SodaStream is a popular brand of home carbonation machines that allow users to make sparkling water and flavored sodas at home. The company offers a variety of syrups to flavor the carbonated water, including cola syrup intended to mimic the taste of traditional cola sodas like Coca-Cola. But does SodaStream’s cola syrup really produce a beverage that tastes like Coke?
The short answer
While SodaStream cola shares some similarities with Coke, most people find it does not taste exactly the same. The SodaStream cola tends to taste lighter, sweeter, and missing some of the deeper, more complex flavor notes found in traditional Coke. The caramel color also differs, making SodaStream cola appear clearer. So while it may satisfy a craving for soda, SodaStream cola is not a perfect replica of the classic Coke taste.
Examining the ingredients
To understand the taste difference, we need to look at the ingredients in each beverage.
Coke ingredients
Coca-Cola’s famous recipe is kept secret, but the company does disclose the general ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine. Some of the signature Coke flavor comes from the kola nut extract, citrus oils, cinnamon, coriander, and other “natural flavors.” The caramel color gives Coke its familiar dark brown hue.
SodaStream cola ingredients
SodaStream cola syrup contains sugar, water, natural flavors, phosphoric acid, caramel color, potassium benzoate, aspartame, potassium sulfate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine, potassium chloride, and sucralose.
So while there is some overlap, SodaStream syrup lacks some of the “secret recipe” flavors used in Coke. The different mix of sweeteners also impacts the taste.
Sweetener difference
One of the biggest differences is the sweetener used. Traditional Coke uses high fructose corn syrup, while SodaStream relies on a blend of sugar and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame.
The complex sweetness of high fructose corn syrup can’t be exactly replicated by artificial sweeteners. Even though the syrup adds some real sugar, the SodaStream cola ends up tasting sweeter and less complex.
Color contrast
Another noticeable difference is the color. Coke’s caramel E150d coloring gives it a distinctive rich, dark brown color. SodaStream cola uses caramel color as well, but it has a much lighter, amber color.
This lighter hue is another giveaway that you’re not drinking a true Coke product. The contrast becomes very apparent if you pour a glass of each soda side by side.
The carbonation effect
Because it’s carbonated to order, SodaStream soda also has a fresh carbonation pop that can affect taste. Coke is bottled at factories and can lose some fizz during shipping and storage.
The livelier carbonation gives SodaStream cola a sharper sensation compared to the mellower carbonation of Coke from a bottle or can.
Taste test results
Objective lab tests have been performed to compare the taste of Coke and SodaStream cola. For example, in 2017 the American Chemical Society tested various cola beverages using a device called a mass spectrometer.
This equipment detected the levels of various chemicals responsible for flavors like vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, and caramel. The results showed SodaStream cola had a chemical makeup significantly different from traditional Coke.
When actual drinking taste tests are performed, most consumers also notice a difference between the SodaStream and Coke cola flavors. They describe Coke as having a more complex blend of citrus, spice, and caramel notes compared to the flatter, sweeter SodaStream taste.
However, in some informal blind taste tests, a small number of participants did have trouble distinguishing between the two sodas. This indicates there are some noticeable similarities, though the majority consensus is the taste is not identical.
Trying to replicate the formula
SodaStream doesn’t claim their product tastes exactly like Coke. Their cola syrup is made from a completely different formula.
Replicating Coke’s secret recipe is extremely difficult for a competitor because the exact blend of ingredients, ratios and processing methods are unknown. Even with sophisticated analysis techniques, the formula has never been fully cracked.
SodaStream didn’t attempt to steal the formula. They developed their own cola recipe that tried to mimic some of Coke’s key flavor notes. But without knowing the details of the original formula, their product was bound to taste different.
Burning question: Why doesn’t SodaStream cola taste like Coke?
The main reasons SodaStream cola tastes different from Coke:
– Uses a different mix of artificial sweeteners instead of high fructose corn syrup
– Lacks some of the secret blend of oils, extracts, and spices that provide Coke’s complex flavor
– Uses a lighter caramel color that results in a different hue
– Carbonation method creates a sharper soda water sensation
While the SodaStream cola is a valiant effort, the secrecy around Coke’s original recipe makes it impossible to replicate exactly. SodaStream didn’t have access to the details required to match the taste.
Does this mean SodaStream cola tastes bad?
No, SodaStream cola certainly doesn’t taste bad. Many users feel it has a pleasant cola flavor, though lighter and less complex than classic Coke.
SodaStream cola is rated an average of 3.5 out of 5 stars by online users, indicating it has solid drinkability even if it doesn’t perfectly nail the Coke taste. Customers praise it for quenching a cola craving and having a refreshing fizz.
For households with a SodaStream machine, having the cola syrup on hand provides a convenient way to enjoy a bubbly, caffeinated soft drink without having to buy disposable cans or bottles. The product delivers on affordability and accessibility.
