Why Does Fountain Pop Taste Better?

• Soda machine drinks are created right in the machine. It ensures a fresher taste. …
• Ice also plays a part in the taste difference. You aren’t adding ice when you drink it from the can. …
• The type of straw you use can also make a big difference. …

In general, fountain soft drinks taste better than their bottled counterparts. The reason: A possible chemical reaction between the syrup and the carbonated water has not had time to take place. As a result you taste the dispersed syrup and the slightly acidic carbonated water separately.

Fountain sodas are also most often served with ice — as was ours, picked up from a nearby McDonald’s — which dilutes the drink. That’s the appeal of fountain sodas to some, but we recognize that our tests aren’t exactly scientific. That said, our results were interesting.

We also keep our fountain beverage system cold so your drink can always be at the peak of refreshing. In order to ensure our drinks are always meeting a gold standard, we have proper filtration methods in place.”

The straw, which is slightly wider than other fast food chains, McDonald’s said. Whether you agree with the claim that McDonald’s has the best fountain drinks or not, the chain says its goal is to ensure that its Coke tastes the same as when you buy it in the bottle. As of April 2017, McDonald’s is offering any size soft drinks for just $1.

Why does fountain soda taste different?

Temperature, straws, cups, ice cubes, carbonation, water sources, and the varying levels of sweetness achieved with different ratios of fountain soda syrups all play a role in its unique taste — for better or worse.

Fountain soda’s three main components: water, syrup, and bubbles. Shutterstock. According to Insider, fountain sodas “are mixed from flavored syrup and carbonated water right in the machine,” which may lead to variations in the ratio of syrup to water (the reason why those aforementioned soda snobs often have a preference on exactly …

Some experts claim that tall glasses are optimal for holding carbonated beverages so that the carbonation can move around and “continue to mix the drink” — by contrast, aluminum cans release carbonation faster, followed by glass and plastic (via Today ).

But fountain sodas have enough of a fan base to prompt posts on Reddit asking the question: Why does it taste so much better?

With 5 parts water in a fountain soda, not to mention the ice that’s usually added, the water in an establishment definitely affects the end product. MSN points out that a business like McDonald’s uses filtered water for consistency across locations, but local purveyors may use tap water, leading to different tastes according to region.

Similarly, ice itself can also impact flavor. Insider notes that, aside from its cooling properties, ice diminishes the drink’s sweetness as it melts — a side effect that some prefer, and others complain tastes watered-down. Even ice shape matters, as Today explains that “crushed or ‘chewable’ ice … has more surface area for the bubbles to grab onto.”

Today notes that the machine’s pressure maintains the proper level of carbonation and “needs to be constantly calibrated,” but if this step is not followed by the operator , soda sippers receive a product that, unfortunately, falls flat.

Why does soda taste better in glass bottles?

This explains why soda may taste best from a glass bottle, as there aren’t any reactions affecting the flavor profile.

The water that’s mixed in with the syrup and the carbonation. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. See, soda machines at the Golden Arches, for example, use filtered water to keep the taste of its fountain drinks consistent.

Like wine, water has terroir, which lets you actually taste the region and depth from which it comes, according to water sommelier Martin Riese. The folks over at Mickey D’s are self-aware and know consumers love their Coca-Cola, so much so that on the restaurant’s FAQ page, they address the topic.

But, the polymer lining aluminum soda cans could absorb flavors. When it comes to plastic bottles, soda drinkers might find that some of the acetaldehyde transfers over into the drink, affecting the flavor. While the FDA regulates chemical contact, even trace amounts might have an impact on flavor, explains Popular Science. …