We’re settling the debate with a blind taste test.
People have strong opinions about their Coca-Cola—whether it’s die-hard Diet Coke fans or those who swear by Coke only if it’s poured from a fountain.
In the South, many believe that Coca-Cola tastes best from the old-school glass bottles. While harder to find than cans or plastic bottles, glass-bottled Coke is still available in major grocery stores, albeit at a higher price than its original five-cent tag. Whether it’s nostalgia or science, we wanted to test the theory. So, we conducted a blind taste test with a few editors, sampling Coca-Cola from a can, a glass bottle, and a plastic bottle. The results were surprising!
How We Tested
We asked eight Southern Living editors to sample soda from three cups labeled A, B, and C. Each cup contained regular American Coca-Cola from a can, plastic bottle, or glass bottle. In this blind test, editors ranked their preferences and shared tasting notes.
To keep things fair, all three types of Coke were poured into identical paper cups. Fountain soda wasn’t included, as soda from fountains can vary in syrup and carbonation levels.
All sodas were regular Coca-Cola (no diet or Mexican Coke) and were refrigerated overnight. The containers were opened and served cold at the same time to ensure equal carbonation.
What Our Editors Thought
Each editor compared the sweetness, carbonation, and flavor of the samples. Here’s what they had to say:
The Can
Six out of eight editors felt this version was the most carbonated. “It tastes like what I think Coke should taste like,” said one editor. However, two editors found it sweeter and flatter, with one noting it tasted “like it’s been sitting in ice for a bit.”
The Plastic Bottle
Two editors noted a metallic flavor, despite the plastic bottle. Others mentioned it had more fizz and bite, with one describing it as “spiced” rather than sweet. One editor detected an “almost lemony” flavor.
The Glass Bottle
Editors most commonly mentioned its syrupy flavor. “It almost tastes like Coke Zero, with how strong it is,” one editor said. Another loved its sweetness and said it’d be perfect with rum.
And the Winner Is…
The can! Four editors preferred the can, while three leaned toward the glass bottle. Only one editor picked the plastic bottle.
Though it was a close race between the can and glass bottle, many editors were surprised they preferred the can. While Coca-Cola insists the formula remains the same across containers, perceived differences in carbonation and flavor were evident.
Even if science suggests that glass is the most inert material (least likely to interfere with taste), we might still reach for the glass bottle—paired with peanuts, of course.
