Mountain Dew, a citrus-flavored soda known for its high caffeine content and distinctive taste, has long been a popular choice for those seeking a refreshing and energizing beverage. In recent years, the brand has introduced several variations, including Diet Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, both of which aim to provide a similar taste experience without the added sugar and calories. This article delves into a comprehensive comparison of these two popular alternatives, examining their ingredients, taste profiles, and potential differences.
Introduction
With growing health consciousness, many consumers are seeking sugar-free alternatives to their favorite sodas. Diet Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar cater to this demand, offering the familiar Mountain Dew flavor without the caloric burden of the original. However, subtle differences exist between these two options, making it essential to understand their nuances.
Taste Comparison
Many who have tasted both Diet and Zero Sugar versions have trouble distinguishing between the two. In blind taste tests, some people can correctly identify the original Mountain Dew but may swap Diet and Zero in their guesses. The key differentiator often comes down to the aftertaste. Both Diet and Zero Sugar rely on aspartame as their primary sweetener, but Zero Sugar's ingredient list places it higher, potentially leading to a more pronounced aspartame aftertaste.
Sweeteners: Aspartame and Beyond
Both Diet Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar utilize a blend of artificial sweeteners to replicate the sweetness of the original without the calories. Aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose are the three artificial sweeteners found in both beverages, in the same order of predominance. This means that aspartame is the most prominent sweetener, followed by acesulfame potassium, and then sucralose.
The use of aspartame in both drinks raises an interesting question: why introduce a new product when a similar diet version already exists? One might expect the Zero Sugar version to utilize a different sweetener, offering an alternative for those sensitive to aspartame's aftertaste. However, this is not the case.
Read also: Zero-Calorie Cherry Soda Review
Other Ingredients
While the sweetener profiles are similar, other ingredients contribute to the beverages' overall flavor and mouthfeel. Mountain Dew Zero Sugar includes concentrated orange juice, while Diet Mountain Dew uses citric acid. This seemingly small difference could contribute to subtle variations in taste.
Thickening Agents
Regular Mountain Dew relies on sugar as a thickening agent, providing a certain mouthfeel. In diet versions, this sugar is absent, necessitating the use of alternative thickening agents. Both Diet Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar utilize gum arabic to achieve a similar texture. Citrus pectin, a natural choice for citrus beverages, could also be used.
Tartness and pH Buffers
Citric acid is added to both beverages to achieve the desired tartness characteristic of citrus drinks. Additionally, a citrate buffer is used to maintain the pH balance of the solutions.
Calorie Count
Diet Mountain Dew contains five calories per half-liter bottle, while Mountain Dew Zero Sugar boasts a calorie content of zero. The concentrated orange juice in Diet Mountain Dew is likely the source of these calories.
Caffeine Content
Mountain Dew Zero Sugar contains around 20% more caffeine than Diet Mountain Dew. However, the ordinal ranking of caffeine in the two ingredient lists is the same.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Zero Sugar
The Role of "Natural Flavors"
The elusive "natural flavors" listed on the ingredient labels can encompass a wide range of components, potentially contributing to subtle differences in taste between the two beverages.
Fountain vs. Bottled Diet Mountain Dew
It's worth noting that Diet Mountain Dew from a soda fountain may taste different from the bottled version. This is because fountain syrups often use different artificial sweeteners, such as saccharine, due to aspartame's limited shelf life. Aspartame can break down over time, especially when exposed to heat, affecting the sweetness and overall taste of the beverage.
Read also: Coke Zero or Diet Coke? A Detailed Look