Pepsi
2 comparisons available
About Pepsi
PepsiCo, Inc. is the world's second-largest beverage company and one of the largest food and beverage companies overall, founded in 1898 (as 'Pepsi-Cola') in New Bern, North Carolina. Headquartered in Purchase, New York, PepsiCo is publicly traded (NASDAQ: PEP) with a $230+ billion market cap and approximately $91 billion in annual revenue. Unlike Coca-Cola which focuses on beverages, PepsiCo is also one of the world's largest food companies through Frito-Lay (Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Ruffles), Quaker Oats, and Tropicana. Beverage brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lipton (partnership), Aquafina, 7UP (international), and SodaStream. Pepsi has a sweeter, more citrusy flavor than Coca-Cola due to its formula (1898) using more lemon and lime essence. Pepsi holds approximately 25-30% of the US carbonated soft drink market — second to Coca-Cola's 45%. PepsiCo's diversified food + beverage model has made it slightly more recession-resistant than Coca-Cola.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pepsi vs Coca-Cola: who wins blind taste tests?
Historically, Pepsi wins blind taste tests with first-sip preferences — Pepsi is sweeter and gives a stronger immediate impression. The famous 'Pepsi Challenge' marketing campaigns of the 1970s-1980s were built on this. However, when consumers drink full beverages (not just sips), Coca-Cola often performs better — its more complex, less sweet flavor pairs better with food and doesn't fatigue the palate. This 'less is more' phenomenon is one reason fast-food chains overwhelmingly serve Coca-Cola products.
Is Pepsi better than Coca-Cola for cooking/baking?
Different uses favor different colas: Coca-Cola is preferred for traditional recipes (Coca-Cola cake, ham glaze, beef brisket) — its caramel notes and cola complexity work well in slow-cooked dishes. Pepsi's sweeter and more citrusy profile works better in lighter recipes (pulled pork, marinades, cocktails). Both work as substitutes in most recipes, with subtle flavor differences. Mexican Coke (made with cane sugar instead of HFCS) is often preferred by chefs for cooking due to cleaner flavor.