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Coke vs. Pepsi: Passions run high in Cola Wars

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BY MICAH MERTES / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Aug 05, 2008 - 12:49:59 am CDT



Friends and family have plenty of things to argue about: Religion. Politics. Sports. The Beatles.

But the most high-fructose-corn-syrup-ey debate these days is over soft drinks.

Story Photo
Passions run deep when it comes to Lincolnites' love for Coke and Pepsi. (Illustration by Clark Grell)
What's the difference?

Why do some of us have such strong soda preferences?

There's all this hubbub of Coke vs. Pepsi, and really, looking at the ingredients, the products aren't all that different. Both are made of carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid and natural flavors.

The natural flavors are where the pops differ. Coke includes a "secret ingredient" known as Merchandise 7X, which sounds all mysterious and daring.

Don't underestimate the impact of a small amount of flavoring compound, said Julie A. Albrecht, UNL professor of nutrition and health science. The slightest bit can make a big difference.

"But it's hard to say why one person likes something while another person can't stand it," Albrecht said.

Pop preference can come from a number of factors.

It could be genetic. The number of tastebuds you have can determine if something tastes too sweet or not sweet enough.

"There's also a lot of emotion going into flavors," she said. "If there's a bad smell associated with a product, for instance, that could have an impact.

"Flavor's just a very complex issue."

Though each soda has been around for more than a century, the two are still (and presumably always will be) competing for the world’s tastebuds.

Some may find it absurd to fight an ideological battle over pop. Over two products whose only difference is a few chemical compounds.

But for others, this is serious.

To them, why such a rigid dichotomy? Why do some people refuse to patron a restaurant if it doesn’t serve a particular pop? Why is this even worth fighting about?

We asked readers and got some surprisingly zealous responses from these soldiers of The Cola Wars.

Reach Micah Mertes at 473-7395 or mmertes@journalstar.com.

Why They Fight: A Case for Coca Cola

Harold L. Wheeler, 72, has stayed faithful to a brand of soda longer than most of us have stuck with, well, anything.

He’s been a Coke drinker since the late 1930s.

“When I was young, I used to go down to this little country store and always get a Coke.”

Several decades later, Wheeler’s got quite a collection of Coca Cola memorabilia — a whole room’s worth, in fact.

Sure, some of his dedication comes from nostalgia. But Wheeler said it’s really just the taste that keeps him coming back.

“I’m not saying I don’t drink Pepsi,” he said. “But if I happen to be drinking Pepsi, I need to put a little hard liquor in there to help the taste.”

A Case for Pepsi

For Lincolnite Loretta Fritcher, Coke just doesn’t taste right.

“I have no use for Coke at all,” she said. Too sweet. Not Pepsi-ey enough.

Fritcher and her daughters have always been Pepsi lovers, but when her son-in-law entered the fold, problems ensued. He’s a Coke guy. It stirred up a little family conflict.

Occasionally, to get her goat, the family replaces Fritcher’s cup of Pepsi with a cup of Coke. Like she’s not going to notice.

And it’s not like she’s going to change her mind.

“I’m 68 years old, she said. “I’m set in my ways.”

How does your Coke / Pepsi love affect your day-to-day?

The Red Team:

- Gene Brass: “If you’re not drinking Coke Classic, one might just as well stick with the supermarket house brand.”

- Gara Hansen knows which eating establishments serve Coke. If Coke’s not on the menu, she orders water or tea.

- Merv Dehning brings cans of Coke into restaurants that only serve Pepsi. All he orders to wash down his meal is a cup of ice. He’s disappointed by the number of eating establishments that serve Pepsi products.

“One would think,” he said, “that Go Big Red Nebraska would go really well with Go Big Red Coca Cola.”

- Sandy Amos of Tecumseh: “The worst day in my soda pop life? When UNL signed an exclusive Pepsi contract. This is modern America! This is the year 2008! Not being able to buy a Coke on campus is a true travesty.”

- On Gina Goodro’s last date, she asked the guy if he’s a Coke or Pepsi man. He said Pepsi, and there was a long, awkward silence. “Can you believe,” Goodro said, “that I married the guy anyway?”

- Charlotte Aspegren of Denton: “When dining out in the city, I most generally have to drink water. I think it is sad when a person cannot have a beverage of choice anymore. I love Coke, hate Pepsi. End of story.”

The Blue Team

- Shannon Montz drives around to different grocery stores to find the best deals on Pepsi 24-packs. 

- Cynthia M. Hodge knows which convenience stores have the best flavor of fountain Diet Pepsi. “If it doesn’t taste right,” she said, “I will complain and ask for something else.”

- For many years, Ruthann Rivers’ drink of choice was Coke. But then her son started working for Pepsi, so she switched sodas. Now her family jokingly calls Coke “the devil’s nectar.”

