Leena Watts
Many people have claimed that Diet Pepsi has an unusual taste, with some describing it as flat and others as having a chemical taste. Some have even speculated that the recipe has changed. However, it is worth noting that taste perception can be influenced by various factors such as stress, medication, and illnesses like COVID-19. Additionally, the sweetener used in diet sodas, aspartame, can decompose and affect the taste, especially if the drinks are exposed to high temperatures during storage.
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What You'll Learn
Diet Pepsi's recipe change
Pepsi fans have been discussing the change in taste of Diet Pepsi, with some speculating that the recipe has been altered. While the ingredients of Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero are similar, there are some differences. Diet Pepsi contains acesulfame potassium, a sweetener that is not present in Pepsi Zero. Conversely, Pepsi Zero contains calcium disodium EDTA, a food additive that is absent in Diet Pepsi. The order of ingredients also differs between the two, with aspartame being the third ingredient in Diet Pepsi and the fourth in Pepsi Zero.
Some consumers have noticed a change in the taste of Diet Pepsi, describing it as "weird", "flat", and lacking carbonation. One person even likened it to the taste of Pepsi Zero Raw, but with less fizz. Another person attributed the change in taste to the new labelling on the bottles. However, it is unclear whether the recipe has indeed been altered, or if other factors are at play.
It is worth noting that taste perception can be influenced by various factors such as stress, anxiety, and illnesses like COVID-19. Additionally, diet sodas are sweetened with aspartame, which has a half-life of about 300 days at a pH of 4. If the drinks are exposed to high temperatures, they may deteriorate faster, resulting in an "off" taste.
While PepsiCo has not released any official statements regarding a recipe change for Diet Pepsi, the speculation and feedback from consumers highlight the importance of maintaining consistency in the taste and quality of well-loved products.
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Diet Pepsi vs. Pepsi Zero taste test
Pepsi Zero and Diet Pepsi are two similar zero-calorie drinks that have slightly different ingredients and tastes. Both drinks contain carbonated water, caramel colour, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine and citric acid. However, the ingredients are not listed in the same order, and Diet Pepsi also contains the sweetener acesulfame potassium, while Pepsi Zero contains calcium disodium EDTA, a food additive that preserves flavour, colour and texture.
In a blind taste test, participants labelled two unmarked cups, one containing Pepsi Zero and the other containing Coke Zero. Cup A (Pepsi Zero) was described as having a harsh, tangy, artificial scent and taste, while Cup B (Coke Zero) had a gentle vanilla scent and a full-bodied, smooth taste.
In another taste test, Diet Pepsi was compared to Diet Coke, with tasters describing Diet Pepsi as having stronger bubbles and a rich, syrupy taste, and a slightly dry aftertaste. Pepsi Zero was described as the sweetest of the two, with a rich flavour and less fizz.
Some people have also noticed a difference in taste between bottled and canned Diet Pepsi, with some bottles being flat and lacking carbonation.
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Diet Pepsi's sweetener, aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in place of sugar in many foods and drinks to provide a low or no-calorie, low-sugar option. It is about 200 times sweeter by weight than sugar. Aspartame is used to sweeten Diet Pepsi, as well as other diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, dairy products, breakfast cereal, toothpaste, and medications.
Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M Schlatter, an employee of G.D. Searle, who later patented the product as Nutrisweet and Equal. Aspartame is composed of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, stuck together in a peptide linkage with one extra methyl group.
Aspartame has been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some studies suggesting a potential link between aspartame consumption and cancer. However, the majority of studies have found no evidence of a risk of cancer associated with aspartame consumption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Health Canada, and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) have all affirmed that aspartame is safe for consumption.
The acceptable daily intake of aspartame is 40-50 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, which is well above the amount found in a typical can of diet soda. For example, an adult weighing 70 kg would need to consume more than 9-14 cans of diet soda per day to exceed the recommended intake.
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Diet Pepsi's bottling issues
Diet Pepsi has been facing bottling issues, with consumers complaining about the taste and quality of the product. The issues seem to be related to the bottles themselves, with reports of soft bottles, loose caps, and a lack of carbonation resulting in flat drinks. These issues have been occurring for several months and have been reported in various states, including Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana. Consumers have also noticed a strange chemical taste and an unusual mango aftertaste.
The bottling issues are not limited to Diet Pepsi, as PepsiCo's independent beverage bottlers in the US have reported product out-of-stocks for various brands, including Gatorade, Frappuccino, Mtn Dew Zero, and Pepsi Zero Sugar. The problems have been attributed to the pandemic supply chain disruption, with some bottlers citing issues with PepsiCo's contract operations unit, such as shortages at mixing centres and incongruent information technology.
PepsiCo's bottlers have also noted that the issues were exacerbated by higher demand for packaged beverages during the pandemic, with demand remaining unexpectedly elevated. The company has reported significant volume and revenue growth, with core operating profit jumping by 83%. Despite the challenges, some remain optimistic that the issues will straighten out over the next few quarters.
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Diet Pepsi's taste affected by COVID-19 or anxiety
It is unclear whether the COVID-19 virus affects one's perception of the taste of Diet Pepsi specifically. However, it is well-documented that COVID-19 can cause a loss of taste (ageusia) and/or a loss of smell (anosmia) as an early symptom of infection. This occurs due to the virus's effect on the nervous system, specifically the olfactory sensory neurons, which are the nerve cells that detect scent chemicals and transmit that information to the brain. In most people, the sense of taste and smell return once the COVID-19 infection has resolved.
There are many other causes of a loss of taste or smell, including the common cold, the flu, allergies, nasal polyps, neurological conditions, and ageing.
Anxiety can also affect one's perception of taste. Research has shown that emotional states can alter taste perception, although the underlying mechanisms are not yet well understood. Anxiety can cause a host of aches and pains and make it more challenging to manage anxiety. Taste changes may occur due to mouth breathing, which is more common with anxiety and can affect salivary glands and bacteria, changing how the tongue and mouth feel. Anxiety can also make people more sensitive to the way they experience taste, amplifying negative tastes to the point of distress.
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Frequently asked questions
Many factors can affect the taste of Diet Pepsi. Aspartame, the leading non-nutritive sweetener used in diet soft drinks, decomposes at high temperatures, causing the drink to taste bitter. Diet Pepsi also contains acesulfame potassium, a sweetener not found in Pepsi Zero, which may contribute to a different taste. Other factors include manufacturing and bottling issues, exposure to high temperatures during storage, and changes in the recipe.
If your Diet Pepsi has gone bad, it may taste flat or have an unusual smell or aftertaste. The cans or bottles may also be soft, or the tops may not be tightly sealed, resulting in a loss of carbonation.
The ingredients in Diet Pepsi include carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, and citric acid.
Taste is subjective, but some people find Diet Pepsi to be sweeter and more crisp than Pepsi Zero, with less carbonation and a more pronounced throat burn. Others prefer Pepsi Zero for its rich flavor and lower sweetness level.
