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Pouring rights contract ignites anger, changes nothing |
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Monday, 31 August 2009 |
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by PATRICK BABCOCK
Lifestyles Editor
The Appalachian set up a taste test study Friday to see how well the Appalachian State University student body could differentiate between Pepsi and Coca-Cola products.
Thirty-five students participated in the study. Each was asked to identify the company of which he or she was a fan. Then the participants tasted small amounts of Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coca-Cola and Diet Pepsi Cola and identify which soda they were drinking by its taste.
Of the 35 people who took the taste test:
• Nine were able to correctly identify all of the sodas.
• Five confused Coke with Pepsi.
• 20 correctly identified Coke.
• 14 correctly identified Pepsi.
• 12 correctly identified Diet Coke.
• 13 correctly identified Diet Pepsi.
• 27 were fans of Coke.
• Eight were fans of Pepsi.
• One said his or her favorite cola was Diet Pepsi.
• 26 claimed the best-tasting of the test drinks was the same as
their pre-identified preference, even if they were completely wrong
(i.e., Coke fans said the drink they liked the best was Coke when in
fact they were drinking Pepsi).
Conclusions:
• Diet Pepsi is overwhelmingly despised.
• Coca-Cola is the most popular soft drink at Appalachian.
• The majority of students cannot tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi.
• The majority of students are against the university’s contract with Pepsi.
• It is, however, really all in the name. If the average student was
handed a Pepsi in a Coke bottle, he or she would not be able to tell.
“Pepsi doesn’t stand a chance. I can’t tell the diet from the regular.” – Daniel W. Duncan, freshman Spanish major
“As long as I have Cheerwine I’m happy.” – Andrew J. Potter, senior management major
“This is Pepsi? It sucks. [Regular and diet] both taste like Diet Pepsi.” – Maggie P. Brown, sophomore elementary education major
“The conclusion is clear – there’s no difference.” – Patrick J. Holder, sophomore history and secondary education major
“I’m a Pepsi fan. Coke seems like it’s missing a few ingredients. It’s definitely missing something.” – Briana R. McCoy, freshman medicine major
“Who likes Pepsi? I think Ray Charles is the only good thing to come out of a Pepsi commercial.” – Todd J. Ritter, junior marketing major
“I feel like people don’t drink soda on this campus – they seem to try to be healthier.” – Beatrice M. Schmider, senior art management major
“Why should the campus say [what sodas are available on campus]? I
mean, I don’t have a preference. Even if I say I like Pepsi, I can’t
tell the difference.” – Sarah E. Young, sophomore graphic design major
“I feel like the campus kinda sold out.” – Bryan C. Spencer, sophomore history major
“I grew up a big Pepsi fan, but I prefer Coke. Pepsi from a tap is too
sweet for me – it’s like liquid sugar. I mean, I know that’s what it
is, but Coke’s got an extra bite. Gotta be the fizz.” – David W. Cline, political science graduate student
“I’m very much against any type of exclusive corporate rights on a
college campus. There’s a huge conflict on interests there – especially
with soda considering the obesity epidemic. What does it say about the
folks who run the campus? Where are the students’ interests?” – David W. Cline, political science graduate student
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