- Kendra Korbelik wasn’t always a Pepsi devotee. She used to hate Pepsi and Coke altogether. But about a decade ago, when she was pregnant, she started craving Pepsi. “What the ... ? I don’t even like Pepsi,” she thought. She’s been a Pepsi lover ever since.

- Toberlin Burger was “a blue can boy living in a red can home.” His dad worked for Coke, and he would bring home cases of the stuff. But Burger couldn’t stand Coke.

“I have no idea where my disdain came from,” he said, “but Coke just made me ill.” And it still turns his stomach.

- Betty Boitnott of Hebron just took a cruise to Alaska, and all the products onboard were Coke. That was a problem. First thing she did when the ship docked? Load up on Pepsi.

“Coke’s just too sweet for me,” she said. “I’m not going to spend $2.50 for a Coke I don’t even want.”

Is Lincoln a Coke or Pepsi city?

There’s plenty of both in the Star City. However, Pepsi’s probably the victor, and here’s why:

It’s the beverage of choice (at least officially) of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, three event centers and some of the most popular restaurants in town. And this month marked a huge punch in the gut for Coke in Lincoln: Marcus Theatres have recently switched to Pepsi products.   

Here’s a quick rundown:

Pepsi businesses

University of Nebraska-Lincoln: on campus at all sports events (except for one Coke machine at the Lutheran Student Center, 535 N. 16th St., which isn’t officially on campus grounds).

Marcus Theatres

Applebee’s

Misty’s

Quiznos

DaVinci’s

Valentino’s

Pershing Center

Lazlo’s

Haymarket Park

Lincoln Stars’ Ice Box

Coke businesses

McDonald’s

Wendy’s

Subway

Brewsky’s 

Ruby Tuesday

Olive Garden


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cokehead wrote on August 5, 2008 6:26 am:
" It's time to start a revolt and wipe the scourge of the blue can from the face of this town!!!! I say we start by overturning a few Pepsi trucks in from of Memorial stadium, dumping thier vile brew down the gutter and NOT recycle the cans!! Whose with me?!!! "
JB wrote on August 5, 2008 7:16 am:
" Real Coke has "sugar cane", not corn syrup. No real Coke in Nebraska. Go to Mexico, that have it. "
Pepsihead wrote on August 5, 2008 7:39 am:
" My family from Montana is all about Coke. My family from Nebraska is all about Pepsi. If I go to a restaurant or bar and they only serve Coke, I'll order a glass of water instead. Go Pepsi!!! "
Al wrote on August 5, 2008 7:50 am:
" We should drink neither. In fact, we should not drink sodapop at all. For one thing, think about how much CO2 gets emitted every time you open a bottle of soda. That fizz is made by carbon dioxide, which is then released into the atmosphere. Billions of bottles of the stuff relases Thousands of tons of this toxic greenhouse gas into the planet! All of the corn produced to sweeten these drinks requires fossil fuel powered vehciles to harvest and transport. Think about the impact of your actions people. Sodapop's contribution to global warming is something that Big Food doesnt want you to know about. "
kaigon wrote on August 5, 2008 8:00 am:
" Some places in town DO still sell the "Real Coke" with sugar cane. From Mexico. Just gotta look for it. Personally, I can't taste the difference. It's still Coke, and in the bottle / can format, I much prefer pepsi (though even still, I prefer mine in a glass with ice rather than straight out of the can / bottle). I'm possibly the odd man out though. I prefer Pepsi when bottled / canned, but in a fountain machine, I prefer Coke.

I truly hope that those stories in the article are exaggerated. Family strife due to cola brand preference? I can't imagine my opinion of a person being effected due to their choice in a drink. "
Cold Coke wrote on August 5, 2008 8:09 am:
" Pepsi is horrible. Would be nice if UNL supplied Coke. Pepsi definitely controls the market in Lincoln. C'mon Coke, step it up!! Don't get beat by the little blue can....... "
Nina wrote on August 5, 2008 8:17 am:
" Nothing can beat Coke Classic - but I can't have it. And Diet Coke is just plain yukky. So my favorite diet cola is Diet-Rite. Its taste beats all the competitors, hands down. I'll drink diet Pepsi in a pinch, but am glad McD's now has diet Dr. P, for a change of pace. "
All About the... wrote on August 5, 2008 8:33 am:
" I'm not a fan of Pepsi and definitely not a fan of Coke. But I'll take the blue can over the red one anyday. That and I'm biased towards Pepsi simply because they are the ones who distribute MT. DEW!!! WOOHOO!!! "
water wrote on August 5, 2008 8:35 am:
" I don't like either one. Never have. In fact, I rarely drink pop at all. Water for me, thank you.

