If soda flavors had personalities, orange soda’s would be bright, fun, happy and effervescent. Although there is probably no such thing as a bad tasting orange soda, not all varieties of this tasty beverage are the same. Presented here, by a professional food writer and chef, is an objective and unbiased consumer product comparison review of three major brands of orange soda. The three brands of orange soda reviewed for this article are; Fanta (R) Orange Soda, Sunkist (R) Orange Soda and Tropicana Twister (TM) Orange Soda. A two- liter bottle of each brand of soda was chosen for this consumer product comparison review and at least two 8 fluid ounce glasses of each brand of orange soda were consumed for this test.
Fanta (R) Orange Soda..
The first thing that sets Fanta Orange Soda apart from the other orange sodas reviewed here is the bright, vivid color of the soda. While the Tropicana Twister and Sunkist varieties are fairly similar in hue, the Fanta beverage is colored a strikingly vibrant shade of orange. Add to that a yellow- on- orange label with bold, navy- blue lettering, and the appearance of this brand of orange soda exudes bright, happy cheerfulness.
Upon tasting, the Fanta Orange Soda immediately imparts a well- balanced, not- too- sweet, yet just- right flavor that leaves no aftertaste. Nicely- carbonated, the taste of this orange soda leaves one wanting more, rather than being overwhelmed by sweetness or artificial flavor. Although the Fanta brand is probably the best overall soda of all three orange sodas reviewed here, amazingly, it is also the lowest in calories. A product of the Coca Cola Company, Fanta Orange Soda is caffeine- free and contains a very low level of sodium. Nutritionally, this soda contains 110 calories per 8 fluid ounce serving. Very highly recommended.
Sunkist (R) Orange Soda..
Sunkist Orange Soda is a product of Dr Pepper / Seven Up, Inc, which also distributes RC Cola, A & W Root Beer, Canada Dry, Hawaiian Punch, Clamato and Yoo- Hoo beverages. Perhaps the most well- known variety of the three brands of orange soda reviewed here, Sunkist Orange Soda is a very popular soft drink, particularly amongst young people. Also clad in an orange label with blue lettering, Sunkist Orange Soda is not quite so brightly- colored as the Fanta variety.
Upon opening the container of Sunkist Orange Soda, the first thing one notices is the distinct aroma of oranges, which is understandable, since Sunkist Orange Soda contains a fairly large amount of natural orange flavor. Although the taste of this soda is sweet and somewhat bold, it also imparts a slight, not- unpleasant aftertaste. As with all three brands of orange soda reviewed here, the Sunkist beverage tastes dramatically better when served with ice cubes. As stated previously, this brand of orange soda is very popular with children and young adults, perhaps due to the significant sweetness of this beverage. Nutritionally, this orange soda variety contains approximately 126 calories per 8 fluid ounce serving. Overall, Sunkist Orange Soda is a sweet, highly- carbonated beverage that suitably quenches thirst, yet may leave an aftertaste that some consumers may find to be overly- sweet.
Tropicana Twister (TM) Orange Soda..
Primarily known for many years, as being one of the leading producers of orange juice in the US, Tropicana has branched into the highly- profitable soda business, by offering consumers its line of Tropicana Twisters Sodas, which naturally includes an orange- flavored version. With an orange hue that falls between the vivid color of the Fanta variety and the somewhat- un- natural shade of the Sunkist soda, offset by an orange label with white lettering, the Tropicana Twister Orange Soda is attractively- packaged.
Upon first taste, a highly- agreeable orange flavor is immediately recognized. Most likely, the least sweet- tasting variety of the three brands of orange soda reviewed here, Tropicana Twister Orange Soda is a very satisfying beverage that leaves little or no aftertaste. Interestingly however, this brand of orange soda, which is a Pepsi product, is actually the highest in calories, coming in at 130 calories per 8 fluid ounce serving. Tropicana Twister Orange Soda is a close runner- up to Fanta Orange Soda, as being the most flavorful of the brands of orange soda reviewed here.
While all three brands of orange soda reviewed here are quite good in their own right, an objective and un- biased opinion reveals the Fanta brand of orange soda to be the best overall brand of orange soda reviewed here.
