You know why Santa Cruz County residents are lucky? Because of the proximity to the ocean? The temperate climate? The redwoods? Well, yes, of course, but they can also be happy because they live in a place where there’s an abundance of so-called Mexican coke. This is basically just Coca Cola that’s made with actual, real cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, but it’s acquired something of a cult following in the past few years.
In a lot of foodie circles, especially on the east coast, people go crazy for this stuff because it’s not as easy to find. During Passover season, the kosher Coke, (also made with real sugar) hits the shelves and I know of people going nuts over it. Stores sell out quickly. Some places in New York City are known to sell Mexican Coke for as much as $5 a bottle.
But here in Santa Cruz County, we don’t have that problem. We are flush with honest-to-goodness sugar-filled Coca cola. We are rich in the dark stuff, my friends.
Of course, there are a lot of debates whether it’s actually the sweetening agent used or the glass bottle that makes people claim to prefer Mexican Coke. (See the Serious Eats blind taste test here. ) That could make the folks of the Corn Refinery Association pleased, since they’re working hard to re-brand high-fructose corn syrup with a name change. But personally, I’d like to believe that there really is something about Mexican Coke that just makes it taste better.
