Is Variety the Spice of Life?

If the variety is the spice of life then when it comes to soda choices, we are a very spicy nation – perhaps too spicy? With all of the new beverage choices coming and going, it’s hard to know what’s out there.

This article from USA Today illustrates this point. They point out the new soda trends that seem to be making their way into our supermarkets. Let’s take a look:

Better-for-you bubble beverages: I’ve mentioned these new sodas a few times on my blog but basically they are functional diet sodas. They are packed with vitamins and minerals such as B12, zinc, B3, B6 and vitamin E. People are more health-conscious now and they want to feel like they’re doing something good for their bodies when they take a sip. If this sounds like you, then check out Diet Coke Plus or Pepsi’s Tava. Both varieties sound pretty cool to me.

New no- and low-calorie beverages: Coke kicked off 2005 with a bang when it introduced Coke Zero, marketed at a younger generation and for men who are trying to cut calories but hate the word “diet.” This line has been very successfully and they recently came out with Cherry Coke Zero. Pepsi is preparing to introduce Pepsi Max, which will contain extra caffeine and ginseng. Ginseng has got some really great health benefits so I'm very interested in checking this new beverage out.

Tons of different flavors: There’s regular, lemon, lime, lemon-line, strawberry, vanilla, caramel – the list goes on forever. In my opinion, they’re taking these flavors a little far- caramel flavored soda? Ewww. But hey, variety is the spice of life, right?

Energy drink/soda combos: These sodas taste like regular sodas but they pack a supersized dose of caffeine. There’s Vault, berry-flavored Vault Red Blitz and Pepsi’s MDX. I actually haven’t tried either product but I suppose I will next time I’m in the mood for soda and an energy booster.

I am definitely a diet soda aficionado and try to stay abreast all the latest products and news regarding diet soda but even I’m confused with all the different products and flavors. The soda market has become very saturated and I’m interested to see how it will all pan out in the future.