Last week, the Coca-Cola company announced that they’re phasing out their popular Coke Zero to make way for another drink with an “even better unique blend of flavors,” Coke Zero Sugar.
The reaction didn’t go over too well with Coke Zero fans.
Coke : no more @CokeZero . replacing it with #CokeZeroSugar
Me: pic.twitter.com/KXKyOUxb0J— Robin Meade (@RobinMeade) July 26, 2017
They were pretty upset.
I don’t know why but I blame Trump for Coca-Cola discontinuing Coke Zero. #cokezero #CokeZeroSugar
— DeAnn Kuhn (@deann_kuhn) July 26, 2017
Some were absolutely devastated.
So I hear they are replacing #CokeZero with #CokeZeroSugar and are changing the recipe.
My reaction, cliched but sincere. pic.twitter.com/cPWyd0GCR4
— Greg B. (@BTDGreg) July 26, 2017
But rest easy, Coke Zero addicts: Your beloved drink isn’t going anywhere after all.
The difference between Coke Zero and Coke Zero Sugar
The marketing geniuses at Coca-Cola recognize that more and more of us are trying to limit added sugars in our diets — and for good reason, since added sugar is to blame for everything from liver disease to obesity. So, they just swapped the name and kept the same ingredients.
Don’t believe us? Here’s the list of ingredients in Coke Zero Sugar:
Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzonate, natural flavors, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine
Compare that with the list of Coke Zero ingredients:
Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzonate (to protect taste), natural flavors, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you; the ingredients are exactly the same. Coca-Cola even admitted it’s only a change in name and packaging, calling it an “upgrade.” There are rumblings online about a slight ratio change of the ingredients, but as ingredients are listed in order of most to least used — and both lists match up point for point — there’s still no cause for concern.
“We’re changing the name to Coca-Cola Zero Sugar to be as clear and descriptive as possible about the product and the promise that it delivers great Coca-Cola taste without sugar.”
What’s the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar?
On the surface, Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar don’t look that different, either. Both are listed as containing zero calories, fat, carbohydrates and protein with 40 mg of sodium. The key difference is that Coke Zero Sugar contains two extra sweeteners not found in Diet Coke: acesulfame potassium and potassium citrate.
Acesulfame potassium and potassium citrate gave Coke Zero — and now, Coke Zero Sugar — a more distinct, sweeter taste
Will Coke Zero Sugar taste the same as Coke Zero? We’ll find out for sure when it hits store shelves this month. However, some lucky Twitter users have already tried it with mixed reviews.
Here is my official #CokeZeroSugar review. It does not taste like #CokeZero It tastes more like regular Coke. It’s not bad. Its different
— Phil Colvin (@Phil_Colvin) July 30, 2017
.@CokeZero Surprisingly lives up to the promise and does rate much closer to regular Coke. Bravo @CocaCola #CokeZeroSugar #cokezero pic.twitter.com/aFelwAQt2f
— Leslee II (@Echo2Zs) July 31, 2017
i was fully prepped to hate coke no sugar but going back to coke zero feels empty…
— girt cobain (@damjonuts) July 23, 2017
