There are two types of people in this world. The ones that sense no difference between American and Mexican coke and those who are willing to pay extra bucks just to taste a richer, more flavorful soda contained in a glass bottle.
Well, for the latter, it might come as a surprise that the difference in the Mexican coke flavor has to do with trade wars and an attempt of Mexico to protect its local sugar cane industry.
You might find interesting: How Fanta, the famous orange soda, has its origins in WWII Germany
Why does Mexican coke taste better?
Coca-Cola made in Mexico is different from the rest of the world (except New Zealand) and is simply because instead of using high-fructose corn syrup, it is made with sugar cane.
Many believe that this ingredient gives the soda a more natural and less “chemical” taste.
Moreover, the Mexican coke that is sold in American stores comes in glass bottles, rather than plastic ones or even cans. However, this is not the case in Mexico.
This comes from the original design of the Coca-Cola round bottle inspired by the cocoa pods.
Why Mexican coke is pricier?
As I mentioned before, trade regulations are the one to blame for the difference not only in flavor but in price as well.
Sugar has always been a very important business in Mexico’s economy, representing in the 2009 economic census 0.7% of its total manufacturing GDP, and 4.7% of all food industry, according to the Mexican Ministry of Economy.
So, if sugar is so important, it must be protected. In an effort to do so, Mexico has repeatedly tried to stop imports of high-fructose corn syrup. In more than one occasion, the US has appealed such regulations but, Mexico is still using sugar cane for Coca-Cola’s most famous beverage.
As a result, Mexican coke becomes pricier because it not only uses sugar cane but because of the taxes it has to pay once it enters US territory; and more recently, because of its high demand and limited availability.
If it is made of natural sugar, is it healthier?
We are sorry to tell you that no, it isn’t. According to health columnist Jane Brody of the New York Times, “When it comes to calories and weight gain, it makes no difference if the sweetener was derived from corn, sugar cane, beets or fruit juice concentrate. All contain a combination of fructose and glucose and, gram for gram, supply the same number of calories.”
This means that drinking it excessively and having limited or no physical activity and a poor diet might lead to obesity, diabetes, or heart problems.
