ARE GENERIC BRAND SODAS AS GOOD AS NAME BRANDS

NAME BRAND SODAS VS. GENERIC - A variety of soda drinks by the major players, but is there a difference?
United States
November 5, 2006 5:10pm CST
What do you think? Can you really tell a difference between drinking a store brand cola vs. a coke or pepsi? What about other flavors of soda vs. the Coca-Cola brand or Pepsi-Cola brand?If you notice a difference, what is it?
21 people like this
60 responses
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
6 Nov 06
It depends. Some of them take like medicine and I have to spit them out. But some are okay - like Sam's Club soda, it tastes alright. Generally, though, I prefer Coke.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Dec 06
I drink mostly Safeway brand generic, and in my humble opinion, it is just as good. Funny, I guess some people have stronger taste buds. Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@Garion (698)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I dont like the taste of generics I find they leave a bad aftertaste.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
I agree that some of them do. I have found several that don't though. Safeway's brand, is really good...just like drinking the coke. Thanks for your response.
1 person likes this
@bhchy1 (6047)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I think the colas have a bit of a different taste..Coke has a trademark bitterness that I like.not sweet like Pepsi..but the others like orange, rootbeer etc..they are all the same.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
Interesting take. I agree that Pepsi is sweeter than Coke. Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
@themyl (1423)
• United States
6 Nov 06
I don’t drink soda that much so I can’t tell that much of a different in task between Store brand and Name brand. I can tell the difference in PRICE, though. There's One I can taste the difference and that is Pepsi. This one is Way too sweet.
• United States
19 Nov 06
Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
@orionsmomma (1077)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I think it depends on your taste.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
I think so too. Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
@kylesmiles (1910)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I guess it depends on your taste buds. We are kind of picky though. :) We use to buy two different types of sodas, Sprite for me and Pepsi for my husband. But then he realized that he didn't want pepsi anymore so now we just buy Sprite! I don't drink much soda anymore though.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
I have cut back my soda intake too. But, I just can't seem to give it up completly. Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
@hero123 (629)
• India
6 Nov 06
yes it is good.store brand cola is nice and gives more relief than coke.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
@rosey3223 (1566)
• United States
6 Nov 06
HECK no!! I will drink them only if I don't have the money for the name brand ones, but as soon as I do get money you better believe that it will be going to Pepsi or Dr. Pepper!!!
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Nov 06
They taste the same to me, buty I don't really like soda too much
3 people like this
• United States
19 Nov 06
Thank you for the response.
2 people like this
@brnis97 (185)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I can always tell the difference I am only a coke drinker and i cant drink pepsi if the server brings me pepsi, I know it right away
• United States
20 Nov 06
I too can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi, but it has never bothered me. I like them both. Thanks for the reply.
• Australia
19 Nov 06
Got to agree with that!....
2 people like this
@Bunny2 (2102)
• Australia
7 Jan 07
Bunny2 - Bunny2
I htink the generic brands are OK butnothing beats a real Coke! If we buy real Coke the bottle goes at one sitting at dinner- if we buy generic that doesn't happen. I think a lot of the diet generics are OK too. Never as good as the real thing!!
2 people like this
• United States
15 Jan 07
I will agree that nothing will ever compare to real Coke. But with some of the generic brands I can't really distinquish a huge difference. There is some though and always will be for a lot of people. Thank you for sharing your view on the subject. I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@utsadetti (4589)
• United States
31 Dec 06
i don't think that they are as good as the brand. it is difficult to control, if tey are bigger buddy.
• United States
15 Jan 07
Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@tba123 (457)
• United States
30 Dec 06
I can tell the difference between store brand soda's and name brand sodas. To me the store brand isn't anywhere near as good as the name brand soda's. This is one of the places where I have to have name brand. The coke vs pepsi I like both, to me though coke is stronger than pepsi. But for some reason pepsi gives me heartburn more. Dr Pepper is our soda of choice most of the time.
• United States
15 Jan 07
I love it that everyone's tastes are different. I find it very interesting that some can tell a huge difference and others none at all. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I think some of the generic brands are great. but I can tell the difference between the brand name and the generic brand. I like pepsi.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Mar 07
Thanks for your input as well. I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
19 Nov 06
I ave never noticed a diffrence. Except in price.
2 people like this
• United States
20 Nov 06
I like the price of the generics much better, lol. I only notice a difference in taste on certain brands. Thanks for the reply.
@The_Eagle_1 (1121)
• Australia
19 Nov 06
They are probably not quite as good but for the price differance..hey..no complaints..haha
2 people like this
• United States
20 Nov 06
Me either. I drink the generics, and it is because of the lower price. Soda can get very expensive. Thanks for the reply.
@bam001 (940)
• United States
27 Dec 06
I can tell the difference. The name brands just taste better.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Dec 06
Thank you for the response. Many people feel that way. I guess I just don't have as sensitive a taste buds, or mine have adjusted, lol.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
27 Dec 06
when they tried to put in the new coke see how fast it went back to classic for the new coke tasted worse than pepsi
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Dec 06
Oh, the New Coke, was horrible. It tasted chalky to me. I couldn't stand it. I was so glad when they switched it back. Thanks again Lakota.
@design (849)
• Ireland
28 Dec 06
I know some of these big companies have deals going with shops where they label the goods in that stores own brand label so its cheaper for the consumer and these companies still get a cut. I believe Duracell batteries make Dunne's own brand batteries~(my house alarm guy told me this)
2 people like this
• United States
28 Dec 06
You are correct in that. I know it. Clorox makes the same bleach for many companies and just puts it into the generic bottles, instead of their brand name bottles...but it is the same formula bleach. I have been to their factory. So, I am certain, that beverage makers probably do the same also. Thanks for your response. I appreciate the insight. Have a wonderful New Year.
1 person likes this
@MrNiceGuy (4141)
• United States
28 Dec 06
No, i think the name brands taste better than the off brands. The off brands are way cheaper so sometimes they are still worth it. I think the name brand sodas are usually the way I go.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Jan 07
You are correct generic brands are more cost effective. I really don't notice a big difference in taste either, so for me they are the way to go. I will treat myself to a "regular" soda every now and then though. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.