In the realm of diet soft drinks, the Coca-Cola Company paved the way in the early 1960s with Tab, a product that remained a market mainstay for decades. While Diet Coke eventually overshadowed Tab, Coca-Cola discontinued its first diet drink in 2020. Today, the debate continues on whether diet soft drinks are beneficial for those trying to lose weight. Some research suggests that diet soda drinkers are more likely to gain weight.
Diet Coke, launched in 1982, became a game-changing success, maintaining a solid position in the cola hierarchy for four decades. This success has naturally led other companies to emulate it. Aldi, the German-based retailer known for its "cover versions" of popular food and beverage items, introduced its own diet cola under the Summit brand.
This article provides a comprehensive review of Aldi's Summit Diet Cola, comparing it to Diet Coke in terms of cost, nutritional value, and taste.
Summit Diet Cola: An Aldi Regular Buy
Summit Diet Cola is an Aldi Regular Buy, ensuring its constant availability in stores. It is available in 7.5-ounce and 12-ounce cans. The 7.5-ounce cans are priced at $2.69 for a 6-pack (approximately 6 cents per ounce), while the 12-ounce cans are $3.49 for a 12-pack (about 2.5 cents per ounce). The larger pack is more expensive overall but offers a lower per-ounce cost. The trend towards smaller cans has boosted sales for soft drink companies.
Nutritional Information and Ingredients
Summit Diet Cola boasts zero calories, 20mg of sodium, and zero carbs. Aspartame, a common sugar substitute, is used instead of sugar. The other ingredients include carbonated water, caramel color, natural flavor, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, citric acid, and caffeine, similar to Diet Coke. Diet Coke contains a slightly higher sodium content of 40mg per can (2% of the recommended daily value).
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Taste Test: Summit Diet Cola vs. Diet Coke
In a blind taste test, the reviewer detected odd, almost wintery flavor notes in Summit Diet Cola, reminiscent of cinnamon and clove. It lacked the tangy hit of standard cola, although the carbonation was adequate. The aspartame aftertaste was also noticeable. The reviewer, a Diet Coke fan, immediately identified the difference.
Another reviewer found Summit Diet Cola to have an immediate sweet cloud that covered the palate and filled the mouth. There was a nice carbonation about it that tingled the tongue and gave the soda an overall round, full profile. Oddly, there was an overly obvious citrus taste to it that reminded me of the lemon and lime flavor of Sprite, but with a touch of vanilla. It wasn't bad, just odd. The sweetness tasted artificial and exceedingly apparent, like a small child vying for the spotlight. It carried the flavor in and stayed long after any citrus, spice, or carbonation was gone. And while it didn't go over the top or become offensive, it was still somehow larger than it needed to be. This diet cola wasn't bad, but it was very obviously an off-brand, a generic interpretation of something familiar.
Diet Coke offered a layer of flavors and carbonation to cascade across the taste buds, dancing with tiny, prickling bubbles. There seemed to be a blanket of caramel that was soft, lush, and slightly sweet. Underneath the caramel was a hint of citrus that seemed to complement the spicy aesthetic without drawing too much attention to itself. The sweetness of it all seemed to be but a welcome guest of equal measure on the journey of flavors. The flavors of Diet Coke appeared to be deliberately refined, balanced on rich fizz that teased the taste buds into new heights of enjoyment. And when it left my mouth, the flavors and slight burn of carbonation lingered only for a moment before taking their final leave.
Cost Comparison
Summit Diet Cola is significantly cheaper than Diet Coke. At the time of one test, Summit Diet Cola was available at one Aldi for $4.69 for a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans. The price of Diet Coke varies depending on sales and retailers. At one Kroger, a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans costing $10.99, that worked out to $4.39 per pack due to BOGO promotion. At Walmart, 24-packs of Diet Coke cans for $13.78, making a 12-pack $6.89. Costco had 35-packs of cans for $19.85, which would leave you paying around $6.60 per 12-pack.
The Verdict: Is Summit Diet Cola a Viable Alternative?
Summit Diet Cola offers a budget-friendly alternative to Diet Coke. However, the taste difference is noticeable. Longtime Diet Coke fans may prefer to pay extra for the original. Casual diet cola drinkers might find Summit Diet Cola a decent substitute, especially given its price point.
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One reviewer concluded that Summit Diet Cola had flavors that were audacious compared to Diet Coke and that they went too far, became too artificial, and were too sweet.
Some people are impressed with Aldi’s Summit Diet Cola, claiming it tastes better than a can of Diet Coke and that it is an unmistakable, almost proprietary balance of flavor and carbonation that you usually can’t get anywhere else like a McDonald’s Diet Coke.
The Health Debate: Diet Soda and Its Implications
It's important to note that "diet" soda isn't necessarily healthy. Studies suggest that regular consumption of diet sodas may lead to health issues like stroke, heart failure, and type 2 diabetes. Aspartame, the artificial sweetener in these drinks, has been linked to metabolic disruption and bodily chaos.
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