Do you have a strong opinion that Coke tastes the best from McDonald’s? If so, you’re not alone — many people claim to taste the difference and have argued that Coke from McDonald’s simply just tastes better. But does it actually?
The two corporate giants have a unique relationship detailed in The New York Times that dates back to the 1950s. As McDonald’s began to expand around the globe, they turned to Coca-Cola as a beverage dealer and used the drink’s offices as a base of operations. As the relationship grew, the companies developed a unique system of beverage delivery for McDonald’s locations — stainless steel containers that keep the flavor fresh.
“At other restaurants, Coke syrup is delivered in plastic bags,” the Times reported. “But for McDonald’s, Coke delivers its syrup in stainless steel tanks that ensure its freshness, creating what many believe is the best Coca-Cola available.”
McDonald’s confirms this method on its website: “The water and Coca-Cola syrup are pre-chilled before entering our fountain dispensers with the ratio of syrup set to allow for ice to melt. We also keep our fountain beverage system cold so your drink can always be at the peak of refreshing….we simply follow the guidelines set by Coca-Cola and take steps to ensure it tastes the same as when you buy it in a bottle.”
McDonald’s also says on its website that the company uses wider-than-average straws “so all that Coke taste can hit your tastebuds.”
So this must be why consumers think it’s the best Coke around!