It was so they could change from sugar to HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)
So they came out with new Coke which was only ever meant to be temporary... And out long enough that most wouldn't remember the taste of Coke with sugar
It took New Coke to be so different that most folks wouldn't notice the difference when they went to Classic
I always noticed the difference and I was able to show folks at the time when I got some Coca Cola from Mexico and let them taste the difference. Mexican Coke is made with cane sugar and its not really close to American Coke with HFCS
That intrigued me so I ran is through ChatGPT, and here's what it threw back. I don't know the truth but what you said sounds far-fetched at best:
The statement from the chat room touches upon one of the conspiracy theories surrounding the New Coke debacle, but it's not substantiated by concrete evidence. Let's break it down:
- Temporary Introduction of New Coke: There's no verified evidence to suggest that The Coca-Cola Company introduced New Coke with the intention of it being temporary. The company invested heavily in its research, development, and marketing, which suggests they believed in the product change.
- Switching to HFCS: It's true that around the time of the New Coke introduction, many soft drink manufacturers in the U.S. were transitioning from cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener, mainly due to cost reasons. HFCS was less expensive than sugar, and its use could improve profit margins. However, to say that New Coke was a diversion specifically to mask this switch is speculative. While the timing is coincidental, there isn't concrete evidence to prove this was a deliberate strategy by the company.
- Taste of Coke with Sugar vs. HFCS: Many people do claim to taste a difference between Coca-Cola sweetened with cane sugar and Coca-Cola sweetened with HFCS. The presence of "Mexican Coke" in the U.S., which is sweetened with cane sugar, has been celebrated by some who prefer its taste over the standard American version with HFCS. However, taste is subjective, and not everyone might notice or care about the difference.
In conclusion, while the theory mentioned in the chat room is a popular one, it remains a theory. The official reasons given by The Coca-Cola Company for the introduction of New Coke were based on market research indicating a preference for a sweeter taste, as well as competitive pressures from rival Pepsi. The backlash to New Coke and the subsequent reintroduction of Coca-Cola Classic became one of the most notable stories in the history of brand marketing.
