Why do sodas from a fountain taste sooooo much better than sodas from a can or bottle?

(I know, I know…why is this a thread. :wink: )

I’ve noticed that sodas from a fountain taste so much better than from a can or bottle.

Recently, I’ve become a big Coke Zero fan…but really only when it comes from a fountain. It truly tastes a LOT better from a fountain.

Is there more carbonation or syrup when it’s from a fountain?

firstworldproblems

Oh such a great question!!

I think it is more carb. But I worked at a fast food many years ago, and carb is not always the same. So not sure!

Actually, I liked bottled soda the best…I don’t like soda drinks from a fountain…at all.

I actually think the opposite. Usually not a fan of fountain drinks, preferring cans or bottles.

^^ Are they too bubbly for you?

I think sodas from a fountain are usually terrible because it’s hard to get the syrup-to-soda water ratio exactly right.

I expect my sodas to taste a certain way. With fountain beverages, you never know what it’s going to taste like from restaurant to restaurant. Sometimes it’s fine…sometimes not.

Agree with others. Getting a fountain drink, there is no uniformity - it can be too bubbly or too flat. Then, there are questions regarding cleanliness.

Fountain fan here. Tap over bottle, whatever you’re pouring :slight_smile:

I like fountain the best too! I think it is more bubbly. Cans are good, plastic bottles are bad.

I’ve noticed different tastes from can to can sometimes. I think it depends on the municipal water it’s bottled with…

Fountain first. but I like glass bottles, then cans. But both have to be in a glass or i get heartburn.

I think it’s because pop from the fountain is soooo cold. At least that’s my theory for why I like it more.

I don’t like if the soda tastes like chlorinated water in some restaurants.

I much prefer cans (or bottles) over fountains.

I really like my Soda Stream for seltzer and flavored seltzer. So much better tasting than bottled.

I try to drink diet or any soda for that matter sparingly now, but when I do, IMO cans and bottles are better than most fountain drinks. I can see why you might feel that way about Zero, which I find too strong and sweet tasting compared to Diet. Maybe the fountain dilutes it a little while it stays bubbly.

I’m with you, mom2collegekids! I do agree that there can be a lot of inconsistency, but a couple of my favorite lunch places have fantastic fountain sodas. I have cut way back on my diet colas, but I can’t resist these places! We went to our favorite Korean restaurant today (from work) and there is nothing like that fizzy Diet Coke with my Bi Bim Bap.

I will only drink soda from a fountain. Unless maybe it’s a Mexican coke with real sugar in a glass bottle. But still prefer fountain. I do think they’re colder, sweeter and more bubbly

LOL, I love this thread, and I don’t particularly like soda, but prefer it from the fountain. To me the temperature and fizzyness is just right.

I agree that some fountains aren’t consistent, but I’m not afraid to ask them to adjust them if they’re “off” (too little fizz, etc). Often, the businesses have no idea that their CO2 tanks are empty or whatever.

My sister used to only get fountain drinks. On holidays she would stop at convenience store for a big drink before coming to parents. It drive mom crazy that sister wouldn’t just drink from a can. I bought sister a soda stream
a ew years back. She returned it because she realized the soda was wearing away a front tooth. I do prefer from the fountain but I don’t leave the house just for a drink.