Everyone Remembers Their First

Hold onto your hats... what you are about to experience may be underwhelming.

It's happening... as I type, I have an open can of Diet Coke with Splenda (provided by a thoughtful ally at work) in front of me. I've tried to create a normal diet soda comfort zone at my cube - the chilled can is nestled snuggly in my favorite UGA koozie, I am busy at work, thirsty, but not TOO thirsty. Yes... everything seems just right for diet soft drink consumption. Until I take my first sip.

I'm shocked. I am honestly taken aback at how different something can taste by changing the sweetening agent. Regular Diet Coke has a somewhat clean, refreshing finish to it that is light and crisp. I think the Splenda version has a more heady, thick taste profile. It's hard to describe... it's not quite bitter, but a concentrated sweetness perhaps - one that hits at the back of my mouth. It's not a light sweetness like the aspartame version.

I will say the new version tastes similar to regular Coke. But I don't like the taste of regular Coke - I feel it's a little on the sickeningly sweet side. I like the light taste of aspartame-sweetened Diet Coke. It's refreshing.

So kudos to Coca-Cola for being inventive and responding to what consumers said they wanted. I don't think it's a bad product perse. However, this consumer just wants something different - her tried and true Diet Coke comfort zone. I'll do my best to keep the pulse of consumer response on this new product.

Here are a few thoughts I've picked up from across the triple W:
Diet-Blog
Media Line Forum
Cool Running Forum
Tinkerty Tonk
Fish Sticks and Green Jello
BevNet Forum
Ritilan.com
Pith in the Wind
Low Carb Freedom
Infinite Monkeys

Coke Giving Fresca a New Lease on Life

Coca-Cola North America announced yesterday that they would be adding some life back into their Fresca brand this fall. By September they expect to roll out Fresca with a brand new image, new packaging, and some additional flavors. The original flavor will remain unchanged (Sparkling Citrus), and they’ll add Sparkling Peach Citrus Fresca and Sparkling Black Cherry Citrus Fresca to the mix. Empty of calories, full of diet soft drink goodness.

Fresca is my first recollection of drinking a diet beverage growing up. My mom didn’t drink Diet Coke, but she did enjoy Fresca and kept it in the house. One of those random memories I’ve dusted off from the 80s. I always thought its taste so unique, so unexpected coming from a can of soda. Then again, I also recall no one being able to pinpoint what the heck Fresca actually tastes like. I’ve heard peach, grapefruit, starfruit, white grapes… the list goes on. So what is actually in it?

Apparently the line additions and revamped marketing focus on Fresca are part of a “100 Days of Diets” campaign from Coke. The introduction of their other diet beverages (Coke Zero, Coke with Splenda) this summer are also part of the mix. Mmmm… 100 days of diet soda…

Pepsi Edge Has Emptied for the Last Time

It’s official… Pepsi Edge is now a relic, a part of history, something that I will convey to my children with stories beginning with, “Back in my day!” Pepsi announced last Thursday that they would be sending their mid-calorie cola to soft drink heaven by the end of this year. That is of course unless destination is dictated by performance, in which case it may not make it past Purgatory.

According to a report in Adage.com (advertising trade pub that was in contact with a company spokesperson), Pepsi chose to remove the mid-calorie product as part of their plan to “strictly focus on the Diet Pepsi and Pepsi One products in the future, recognizing that consumers tend to prefer zero-calorie products.” My thoughts exactly… smart move.

I don’t blame them… it seems that people attracted to diet-conscious colas would go for the full monty – the diet (zero-calorie) version. It seems like Pepsi may be pulling out at a smart time. Nothing against Pepsi, they made the right move in trying a new product that seemed to hold a bright future... they needed to try and fill a niche. But now that they have discovered that niche actually coincides with the "diet drink" niche, they serve to make more money and be more successful by focusing on their diet products.

However, the Coke complimentary, C2, will remain on the market.

