Taste has been the subject of the branding battle between Cola companies for generations. It is interesting that most consumers cannot specifically point out the difference between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. They decide based on the branding and advertising, which can be misleading in some cases.

The difference between Coca-Cola and Pepsi is down to one thing – a significant difference in flavor. The difference is majorly an outcome of variation in the acid content of the two colas. To some, the difference in taste is negligible, as proven during the Pepsi Challenge in the previous years.

Therefore, how is one expected to tell the difference between Pepsi products if they cannot do so between Pepsi and its key competitor?

Pepsi strived to create a base of ardent customers who may be familiar with most of the tastes and flavors of its products. Pepsi drinkers may know a number of flavors rolled out by the company over the years such as:

• Pepsi Wild Cherry,
• Pepsi Vanilla,
• Pepsi free,
• Pepsi Natural,
• Pepsi Fire,
• Diet Pepsi, or
• the discontinued 90s favorite soda, Crystal Pepsi that returned in 2015.

By virtue of its global status, Pepsi tastes are vary based on geographical, social, and cultural factors. According to the tastes of a European, the Japanese flavors are the weirdest. Nevertheless, the US, Canada, Europe, and South America have produced their own weird Pepsi tastes over the years.

Some of the tastes are still available overseas or on eBay for those who cannot get enough of Pepsis-Cola.

There are over 100 Pepsi tastes categorized under sodas, diet variants, and Fictional drinks. Sodas are specific to the US, Europe, Japan, Latin America, and other markets.

For instance, in the US Pepsi is the PepsiCo’s signature cola flavor. There is also Pepsi free, a caffeine-free major cola brand introduced in 1982 and is sold as Caffeine-Free Pepsi and Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi.

The products fall into the major categories of cola brands, citrus soda brands, and non-carbonated beverages. A comprehensive list of products in each brand category can be found here.

Some of the flavors cut across regional and global markets and are famous among Pepsi drinkers in most countries. Others are specific to a given region or country.

Pepsi Gold – white sapote flavor is sold in Japan, Germany, Finland, and Central Europe. Pepsi Fire (hot cinnamon) and Ice (cool mint) Pepsi are found in Guam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Pepsi Holiday – cinnamon is in the US and Canada, and Crystal Pepsi in the US, Canada, Australia and some parts of Europe.

On the other hand, tastes in specific countries and markets include:

• Pepsi Jazz in the US,
• Pepsi Samba – mango and tamarind in Australia,
• Pepsi Baobab, Pepsi Shiso, Pepsi White, and Azuki Sweet Bean Pepsi in Japan,
• Pepsi Twist Mojito in Italy,
• Pepsi Cappuccino in Russia and Romania, and
• Pepsi Ice Cream in Russia.

A comprehensive list and description of Pepsi tastes and flavors, both in the market and discontinued, in different parts of the world, is accessible here.

PepsiCo has a detailed ingredient glossary describing most of those used to give taste to the company’s diverse array of Pepsi sodas.

Pepsi has mastered the art of adding a confusing colored or flavored beverage to different markets on an annual basis. Pepsi aficionados know that the company is daring in its ventures into the world of bizarre flavors and tastes.

Inspirations for Pepsi product offerings in different markets are diverse and unpredictable.

The “What is Inside” button on the PepsiCo site shows that Pepsi sodas’ main contents are caffeine, colors, electrolytes, sweeteners, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and juice. In addition to other ingredients, they play a crucial role in giving different products offerings specific tastes.

What the exact number of Pepsi tastes in existence is uncertain. But, Pepsi lovers have no shortage in their choice of flavors. PepsiCo aligns the tastes of its products to reflect aspects of particular regions that resonate with its consumers.

For instance, the Pepsi Jazz in the US portrays aspects of pop culture the company sought to align its sodas with over the decades.