanta.
Did they change the taste of Fanta? ›
The recipe for Fanta Orange Zero has been tweaked so that it tastes more like the original, but fans of the drink aren't too impressed with the supposedly 'new and improved taste'.
Why does soda taste flat now? ›
However, over time, the carbon dioxide escapes from the soda, leading to less carbonation and a flatter taste. Luckily, there are several simple ways to recarbonate your beverage without buying another can or bottle. The most effective way is to add new carbon dioxide back into the drink.
Why is some Fanta more orange? ›
So, while the U.K. version gets its color from carrots, pumpkins, and orange fruit, the U.S. version gets it from dyes. And while the U.S. product has 62 grams of sugar, the U.K. version has 22.5 grams of sugar in the same 16-ounce container, making the former much sweeter than the latter.
What did old Fanta taste like? ›
The original German Fanta had a red-orange color from beets and tasted different from today's Fanta Orange; the flavor would change during the war, depending on what ingredients could be found. Back in America, the Coca-Cola Company—led by Robert Woodruff—did not discourage this.