This story has some funny moments, but people are taking this way too seriously. It's just a beverage. Your life doesn't depend on it. "
BobS wrote on August 5, 2008 8:36 am:
" As I understand it, Pepsi is not, officially or unofficially, the beverage of choice at UN-L. Pepsi simply outbid Coka-Cola for the concession contract several years ago. If Pepsi is the choice it has to do with money, not taste. "
Pepsi All the Way wrote on August 5, 2008 8:50 am:
" The best thing that ever happened was UNL getting the PEPSI contract! When you head south in this grand ol USA, there's also a glut of Coke - ewwww. So when we visit those southern states, I make sure to take Pepsi with me - only thing worse than Coke in a restaurant is Sweet Tea! GAG! "
colonel hollywood wrote on August 5, 2008 9:20 am:
" The day taco inn switched to coke was the best day of my life. Now i can get a weekend special (deluxe nachos and a drink) with a cherry coke. GOD BLESS AMERICA "
Pepsi is wrote on August 5, 2008 9:35 am:
" terrible. I can't believe that many people like it. The reason it is so popular is because people drink Mt. Dew not Pepsi. I would rather drink dirty bath water from a 90 year old then drink Pepsi. "
Viva Coke wrote on August 5, 2008 9:49 am:
" Mexican Coke (ie made with sugar cane not disgusting HFCS--corn is an additive in Febreeze, of all things) is available in any latino bodega in GI, and they even sell it here at Hy-Vee "
Mr. Snrub wrote on August 5, 2008 9:50 am:
" RC Cola, that's all I need to say! Every time I have a family reunion, there are plenty of hot dogs, Kitty Clover potato chips, RC Cola, and the slight smell of failure. "
John Holmes wrote on August 5, 2008 10:27 am:
" I never buy Pepsi to drink at home, but if that's my only choice at a restaraunt, I will drink it. The people who sneak their own can of choice into an eating establishment are lame.

Get over yourselves, people. "
John wrote on August 5, 2008 10:46 am:
" Back in the fifties Coke was a dime and Pepsi a nickle. When people had company they would pour Pepsi into Coke bottles so they wouldn't they they were cheap. "
JCB wrote on August 5, 2008 10:53 am:
" What about Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Long John Silvers? All formerly part of Pepsi's parent company, Pepsico, along with Frito-Lay. "
Nic F wrote on August 5, 2008 11:48 am:
" I just like when places have Pepsi, because I like Mt. Dew...although I wish more had Diet Mt Dew or Diet Code Red Mt Dew. I also like Mellow Yellow or Vault...but it seems like a lot of the places that serve coke don't have any citrus pop. At least my friend Dr. Pepper is everywhere. "
Pepsi Forever wrote on August 5, 2008 1:08 pm:
" PLEASE bring back Pepsi in a glass bottle, best Pepsi there is! Coke has a licorice taste to it YUCK! "
Unfair wrote on August 5, 2008 1:43 pm:
" at the movie theater I'd rather drink SPRITE than Sierra Mist. "
valerie augustaga wrote on August 5, 2008 1:50 pm:
" I live in the south now. they are coke freaks here! I hate coke! Good luck finding restaurants that sell pepsi here. down here if you say pop instead of soda they don't know what you are talking about It will always be POP to me!! "
KA wrote on August 5, 2008 1:51 pm:
" You forgot a couple of the big ones that serve Pepsi . . . Runza and Amigos! "
RoyalCrown wrote on August 5, 2008 2:40 pm:
" I like Coke not pepsi, diet pepsi not diet coke. but if i have my choice it is always RC cola. RC Cola is the best, but, don't tell anyone else. It is our little secret and we don't want to share with the coke and pepsi drinkers. If they find out, it will be hard to find. "
mike wrote on August 5, 2008 2:46 pm:
" Are we a red state or a blue state? thats what I thought. "
Royal Crown wrote on August 5, 2008 3:00 pm:
" RC Cola. Always was the best, always will be, I suspect.

