The Surprising Reason McDonald’s Coke Tastes Better. McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, are a match made in heaven, or so it seems. For decades, customers have sworn that the Coke served at the Golden Arches tastes better than anywhere else. But what’s behind this phenomenon?
Is it the nostalgia of childhood Happy Meals or the iconic contour bottles? As it turns out, the secret to McDonald’s irresistibly delicious Coke lies not in the recipe, but in the meticulous attention to detail and proprietary systems that ensure every sip meets the highest standards. From customized fountain equipment to precise temperature control, we’re about to uncover the surprising reasons why McDonald’s Coke is the ultimate thirst quencher.
McDonald’s places great emphasis on its Coca-Cola offerings.
Regarding fast food, McDonald’s rules the market with close to 14,000 stores in the US alone. More than 60 million people worldwide choose McDonald’s every day, generating $75 million in daily revenue. Yes, the dollar menu puts a lot of dollars into their pockets. However, people seem to keep going back for more dollars into their pockets. One of the most popular of them all is Coke. Why is that? Does McDonald’s have any special formula to make the fizzy drink? It all has to do with several steps McDonald’s takes to maintain the quality of the drink.
Not only does McDonald’s take better care of its Coca-Cola than most other restaurants, but the companies have a tight relationship, which gives them several advantages such as running long promotions and new products, according to the New York Times.
It all starts with the packaging or storing of the syrup.
Every fast-food restaurant that has partnered with Coca-Cola receives its product on a daily basis. Every day, packages of soda syrups are delivered in plastic bags to restaurants. For McDonald’s however, the soda syrups are delivered in stainless steel tanks. According to the New York Times, this helps preserve the ingredients and keeps the Coke tasting fresher.
Water filtration is the second stage that makes the Coke taste better than any other restaurant.
According to the McDonald’s website, once the syrups reach the restaurant, both the syrup and the water go through “proper filtration methods” and get pre-chilled before going into the soda fountain. Other restaurants depend on the Soda machine or dispenser itself to chill the lukewarm unfiltered water.
McDonald’s also takes steps to make sure that the liquid stays at a desired temperature.
The fast food giant also spends a lot of money on filters and insulated tubes that deliver the liquid from the fridge to the fountain. The insulated tubes maintain the temperature of the liquid, keeping it chilled and fresh. The insulated tubes not only run into the dining area but also to the soda fountain near the drive-thru window in order to maintain consistency.
The New York Times reports that authorities consistently pump water through this tube to maintain a temperature just above freezing. This step is crucial in order to maintain peak C02 levels, ensuring crisp, buddy soda out of the machine. Another interesting fact is that this technique causes the carbonation in the drink to last longer than those in other restaurants.
The straw used in the drink also plays a huge role.
If you are a McFan, you would have noticed that the straw served with the drinks is usually bigger than those at other restaurants. This is not a mistake and in fact, according to the McDonald’s website, this is “so all that Coke taste can hit all your taste buds.”
Summary
There you have it – the surprising reasons why McDonald’s Coke tastes better than the rest. From proprietary fountain equipment to precise temperature control, it’s clear that the Golden Arches spare no detail in delivering the ultimate Coke experience. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual sipper, the next time you take a sip of McDonald’s Coke, remember the science and care that goes into making every sip a delight.
