Soda prices

Coca-Cola: $5.99/12-pack

RC Cola: $7.49/12-pack

Big K Cola: $2.89/12-pack

Whenever I buy a soda, I get a Diet Coke without further thought — no regular cola, no lemon-lime flavors and no other brands.

Aside from the Coca-Cola and Pepsi companies, there are a plethora of store brands which cost less. Some say the lower price does make a difference and swear by the name brand. I put three colas (in their non-diet versions) to the test.

Coca-Cola —

I started off with the classic. Like I remembered, it was crisp and refreshing. It was sweeter than the diet soda I am used to, but not too sweet.

Big K Cola —

At first sip, I did not notice much of a difference. However, after about half a can, I noticed it was sweeter. It was still crisp, but I did notice a difference.

RC Cola —

This was a soda I just did not want to finish. This is a cola for those who can stomach lots of sugar and syrup. It was dark soda at its darkest and frankly, not my thing.

When I finished testing the sodas, I threw the RC Cola out, put the Big K Cola in the refrigerator for later and finished my Coca-Cola. At the end of the day, I realized I would pay the extra few dollars for my Coca-Cola, but I would not be opposed to a Big K if it was handed to me. However, my days with RC Cola ended before they began. It is not for the former diet soda drinker or the faint of stomach.

Reporter Ninette Cheng: ninettecheng@thedaily.washington.edu