Holidaymakers have found over the years that familiar drinks like Fanta and Coke taste different when you are abroad, and anyone returning to foreign holidays after a few years of staycations may find that the taste has changed yet again. According to experts the difference is down to unique recipes used in countries around the world - with amounts of sugar and juice changed from country to country according to local tastes and regulations.
In the UK, Coca Cola changed the recipe of most of its soft drinks ahead of the sugar tax - which means they can be sold at a lower price as well as being less unhealthy, reports ChronicleLive. Recipes in some other countries have also been changed in recent years.
Since 2017, Fanta sold in the UK has had a sugar content of 4.6g per 100ml, and after recent changes Fanta Orange sold in Portugal and Spain now has a similar sugar content. But in other countries the sugar content is much higher.
Fanta Orange sold in Italy has a sugar content of 11.8g per 100ml, almost three times as much as its British equivalent. In Greece, Orange Fanta has 8g of sugar per 100ml, and 7.6g per 100 ml in Germany.
There are also other recipe differences. The current version sold in Italy is 12% orange juice. The UK version is 3.7% orange juice from concentrate, according to its recipe. Greek Orange Fanta is 20% juice from concentrate.
Coca Cola explains: "We produce Fanta Orange across Europe and the juice content may vary in different countries. Throughout Europe, Fanta Orange is sweetened with either sugar or a combination of sugar and sweeteners. We are constantly working to reduce the sugar content in our drinks. For this reason, you may notice that the content of sugar or sweeteners in the drink varies from country to country. In Germany, for example, we launched Fanta Orange with reduced sugar content without any sweeteners."
The Spanish 'Limon' version of Fanta also now has 4.4g of sugar per 100ml, similar to the UK equivalent. In some countries, including Italy and Germany, Lemon Fanta is now sold only as a sugar-free or no-added sugar drink.
With Coca Cola the recipe is mostly the same across the world, although some say the water used in bottling plants can make a difference.
Coca Cola states: "The basic ingredients and process used to make Coca‑Cola are the same in all countries, although people perceive taste in very different ways. It is possible for the same soft drink to vary slightly in taste due to other factors such as the temperature at which it is consumed, the foods with which it is consumed, or the conditions in which it is stored prior to consumption."
They add: "Whether you drink it from a can or a bottle, Coca‑Cola is always the same. It’s the same recipe, the same ingredients and the same manufacturing process every time.
It adds: "Your perception of taste can be influenced by lots of things, like how cold the Coca‑Cola is or whether you drink it straight from the can or pour it into a glass."
