Even though Mentos is one of the most recognized brands in the world, many people are still surprised to learn that the brand Coca-Cola had a hand in creating. Mentos has worked closely with Coke for decades, and this relationship shows in their products: They’ve developed dozens of flavors that overlap but not all of which can be found at your local convenience store.
Today, every single flavor of Mentos has what’s called “COKE Reactivity” — a proprietary blend of ingredients that make it harder for Coke to form cravings once you’ve consumed its sweet carbonated cousins. It’s part science (menthol+coke), and part marketing strategy: If consumers perceive that a new product is corked when it comes into contact with Coke, they will be less likely to purchase it again.
How Mentos React With COKE – The Science behind it
The exact science behind COKE Reactivity is complex, but the basic idea is this: Menthol and caffeine are both natural components of peppermint oil, and they’re combined in different ways to create specific effects in the consumer’s stomach and brain. Coke’s formula is based on these differences in menthol and caffeine levels, and it employs those differences to create different levels of reactivity in the consumer.
Let’s take a look at each of the aspects that contribute to COKE Reactivity, starting with the sweet stuff. The amount of sugar present in colas varies from very low to very high, with the most common being a sweetener called dextrose. The reason for this is to prevent diabetics from overeating the drink, which can lead to higher levels of blood sugar.
The cola’s sweetness also depends on the level of caffeine in the beverage, which is why you can find canned colas with as little as 0.9% caffeine but as high as 11.6% — the former being far less caffeine than a small cup of coffee. And last but not least, the carbonation level is key: Low carbonation levels are typically found in soft drinks like Pepsi and juices, while high levels of COKE Reactivity are what you’ll find in colas.
What is COKE Reactivity?
COKE reactivity is the degree to which a certain flavor of Mentos interacts with carbonated beverages like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. There are six variations of COKE Reactivity, and each one has its own unique set of effects on the beverage itself, the destination store, and even the consumer. Depending on which version of COKE Reactivity you’re looking at, you might find a list of effects that include:
– No change. A classic example of a non-reactive flavor.
– Higher than average sweetness level. The sweet stuff is key to making a carbonated beverage taste good, and high levels of sweetness are typically found in colas.
– Decreased carbonation levels. As the beverage warms up, the level of COKE Reactivity diminishes, making it possible to mix it with other drinks without affecting how much you’re likely to buy in the future.
– Increased caffeine level. The sweetness of the beverage may cause it to increase in caffeine content, though this is less common.
– No change. A classic example of a reactive flavor.
– Higher than average sourness level. The sourness in the beverage affects the way that the consumer perceives the overall drink, and when it’s increased, consumers are less likely to purchase the drink again.
– No change. A classic example of a non-reactive flavor.
– Higher than average bitterness level. The bitterness in the beverage affects the drinker’s overall experience, and when it’s too high, it can even be off-putting.
– No change. A classic example of a non-reactive flavor.
– Higher than average flavor intensity. The flavor intensity is how strong or weak a particular flavor is, and when it’s too strong, it can mask other, more important aspects of the drink.
The difference between ordinary and COKE Reacts
As you might have noticed, when you buy an ordinary Coca-Cola at the store, it almost never has any COKE Reactivity. That’s because the formula for making Coke is entirely different from what goes into a diet Cola. The one exception to this is the special version of Diet Coke that includes caffeine, which is sold exclusively at certain stores. In reality, there are only a few ingredients that make up both Coke and Mentos: Sugar, Water, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, and a Bit of Botanical Extractives. If you look at the ingredients list for a Diet Coke and compare it to the list for a Diet Mentos, you’ll notice that there are almost no duplicates.
Conclusion
Mentos is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and its history is connected with Coca-Cola. The two beverage companies developed dozens of flavors that overlap but not all of which can be found at your local convenience store. Today, every single flavor of Mentos has what’s called “COKE Reactivity” — a proprietary blend of ingredients that make it harder for Coke to form cravings once you’ve consumed its sweet carbonated cousins. It’s part science (menthol+coke), and part marketing strategy: If consumers perceive that a new product is corked when it comes into contact with Coke, they will be less likely to purchase it again.