Does this hint toward a summer rife with new products and new cola wars? Not to mention new star wars. But that's a different subject for a different time.

Not Just for Insects Anymore

Today's discovery introduces a cola "micro-brew." That's right, not beer... cola. Diet Cricket Cola - a combination of green tea and cola. Not to be confused with the sad little guys I used to feed Leon, my pet lizard. It also comes in a regular version, but we all know what I really care about here. The schtick is a cola and diet cola with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients. I think it has been around since early 2003, but I'm having a hard time digging up its history. Although it is spreading throughout the U.S., it's not sold in major retailers and is absent from most convenient stores. I believe it's only sold in specialty shops around the country.

From what my limited search can uncover, it has gotten good reviews. I enjoy the taste of green tea, and of course everyone knows I love diet colas, so I am intrigued to say the least. And while I can't imagine the brewery tours for something like this could be more fun than those that involve beer, it is an interesting concept that a cola be micro-brewed.

Has anyone out there tried Diet Cricket Cola? I am not sure where I could find it in the Atlanta area, and am hesitant to order it online (shipping a few breakable glass bottles simply for a taste sounds a little too high-maintenance even for me). Does anyone know where I might be able to find it?

Where it All Began

The past few days kicked my butt. I feel emotionally and physically drained... which is probably why I found myself laid up in bed all day yesterday. I hate calling in sick, but sometimes my body's aversion to homeostasis makes such things necessary.

One last note about Scott from BC - His family and teammates have set up a memorial fund, and in lieu of flowers, the Laio family asks that donations be sent to:

"Scott Laio Memorial Fund of BC Men's Crew"
Boston College Rowing
Scott Laio Memorial Fund
140 Commonwealth Ave.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

But moving on to other things, the latest in diet soft drink news... RC Cola is 100 years old! The original drink was launched in 1905, by a pharmacist who wanted to supply his family's grocery store with drinks that he produced and bottled. I was not previously aware of this, but Royal Crown Cola was the first brand to offer a low calorie diet soft drink - Diet Rite. Yes - the little brand recently resurging in popularity is where it all began! Diet Rite was introduced in 1958. It was originally marketed on a limited basis as a special dietary soft drink, but after a trial run in select markets, Diet Rite Cola was introduced nationwide in 1962. The rest is history I suppose.

Happy Birthday RC!

Once a Rower, Always a Rower

What happens when a day of triumph turns sour? Not the sour of upsets and the empty necks of those leaving a race course without a winning medal. But the inexplicable fragility of life.

I just returned from a long weekend/short vacation to Philadelphia. In a weekend thought to be marked with the beauty of rowing, team camaraderie, cheering crowds, record times and citius-altius-fortius, another force decended upon Philly. Saturday afternoon on the Schuykill River, while anxiously awaiting the event finals, I and a couple thousand others witnessed tragedy.

After his boat crossed the finish line, clenching a national title in the men's lightweight 8+, Boston College's bowman's heart stopped beating. Rather than rowing to the award dock with 8 other teammates to receive a gold medal, he was carried there via motor boat and received CPR. Within 20 minutes, the national champion was pronounced DOA at the hospital.

I will never completely understand the feelings his family and teammates are now going through. But I do know, as do all other rowers who have spent time in competition, what Scott experienced in his final 2,000 meters of life. My thoughts and prayers to the Boston College Crew.

RIP Scott Laio.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Elaine takes on Philly!

I'm leaving in a few hours for the airport - flying to Philly for the Dad Vail Regatta this weekend. The race counts as the "national rowing championship" for club, DII and DIII programs. UGA is racing, so I have to go back and support my alma mater...show those uptight northern teams that southern kids know how to compete. I know this is so nerdy, but I am extremely excited. Though it is kind of sad, since this weekend will mark the one-year anniversary since I was last on the water.