Ways SodaStream cola compares positively to Coke
While SodaStream cola may not replicate the exact Coke flavor, it does have some advantages:
– Customizable carbonation – Users can control the bubble level
– Convenience – Mix soda anytime at home without going to the store
– No disposable packaging – More eco-friendly than cans and bottles
– Adaptability – Can adjust sweetness level by adding more or less syrup
– Price – Syrups cost less per serving compared to pre-packaged soda
For some users, these benefits outweigh a slightly different taste. Having access to freshly made soda at home is the priority.
Is SodaStream cola healthier than Coke?
One area where SodaStream does have an edge over traditional colas is lower sugar content.
Coke is very high in added sugar – a 12oz can contains 39g or around 10 teaspoons. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36g or 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day for adult men.
SodaStream cola is lower in sugar because the syrup concentrate uses sucralose and aspartame. Here is a comparison:
| Beverage | Serving Size | Total Sugar |
|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola | 12 fl oz | 39g |
| SodaStream Cola | 8 fl oz | 20g |
So SodaStream cola has about half the sugar content compared to regular Coke. For health-conscious consumers monitoring sugar intake, this is a significant benefit.
However, both beverages are highly acidic due to the carbonation and phosphoric acid content. Neither is considered healthy, so intake should be limited for both. But when an occasional soda indulgence is desired, SodaStream is the better choice for limiting sugar.
Does SodaStream cola taste more like Pepsi?
Some taste testers feel SodaStream cola more closely resembles the flavor of Pepsi rather than Coke. Like SodaStream syrup, Pepsi also relies more on sugar/sucralose blends rather than high fructose corn syrup.
And Pepsi is known for having a sweeter taste compared to the more acidic Coke. So the SodaStream profile of lighter, sweeter, and less complex does share some similarities with Pepsi.
However, side-by-side comparisons indicate SodaStream cola still doesn’t taste exactly like Pepsi either. The differences in caramel coloring, carbonation, and secret spice flavors remain.
So while neither is a perfect substitute, SodaStream cola drinkers are more likely to enjoy Pepsi as an alternative than Coke purists.
Does SodaStream cola taste like RC Cola?
RC Cola is a lesser known brand that some feel has a closer flavor profile to SodaStream. Like SodaStream syrup, RC Cola contains a blend of high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.
Reviewers note RC Cola as having a lighter, sweeter taste compared to traditional Coke and Pepsi. And it uses a mix of citrus oils rather than kola nut extract for flavoring.
These similarities lead some to conclude that SodaStream cola tastes more like RC Cola than Coke or Pepsi. Both beverages are lighter on caramel notes and heavier on sugar/syrup sweetness.
However, RC Cola does use real high fructose corn syrup rather than sucralose and aspartame. And the secret mix of spices would still differ. So the match is not perfect, but likely closer than Coke or Pepsi.
Does homemade cola made with common ingredients taste like Coke?
Some DIY soda makers have tried to replicate the Coke flavor at home using basic ingredients like brown sugar, vanilla, and citrus oils. But these handmade attempts also fall short of matching the exact Coke cola flavor.
The issue is similar to SodaStream’s challenge – without knowing the proprietary blend of oils, spices, kola nuts and other extracts used in Coke, it’s impossible to precisely recreate at home.
These homemade cola recipes may taste good. But side-by-side with a real Coke, significant taste differences are immediately apparent. The flavor is just too complex to be matched without insider access to the formula.
Can SodaStream cola be modified to taste more like Coke?
SodaStream users have come up with some DIY hacks to try making their cola taste more Coke-like:
– Adding a pinch of salt balances sweetness and enhances flavors
– A couple dashes of citrus juice brings forward citrus notes
– A few drops of vanilla extract enhances spice flavors
– Molasses or brown sugar syrup gives a more caramel-like sweetness
– Blackstrap rum or cognac adds subtle undertones
– Swapping in real cane sugar in place of artificial sweeteners
These modifications improve the flavor profile in a more Coke-like direction. But fundamentally, the SodaStream syrup is still a different formula, so the homemade blend remains distinct from true Coke.
Reviewing the key differences
To recap, the main taste differences between SodaStream and Coke cola:
– High fructose corn syrup vs. sucralose/aspartame sweetener blend
– Secret formula spices vs. generic “natural flavors”
– Kola nut extract vs. artificial flavors
– Darker caramel E150d color vs. lighter caramel hue
– Coke’s perfectly balanced flavor complexity vs. SodaStream’s flatter profile
Conclusion
SodaStream sets out to emulate the popular flavor of America’s favorite cola brand, but ultimately falls a bit short due to Coke’s secret recipe of carefully blended ingredients.
While not an exact replica, SodaStream cola comes reasonably close to satisfying a Coke-like craving, especially with some flavor customization. And the convenience of freshly mixing soda at home gives SodaStream an edge in some use cases.
But for those who expect that patented Coca-Cola taste, SodaStream cola is no replacement. Coke lovers will immediately notice the difference.
Yet for an affordable, mix-to-order cola alternative, SodaStream delivers a product many enjoy in its own right. It may not taste exactly like Coke, but with the customization options available, users can create a homemade cola flavor they love.
