New Walmart Sodas Hit Shelves With Cane Sugar Sweetness

(KMDL-FM) Retail giant Walmart is apparently jumping into the "cola wars" with the store's new soft drink entry into the already "full" soft drink and soda pop market. The new offering from Walmart could be especially beneficial to Louisiana, not only in taste but also economically. The new Walmart sodas will get their sweetness from cane sugar.

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Cane sugar, once the staple of the soda pop industry, has been replaced by high-fructose corn syrup in many brands of soda. The new line of Great Value sodas will move away from the industry standard and more toward the way things used to be.

Many of you might be familiar with what is commonly called a "Mexican Coke". The Coke products sold in Mexico feature cane sugar, and many people swear that not only can they taste the difference, but the difference in quality is tremendous, at least by their reviews.

The packaging of the new line of Great Value Sodas does seem to offer a nod toward their South of the Border inspiration. The new sodas will feature colorful packaging. One reviewer suggested the packaging reminded them of papel picado, the traditional Mexican paper banners.

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If you're wondering why companies such as Coke, Pepsi, and other soft drink manufacturers would switch from a proven, American-produced ingredient like cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup, the answer is as close as your wallet. The corn syrup is much cheaper thanks to U.S. Farm policy.

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The big switch to HFCS ( High Fructose Corn Syrup) happened between 1980 and 1984. Hmm, I could be mistaken, but wasn't that when the world met "New Coke" and then told "New Coke" no thanks?

How Expensive are the New Walmart Great Value Sodas with Cane Sugar?

I have not sampled the new Great Value Sodas, but those who have are impressed. You'll also be impressed with the price differential. AllRecipes.com is reporting that the new Great Value sodas will be priced at $1.74 for a two-liter bottle. The site suggests that premium brands such as Coke or Pepsi might cost as much as $4.00 for the same serving size.

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Is the Iconic Dr. Thunder Going to Feature Cane Sugar as a Sweetener?

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No, you can't get Dr. Thunder or Dr. Check or whatever Doctor drink Great Value offers made with cane sugar right now. The four varieties being offered under this new soda initiative by Walmart are Apple, Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Cola.

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The Cola flavor would compare with Pepsi and Coke. The Lemon Lime flavor would be a close competitor for Sprite. The Grapefruit flavor would be an homage to Fresca, and the Apple flavor, I guess that's more of a nod to the Mexican apple drinks Sidral Mundet or Manzanita Sol.

You can see the new soda's packaging here.   

I am excited to give these soda pops a try. I am even more excited to not pay more for a two-liter bottle of soda than I am currently paying for a gallon of gas. Maybe they can find a way to put Mexican sugar in our gasoline. No, wait, that's only the kind of stuff jilted boyfriends do. Never mind, enjoy your soda.