Europe ruined soda

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of sodas in Europe that are not available here. Tarhun, Notsu, Buratiino ja Kelluke are great.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t know people actually ordered Pepsi by choice.

[Anonymous]

To answer some questions …. One family member doesn’t drink coffeee and was having trouble with jet lag so got a Pepsi at a museum cafe. They did not have Coke. But when I googled, it appears Coke does not have the same issue.

And I have such fond memories of drinking Fanta Limon in Europe — it’s honestly was my favorite soda and used to be quite popular in Europe, especially Spain. I drink wine but only 1-2 glasses a day and a lemon Fanta is perfect on a hot day. Really sad that it is now so gross. It also seems so pointless — I drink maybe a couple dozen sodas in a year. That’s not the sugar that’s going to kill me. I also always liked that the European sodas used real sugar and not HFCS. Anyway, I did want to warn people. Next time we go to Europe, I may just bring caffeine pills for my non coffee drinkers.

[Anonymous]

Sorry typo — meant to say Coke does have the same issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s Europe, drink wine. What’s wrong with you?

Very weird take. Lots of Europeans drink soda. Not as much as in the US and they don’t do the free refills and giant sides like here, but that’s true if other foods too — you don’t see Cheesecake Factory style restaurants there either.

But very normal to have a coke with lunch or dinner for many people. It’s considered a refreshing alternative to coffee and some people believe the carbonation aids digestion.

Also, most Europeans don’t regularly drink wine with their midday meal anymore. They have jobs, are parents. On vacation, sure, but not daily. Wine and soda are appropriate for different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To answer some questions …. One family member doesn’t drink coffeee and was having trouble with jet lag so got a Pepsi at a museum cafe. They did not have Coke. But when I googled, it appears Coke does not have the same issue.

And I have such fond memories of drinking Fanta Limon in Europe — it’s honestly was my favorite soda and used to be quite popular in Europe, especially Spain. I drink wine but only 1-2 glasses a day and a lemon Fanta is perfect on a hot day. Really sad that it is now so gross. It also seems so pointless — I drink maybe a couple dozen sodas in a year. That’s not the sugar that’s going to kill me. I also always liked that the European sodas used real sugar and not HFCS. Anyway, I did want to warn people. Next time we go to Europe, I may just bring caffeine pills for my non coffee drinkers.

DP- I can relate, OP. I did not and still don’t drink soda at any other time, but might as well have called it daily iV infusion of Fanta Limon my semester in Spain.

[Anonymous]

I understand. I never drink soda normally, but a regular coke really is amazing for jet lag and travel nausea.

I’d rather just puke than drink a Pepsi though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you ordering soda in Europe? There are so many other delicious things you could be drinking. What a weirdo.

There's no shortage of soda anywhere in Europe. So obviously plenty of Europeans do drink them. They must be weirdos.

Not everyone has the inclination for beer or wine or apertifs and sometimes you want something that isn't water, even sparkling water.

There are sodas everywhere because there are American tourists everywhere. Not because Euros drink soda.

American tourists are in every corner of Europe? Really? So they’re in Liverpool and Chemnitz and Katowice and Larissa and Ruse? Wow. Guess Americans really get out these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:French person here. I never drink soda in France. I drink Perrier-menthe, or similar, if I'm not drinking water or coffee, although I do have lovely memories of Orangina, mainly due to the old ditty associated with it, and the fun round glass bottle.

Here in the US when I drink soda it's Coke, regular. Pepsi is gross everywhere, and diet anything is never good.

This was your first mistake, OP. Pepsi is gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand. I never drink soda normally, but a regular coke really is amazing for jet lag and travel nausea.

I’d rather just puke than drink a Pepsi though.

Absolutely agree. Pepsi is vile.

I traveled quite a bit to several countries in the Middle East for work and Pepsi dominates there. I would buy a few bottles of Coke at Dulles for my carryon to have to settle my stomach when I arrived. I required my migraine med, a few saltines and the all important Coke to feel normal.

[Anonymous]

I’m so glad to know that in a world of conflict and strife, the colas wars have clearly been decided. In this climate of disagreement, it’s nice to know we can agree that Pepsi is terrible.

[Anonymous]

Another way to look at this is that they did you a favor. Now it’s easier to resist soda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you ordering soda in Europe? There are so many other delicious things you could be drinking. What a weirdo.

There's no shortage of soda anywhere in Europe. So obviously plenty of Europeans do drink them. They must be weirdos.

Not everyone has the inclination for beer or wine or apertifs and sometimes you want something that isn't water, even sparkling water.

There are sodas everywhere because there are American tourists everywhere. Not because Euros drink soda.

I mean, Europeans obviously drink soda. They likely drink less soda than Americans, but they do not stock soda solely for American tourists. This is preposterous. The Europeans do a lot of things better than Americans, but they are not all health nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so glad to know that in a world of conflict and strife, the colas wars have clearly been decided. In this climate of disagreement, it’s nice to know we can agree that Pepsi is terrible.

The funny thing is that when my husband insisted it tasted gross, my first response was “well, it’s Pepsi.” But then I tried it and it did taste like diet so I checked the label. I had been insisting it was not diet because the label didn’t say diet! I thought the EU was big on label transparency. I am sad to see that PP said it’s also true of packaged snacks — Europe has some awesome cookies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of sodas in Europe that are not available here. Tarhun, Notsu, Buratiino ja Kelluke are great.

Tarhun is absolutely delicious.