No, your taste buds aren't playing tricks on you! Despite their similar qualities, there is an actual difference.

不，并不是你的味蕾有问题！虽然他们是差不多的东西，但两者实际上有区别。

Pepsi and Coca-Cola may be one of the most controversial drink debates of all time. A strong divide between diehard Coke drinkers and Pepsi enthusiasts¹ has always existed.

百事可乐和可口可乐可能是有史以来饮料界最大的争议了。可口可乐和百事可乐的死忠粉素来分歧严重。

Yet, the two drinks are practically identical in every way from their caramel syrup² color to their ingredients.

但是，这两种饮料不管是从焦糖一样的颜色看，还是从原料上看，都基本一样。

Both sodas³ contain sodium⁴, sugar, carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and natural flavors.

两种汽水都含钠、白砂糖、碳酸水、高糖玉米糖浆、磷酸、咖啡因和天然香料。

Despite their numerous similarities, Pepsi and Coca-Cola still give people two vastly different flavor experiences, which explains why people prefer one over the other.

尽管他们有太多共同点，但百事可乐和可口可乐依旧给人们带来了两种很不一样的味觉体验，或许这就是为什么很多人会对其中一种颇有偏好。

In Blink, a book about decision making and thinking, by author and journalist, Malcolm Gladwell, he writes, “Pepsi is sweeter than Coke and is also characterized by a citrusy flavor burst, unlike the more raisiny-vanilla taste of Coke.”

作家兼记者Malcolm Gladwell曾经写过一本关于决策与思考的书，叫《眨眼之间》，他在书中写到：“百事可乐比可口可乐要甜，而且会爆发出一种柑橘般的味道，而不是可口可乐那种香草葡萄干的味道。”

In fact, a 12 ounce can of Pepsi contains one thing Coke does not—citric acid. In addition, Pepsi also has two more grams of sugar than Coke.

实际上，在那一罐12盎司的百事可乐里，有一样东西是可口可乐不具备的，那就是柠檬酸。此外，百事可乐比可口可乐多含2克糖。

These two subtle differences give Pepsi its sweet, citrus-like flavor that people either love or loathe⁵.

就是这么一点区别给百事可乐带来了更甜、柑橘般的味道，有的人喜欢它，有的人讨厌它。

Plus, the additional 15 mg of sodium in a can of Coke may explain why it tastes more like a club soda with a toned-down sweetness.

另外，可口可乐里面多含的15毫克钠可能解释了它为什么像酒吧里卖的汽水一样不那么甜。