And I just love flying. I love airports - little news shops where I always purchase a magazine, Diet Coke and pack of gum. I love planes - mini biscottis, mini soft drink cans, mini seats. Oh wait... scratch that last one. Anyone heard the Seinfeld standup routine, "I'm Telling You for the Last Time?" Side-splitting humor about airports, seriously (Re: the flight attendant safety routine - "In case you haven't been in a car since 1965... Oh you lift UP on the buckle! I thought you just ripped the fabric apart!").

Good times should be had by all.

Eradication Without Representation

A friend of mine recently returned from a trip to England. He had a great time, traveled to historical sites, visited multiple breweries, he even went by Buckingham Palace. However, his trip was not complete without (in true American sardonic fashion) standing in front of said palace and loudly chanting, "No taxation without representation!" No wonder Europe hates us.

Which brings me to my stream of consciousness thought for the day. Someone recently brought the point up with me that they drink diet drinks not because of the calories, but because without "diet" drinks, they would not be able to enjoy sweet drinks at ALL... something many of us take for granted. People with diabetes or those who are hyperglycemic have to control how much sugar and carbohydrate they take in... if they take in too much, it causes severe health problems. So without diet products available, these people would most likely not be able to enjoy something as simple as an afternoon sweet treat. There are many people on the Web who are so quick to judge... so quick to say, we don't need low-calorie sweeteners. But it's easy to say that when consuming normal levels of carbohydrates and sugar doesn't affect you. For some, consuming diet products is a choice between taking care of their bodies or allowing themselves to slip into a state of declining health.

So is it fair for people who have no blood sugar issues to cry for diet soda eradication? No eradication without representation! Here's to a new flag - a picture of an insulin bottle and a diet soft drink. Don't tread on me.

New Zealand's Got It Made

While I will admit the new Coke/Diet Coke with Lime commercial is remarkably catchy (who wouldn't love the punny masterpiece of "Put the Lime in the Coke you nut!"), I still am not sold on the flavor. Not that it's a bad product, I just don't particularly enjoy it.

But THIS is a flavor I wish we had in the states...

[below is an excerpt from www.just-drinks.com]

"Coca-Cola is to launch a new flavour in New Zealand later this month. The drinks company has announced that Coca-Cola Raspberry will hit retail outlets in the country on 30 May. A sugar free version – Diet Coke with Raspberry – will launch at the same time.

Speaking to local Web site Scoop, Alison Sykora, region corporate affairs manager for Coca-Cola Oceania in New Zealand, said that New Zealand had been picked as the test-market for Coke Raspberry because not only were New Zealanders proven early adopters of new experiences, but they had been asking for Coca-Cola Raspberry for quite some time.

Coca-Cola Raspberry and Diet Coke with Raspberry will only be available for a limited time. "

April Showers Bring May... Products

Happy beginning of May! Hopefully the next few weeks will see warmer weather, less pollen, more sunshine and the winning lottery numbers. What... have I asked too much?

I came across a post from Gump Rants today and picked up some interesting information. Apparently Diet Coke with Splenda has already hit the shelves! I was under the impression that it wouldn’t be introduced until the beginning of June. This guy lives in Atlanta as do I, so perhaps the product was released early here, as the ATL is home sweet home for Coke. Or maybe it’s already nationwide? I haven’t seen it on local shelves yet, so I’ll have to take a look myself. Has anyone out there tried it yet? I'm curious to hear people's reactions.

Mr. Brown of ranting fame had the following to share about the new product - "Tasty. Different. It tastes more like a regular Coke - or actually more like the C2 half-Coke product..."

Makes some sense as C2 is sweetened with sucralose (Splenda). But an interesting observation nonetheless. He also had this to share:

"The packaging for the Splenda Diet Coke is troublesome, however. It looks a lot like Diet Coke with Lemon... At a distance you can't tell the difference in Diet Coke with Lemon and Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda."

A good point... already confusing enough that by this summer Coke will have 3 diet cola products, plus one half-diet cola on the shelves. Regardless, I love the taste of regular Diet Coke, so I need to check out the new addition and see how it measures up with my tastebuds.