YumSugar

Who Done It: Coke or Pepsi?

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 04:27:37 PDT

The rock 'n' roll cola wars are back! Recent financial reports indicate that Pepsi's empire still can't beat Coke's, yet the latest Pepsi ad circulating the airwaves depicts Coca-Cola's historical icon Santa turning down Cokes in a tropical locale. His reason? "I'm on vacation. I'm going to have a little fun!"

Are you on Team Coke or Team Pepsi? When it comes to the battle, every drinker, it appears, has an intense opinion on the matter. After all, the brawl between Coke and Pepsi has been on since the beginning of time. How well do you know the history of these two famous American brands? Take this quiz to find out!

Source: Flickr User Captain Victor

Take the Quiz

Do You Want to Know the Secret Recipes Behind Iconic Foods?

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:26:48 PST

Earlier this week the NPR radio show This America Life claimed to have discovered the secret recipe to Coca-Cola. However, yesterday, Coca-Cola made it clear that the original formula is still safe. Every so often, this sort of news story pops up, where someone says they've found the secret recipe to a certain insanely popular dish, like Coke or Kentucky Fried Chicken's spice blend. But what I'm wondering is: who wants these recipes? With ingredients like "fluid extract of coca" and "neroli oil," is one really going to make Coke at home? What's your take on the matter?

Mexican Coke: It Might Not Be Special After All

Susannah Chen — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:30:17 PDT

Could the cult of Mexican Coke be nothing more than another case of the emperor's new clothes? That's what some analysts are asserting. The Latin American soda version has a fiercely loyal following due to the fact that it's made with sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup. But is that really the case? According to a new study in Obesity, the beverage doesn't actually contain sucrose, the sugar compound that makes up cane sugar. Instead, a lab analysis located plenty of glucose and fructose.

So what does this mean? According to nutrition authority Marion Nestle, there are two possible conclusions: either the soda studied was old and the sucrose split into glucose and fructose, or the company used high-fructose corn syrup instead of cane sugar. Which do you want to believe?

Source: Flickr User Mills Baker

How Do You Take Your Coke: Plastic, Can, Glass, or Cup?

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:30:06 PDT

If you're a Coca-Cola expert, well-versed in the company's slogans, special-edition flavors, and history, then you probably know that on today's date, in 1971, Coca-Cola introduced the plastic bottle.

However, when I go for a Coke, I want it ice-cold in a can. It just doesn't taste the same to me in plastic, and it gets too watered down in a cup with ice. Do you agree? What's your preference?

Source: Flickr User paulswansen

Would You Rather Drink Regular or Diet Soda?

partysugar — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 01:30:39 PDT

Do You Have a Taste For Diet Coke?

YumSugar — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:50:43 PDT

Today isn't merely Friday, it's also the birthdate of Diet Coke! It's said that on July 9, 1982, The Coca-Cola Company introduced the world to the sweet (but sugar-free) beverage, which became a fast favorite - and today it's 28 years old. To celebrate, we're going to break open a Diet Coke (OK; I admit to doing this regularly!), and we're tossing around fun facts about the beverage. Ready to partake? Let's get cracking on a can of DC, and this quiz!

Take the Quiz

DWR Dares to Make Over Two Classic Chairs

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:00:00 PDT

Classics are a bit like Texas: you don't mess with 'em. But Design Within Reach has pounced at the opportunity to give a few iconic chairs a little makeover, to no protest. First, over in Milano at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile furniture fair, DWR debuted an exclusive new collaboration with Emeco and Coca-Cola. Putting a twist on Emeco's 1006 Navy Chair, which is made of 80 percent recycled aluminum, the retailer launched the new 111 Navy Chair, a classic Emeco chair made from 111 recycled plastic Coke bottles - available in red, of course, as well as five other colors. The chair will make its US debut in DWR studios beginning May 16.

Continue reading to hear about the other classic chair makeover!

"Refresh Yourself" With This Coke Slogan Quiz

partysugar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:50:42 PDT

Happy birthday, Coca-Cola! On this day in 1886, Coke was invented, and that same year the very first slogan was introduced: "Drink Coca-Cola."

Well, the refreshment company has come a long way since then, and so have the ad campaigns. Test your Coke IQ with this fun slogan quiz!

Source: Flickr User André Banyai

Take the Quiz

Beverage Titans Team Up to Remove Soda From Schools

YumSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:50:57 PST

Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group have just done the unthinkable. They've banded together in print and television ads to promote their new campaign to remove full-calorie soft drinks from nationwide schools. The joint initiative, spearheaded by the American Beverage Association (ABA) and called Clear on Calories, hopes to tackle childhood obesity with actions such as placing calories on the front of packages, vending machines, and fountain machines.

Thus far, the campaign has involved removing full-calorie sodas, and replacing them with portion-sized options like juice, tea, and water. So far, Clear on Calories has led to an 88 percent decrease in calories from beverages shipped to schools in 2004 - and the goal is to have all full-calorie soft drinks completely removed by 2012.

Through the campaign, the beverage industry hopes to fend off potentially costly legislation, such as taxes on sweetened beverages. "The 'clear on calories' initiative will have far more impact in addressing childhood obesity than a tax ever will," Kevin Keane, an executive at the ABA, told Ad Age. Can the top soft drink giants harness their market influence to effect a healthy change, or should the government step in to take action?

Source

Coca-Cola Aims For First Carbon-Neutral Olympic Sponsorship

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:15:31 PST

When the Vancouver Games commence next Friday, Coca-Cola is aiming for its own gold medal of sorts: its first zero-waste, carbon-neutral Olympics sponsorship. The beverage giant hopes to take sustainable event planning to a new level with drink bottles made from 30 percent plant-based materials, delivered by hybrid cars and electric carts to cafés decked out in furniture that's made from pine-beetle-salvaged wood.

Staff uniforms and welcome bags will be made out of recycled bottles, coolers will be equipped with clean technology, and the company is purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for air travel and on-site transportation. I got my first glimpse into event sustainability at last year's SF Chefs. Food. Wine., but doing so at Olympic proportions takes another level of commitment entirely. I hope other food and beverage sponsors take note. Are you surprised by Coca-Cola's commitment to sustainability?