Cami Bohrer| Special to Wooster Daily Record and Ashland Times-Gazette
What does space taste like?
Back in 2015, the food website Eater offered a scientifically lighthearted answer.
“… In 2009, astronomers were able toidentify achemical called ethyl formatein a big dust cloud at the center of the Milky Way. Ethyl formate happens to be responsible for the flavorof raspberries (it also smells like rum). Space tastes like raspberries! What a downright delightful thing for space to taste like.”
What else have we tasted?: Testing 1, 2, 3 panel ready to jump on the Cocoa Puffs popcorn train
Raspberries! Who would have thought?
Folks now have a chance to decide for themselves with Coca-Cola’s newest flavor, Starlight.
Touted as an indulgent flavor with a cooling sensation, this limited edition, other-worldly beverage first appeared in local markets a couple of months ago.
Taste-testers take Coca-Cola's Starlight voyage and enjoy the ride
Tasting panel Kristin Bagby of Orrville, Kelly Prim of West Salem and Wooster’s Dorine Widder took the Starlight voyage within the first weeks of its grand debut.
As soon as they saw the product’s label, spacey violets that fade into sunset pinks and reds, all three were intrigued.
“It looks like space and the colors are nice and appealing,” said Bagby.
With this graphic allusion to a starry night, they, along with myself, were anxious to taste and evaluate.
Another taste test: Testing 1, 2, 3: Black forest cake M&M's bring new spin to classic treat
Rocketing beyond expected soda browns to a translucent red color, Starlight’s immediate though short-lived effervescence brings to mind a rocket’s fiery blast that soon settles into steady energy with the single goal of getting on with the mission.
Which is exactly what the ladies did.
Prior to tasting, Widder supposed that space would taste out of this world and very sparkly.She was not disappointed.
“Light and sparkling, good taste, color is wonderful.”She couldn’t say enough about Starlight’s impact.
Badby likened the flavor to cotton candy or s’mores, with a sweetness that caught her attention.
No hint of raspberry in the out-of-this-world cola
Prim, not a huge soda fan, was surprised by her rating of 5 out of 5 possible points.She liked the fruity aroma and flavor.
“I would buy it,” she said.
Not one tester detected even a hint of raspberry.So much for the ethyl formate theory.
Testers' samples came from Starlight’s mini can 10-pack, that costs just under $5.I went for the zero-calorie version, purchased in a 20-ounce bottle for $1.98.
When it was my turn to test, I had trouble settling on the perfect descriptor.As a backup, I asked my husband, Jerry, for his thoughts.
“It tastes like cream soda,” he said.
He was right on. Thanks for the help, hubby.
Now, I leave you with a bit of online soda trivia.
What do soda manufacturers go to college for?
Why, fizzyology, of course.
Until next time…
Reach Cami by email atcamboh49@gmail.com.
