Pepsi has now released for a limited time, Pepsi-Cola Throwback. It is a version of Pepsi made with natural sugar, like it originally was, rather than High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS.) Critics have long claimed that HFCS has detrimental effects including suppressing the sensation of fullness and also metabolizing in harmful ways in the body, which may lead to diabetes and fatty livers. Whether this is all true or not, I do not know. But, it is good to finally have an alternative.
With all that aside, how does it taste? Well, first off I have to state I prefer Pepsi over Coke. So, I am well acquainted with the product and how it tastes. I like Pepsi's crisp bite which is sweeter than Coke. My first sip of Pepsi-Cola Throwback was a bit odd to me. I had the weird throat feeling you get when you drink a sugar-free, diet soda. But, this quickly goes away as you continue to drink the beverage. But, I did notice the same sensation whenever I take the first sip of the stuff from a can, during subsequent meals. Another thing I noticed is that it does taste different. To my dismay, I actually find it tasting less sweet and more like Coke. It's carbonation to me is also less crisp and more of a syrupy bubble, and seems to not last as long as regular Pepsi. Something I also noticed, which is hard to describe, is that it "feels" less cold than regular Pepsi, even after being in the fridge for over 24 hours.
Now, what about that "sensation of fullness" thing I had read about? Well, normally during a meal I can easily down two cans of Pepsi and feel refreshed. Now, during a meal, after about half a can of Pepsi-Cola Throwback, my stomach starts to feel a bit heavy and bubbly. It's hard to describe.
So, what does this all mean? Pepsi-Cola Throwback, does indeed taste and feel different to me. But, in a marginally inferior way. I would say I prefer the regular, current Pepsi. But, I figure I prefer a product that has less detrimental health effects in the long run. So, for now, I'll grudgingly choose Pepsi-Cola Throwback over regular Pepsi. But, of course, the smart thing to do would be to quit sodas all-together :(.
