The legendary question asked by many for years: Coke or Pepsi? Most ask the question as a joke or just a simple conversation starter. The brands have been fighting each other for more than a century, starting back in the 1900’s when Pepsi-Cola first hit the markets. The Pepsi Challenge in 1975 really heated things up, then earlier this year, Pepsi went after Coke’s famed mascots, the polar bears and Santa.

Coke got started by John Pemberton in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia. Pemberton made it as a medicine to relieve exhaustion; it then evolved into a beverage within the next couple years. Since the birth of Coke, the taste has been tinkered with by adding more fizz and changing the look to appeal to the modern day buyers. The well- known color red standing for Coke was formed by performing many color+taste tests. By giving the tester a few drops of Coca-Cola while showing him or her a specific color, they concluded that the certain shade of red triggered the best sensations in the brain related to emotions, happiness, and celebration. Therefore, the color red was set as a  trademark for Coca-Cola.

Pepsi-Cola followed in 1898, invented by Caleb Brabham. Starting off under the name “Brad’s Drink.” In 1893, “Brad’s Drink” was made from a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other natural additives, becoming an overnight sensation. By 1906, Pepsi-Cola had gone through 3 logo changes, added 15 bottling plants, and dodged the Pure Food and Drug Act by not having any arsenic, lead, barium, and uranium in their formula, unlike Coke.

Back to the question that has floated all around the world for decades: Pepsi or Coke? Delphi’s own Lauren Hawn, Yaquelin Moreno, Zach Haines and Kain Myer prefer Pepsi. Aaron Webb and Jadon Kinzie would rather have a Coke. What do you prefer? 

Although the history of both products is interesting to read about and millions of Americans drink one or the other, I  personally have concluded to stick with my favorite—sweet tea.