If you're not religious or Jewish, you might still be aware that it is that time of year once again. The hum of the birds, the reports from baseball's Spring Training, and the availability of Coca-Cola that is Kosher for Passover.
If you aren't familiar with our tradition, K4P Coca-Cola is made with sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup. Corn products are not considered Kosher for Passover. I have some idea why that is but I wouldn't be able to explain it with any considerable authority. All I know is that it tastes good.
The bottles this year have yellow tops to make them distinct. In Chicago, they also feature a triangle with the letters CRC inside, standing for Chicago Rabbinical Council, which makes sure they pass Kosher muster.
There is some sadness again this year, though. For the second year in a row, K4P Coca-Cola is only available in 2-liter bottles. Until that point, people could buy K4P Coke in 6-pack cans. The portability of cans allow for more opportunities to share the wonder and goodness that is Coca-Cola the way it used to be.
The good news for Pepsi drinkers is that this product is also available in K4P variety, also in the 2-liter size only. though with the advent of Pepsi Throwback, the K4P version isn't as exciting (nor am I that much of a Pepsi fan).
What seems to be new also this year is that the labels match the reality. When K4P Coca-Cola first hit the shelves, the labels read sugar and/or high-fructose corn syrup. This year, the Coca-Cola labels read "sucrose." The Pepsi labels say, "sugar."
The K4P Coca-Cola used to be a bigger highlight, but now with the advent of cane sugar Dr. Pepper, a higher prominence of Mexican Coca-Cola, the Pepsi and Mountain Dew throwbacks, and smaller companies making soft drinks with cane sugar, some of the luster has been lost.
But in a taste comparison, Kosher for Passover Coca-Cola is still a really good product, even with the higher concentration of sugar-sweetened soft drinks. It would be nicer to appreciate the product if the sizes were much more convenient.
Passover starts March 30 this year, so you should hurry and stock up. Happy Passover.
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