Scientist explains why McDonald's coke actually 'tastes better than anywhere else'

Look, a Big Mac is great and so is a classic Chicken McNugget meal. Even just a simple McFlurry on the way home hits the spot.

But for many, there’s one specific thing McDonald’s seems to do better than anywhere else, and it’s not even a burger, or any kind of food item.

Now, try not to dribble as you read this, but I’m obviously talking about a nice and cold cup of Coke. Or, if you’re like me, a crispy Diet Coke sipped through that paper straw before it disintegrates.

Yet, while this opinion that Maccies’ Coke is unlike any other is so widely agreed, it’s hard to know if it’s actually true or something we’ve just convinced ourselves.

But thanks to a food scientist, next time you’re trying to lecture your friends on the superiority of the draft drink, there’s an explanation to back yourself up with.

Food scientist, Abby Thiel, recently explained to Parade just why people can’t get enough of that soda fountain Coke at the fast-food chain.

I can practically taste that ice cold crispy Diet Coke. (Andrew Michael/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“Soft drink producers will usually have their own water supplier or a filtration system to increase the quality of water,” she said.

Of course, McDonald’s stocks Coca Cola drinks in its restaurants – with the likes of Fanta and Sprite joining the Coke line-up.

“Most often, chlorine is removed as it can result in a ‘disinfectant’ taste, the water hardness will be adjusted since it affects the acidity of the drink, and iron will be removed to limit color and flavor defects,” Thiel continued.

“Without this treatment, the end result is a Coke that has off-flavors and aromas due to low-quality, inconsistent water.”

McDonald’s previously answered on its site why ‘Coca-Cola tastes so good’ at its restaurants.

Best part of the meal? (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The chain says there’s ‘many reasons’, but primarily because it follows the guidelines set by the drinks company and ‘take steps to ensure that it serves a high-quality fountain beverage’.

“The water and Coca-Cola® syrup are pre-chilled before entering our fountain dispensers with the ratio of syrup set to allow for ice to melt,” McDonald’s explains.

“We also keep our fountain beverage system cold so your drink is always refreshing. In order to ensure our drinks are always meeting a gold standard, we filter all the water before it enters fountain dispensers.”

Well, there you have it, there really is a reason why you’re dying on the hill that Maccies’ Coke is better than the rest.

Topics: Science, McDonalds, Food And Drink

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_