Although nothing will ever beat A&W made from syrup! "
CC wrote on August 5, 2008 3:59 pm:
" We had some fun compiling this at work. We did some investigative work to confirm our findings. As you look at the list of other Pepsi "venues" it definitely adds insult to injury to Coke:
-Runza, Amigos, Lazlo's, Fireworks, Taco Johns, Carlos O'Kelly's, city pools including Star City Shores, city golf courses, Wilderness Ridge GC, Woodland Hills GC, Quarry Oaks GC, Iron Horse GC, Mahoney State Park, YMCA, Lincoln Zoo, Eagle Raceway, Embassy Suites Hotel, Lancaster Event Center, Nebraska Wesleyan, SECC and I'm sure we missed some others. Lincoln and the area is definitely pro-Pepsi. In addition, the Qwest Center in Omaha is Pepsi! "
cokegate wrote on August 5, 2008 4:10 pm:
" I prefer coke but the 2 sodas per year that I drink - who really cares anyway "
Nina wrote on August 5, 2008 5:26 pm:
" Since Atlanta, GA is the world headquarters for Coke, you'll not find a Pepsi in town, but even before the days of specialty coffee shops and McD's, you could find 'swayte tay' (known as sweet tea to those of us who don't drawl) and iced coffee at any restaurant. I agree with you RC folks - I've been told that RC Diet and Diet-rite are one and the same, just different labels. That makes sense, because they taste just alike. Both beat Coke & Pepsi, hands down. "
this is silly wrote on August 5, 2008 8:43 pm:
" The fight shouldnt be about the brand it should be what it is called...ITS SODA NOT pop, i can pop u in the face then drink a soda with ya!! "
hmm wrote on August 5, 2008 8:45 pm:
" if nails can rust in coke why would u want to put that in your body, drink a pepsi and burp the day away! "
PJ wrote on August 5, 2008 9:13 pm:
" I hate Coke because it's too fizzy. Nine times out of ten, you get Coke coming back up your esophagus. Not so with Pepsi. Diet Coke doesn't seem to suffer from this problem, but regular Dr. Pepper does as well. This all moot to me, though, because the Dew is the only flavor drank in this household. "
DWII wrote on August 5, 2008 9:47 pm:
" Yuck to both! DR PEPPER is the best!! "
Eric wrote on August 5, 2008 9:47 pm:
" Most bars serve Coke because its fizzier than pepsi, so the bubbles carry through the alcohol and the drink doesn't taste flat. Pepsi always tastes flat when mixed. Not bad to drink by itself, just not enough fiz. Suggestion, make it fizzier. A suggestion for Al: You as a human release as much CO2 into the atmosphere by breathing as opening cases of soda. So 1. Carry a large potted plant around on your back to erase your carbon footprint, or 2. Carry around a trash bag and exhale into it so as not to release this toxic yet strangely necessary for all life as we know it gas into the atmosphere. "
whatever wrote on August 5, 2008 10:07 pm:
" RC or Shasta beats them both. And JB is right, go south to Mexico and you can get the Coke of the old days. Or, find it right here in Nebraska, if you know where to look. "
Lincoln Bars wrote on August 5, 2008 11:29 pm:
" To Eric - actually most of the bars in downtown Lincoln serve Pepsi and you never knew the difference. Ask them next time you order a Rum and Coke, er Pepsi. "
JB wrote on August 5, 2008 11:37 pm:
" A lot of big restaurants chains don't serve Pepsi because they owned Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, and Long John Silvers, and they didn't want to be paying money to one of their main competors. That is why Pepsi's parent company, Pepsico, split up and separated the beverage branch from the restaurant branch. The restaurant branch is now called Yum Yum Brands. "
Pepsi tastes like wrote on August 6, 2008 10:31 am:
" a flat Coke. Coke is easily ten times better. You people are plain crazy. And a whiskey coke tastes waaaaay better than a whiskey pepsi. I can always tell the difference because it tastes way more sugary. "
DH wrote on August 6, 2008 12:33 pm:
" Coke is way to syrupy and flat. Dt. Pepsi is the only way to go. Visiting Nashville last fall was a great trip, but there was not a Pepsi to be found. When we landed back at the Kasnas City Airport, I ran to a Pepsi machine!!!! "
mack daddy wrote on August 6, 2008 2:50 pm:
" I own stock in coke but i spend my stock money buying PEPSI. Plus PEPSI has MT DEW and what is more eXtreme then that!!! "
Giles wrote on August 6, 2008 3:37 pm:
" I've enjoyed both products over the years. I used to drink Coke until they came out with the "new" Coke. I also disliked Coke in the can, the bottled product is much better. Pepsi has been my choice now for a long time. I think I'm addicted! "
Go Harold wrote on August 6, 2008 10:19 pm:
" "“I’m not saying I don’t drink Pepsi,” he said. “But if I happen to be drinking Pepsi, I need to put a little hard liquor in there to help the taste.”

Seriously. Best quote ever, and even the hard liquor tastes better with Coke. "
ARG wrote on October 15, 2008 3:44 pm:
" I wish I were a bazillionaire. I would buy pepsi and force the company into bankruptcy. That is how much dislike pepsi. I wouldn't hate it so much if the places that served alcohol used coke. who in their right mind would drink a Captain and Pepsi? Bourbon and Pepsi? I don't think so. May I should buy those bars that serve pepsi and put them out of business too....Coke is good. "

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