Mexican Heritage Foodies Question Impact of Trump’s Cane Sugar Initiative for Coca-Cola

Following President Trump's announcement of Coca-Cola's shift to cane sugar production in the U.S., Mexican heritage foodies express skepticism about the authenticity of the beverage compared to its Mexican counterpart.

Count Ivan Vasquez shares concerns about Coca-Cola's recent announcement regarding a switch to cane sugar for sodas in the United States. The owner of four Oaxacan-style restaurants in Southern California, Mr. Vasquez feels that the unique taste of "Mexican Coke" may not be achievable in the U.S. market. He remarked on the announcement made by President Trump, who indicated that the beverage giant would begin using “REAL cane sugar” instead of corn syrup, a change yet to be verified by the Coca-Cola Company.

Traditionally, Coca-Cola has used corn syrup in the majority of its U.S. products since the 1980s due to lower costs, while cane sugar remains the sweetener of choice in many other countries, including Mexico. The import of Mexican Coke to Texas began in 2005, leading to its expanded availability across the U.S. In regions with significant Hispanic communities, Mexican Coke has developed a strong following and fans often insist it tastes better than the American version.

This growing preference has led consumers to spend up to $3.50 for a 355 milliliter glass bottle of Mexican Coke, as seen in places like Tahona Mercado in San Francisco. This price significantly exceeds the cost of American Coke available on popular grocery platforms, highlighting the perceived value of the authentic Mexican flavor. A recent thread on Reddit titled “Mexican Coke just tastes better” reflects the sentiment shared by many fans who fear that the new formula might not do justice to the original taste they love.