So, maybe it’s a bit of culinary curmudgeon in me that’s not really ever been a fan of taking something that’s already good, like an Oreo, or a cola, and then altering it to be every flavor under the sun just for collectability and novelty’s sake. I mean, if the thing is a definite improvement, say, Double Stuf, or adding chocolate, sure. But if you’re just trying to make people go “WEIIIIIIRD..” well...should we be selling this en masse?
I mean, I’m all for innovation. But at what point does something become less a flavor/variation of something like an Oreo and more something else, like a star shaped grape sandwich cookie with a clear gel instead of creme filling? And take it with a grain of salt since it’s Papa John’s old adage, but “better ingredients, better pizza.” I tend to think quality - real, sincere food quality, is what makes something worth writing home - or to you all, about. So I’m not one of those to flock to the store to get every limited edition version of every snack food and drink that hits shelves- it’s not in my nature. If the flavor has an actually descriptive name, like Strawberry or even something that hints at flavors like “tropical” then I’ll pick it up at my leisure, and if I get mad enough about this edition’s flavor being “the scent of the pavement after a summer rain in the desert” then I’ll get that one too - (Looking at you, Coca Cola Limited Edition Ultimate XP flavor, and you, Coca Cola Move which is the flavor of “transformation” - so, mostly to you, Coca-Cola, though Oreo also takes things to egregious extremes)
Imagine the rage which stirred in my soul, then, when I saw this press release from Coca Cola, introducing their latest “flavor.” Prepare your souls.
Y3000. It;s what the future “tastes and feels like,” according to Coca-Cola’s marketing team, who have collectively gone out of bounds.
“Coca‑Cola® Y3000 Zero Sugar was co-created with human and artificial intelligence by understanding how fans envision the future through emotions, aspirations, colors, flavors and more. Fans’ perspectives from around the world, combined with insights gathered from artificial intelligence, helped inspire Coca‑Cola to create the unique taste of Y3000.”
So fruity and artificial in a strangely familiar yet vaguely threatening way? Like most of these turn out? But also surprisingly flat, given that it’s zero sugar?
But perhaps I’m being too harsh on this beverage concept. Maybe the future tastes like some amazing fruit combination that just hadn’t been thought up yet and who am I to judge? I’ve fallen victim to plenty of food fads to include “make everything with sundried tomatoes” “all the pandemic sourdough” and the only now waning “bacon is the reason I live” thing.
It’s just.. AI generated Coke? Are we collectively ready for that?
I don’t think I am.
Regardless, you can procure the Y3000 from Coca Cola vending machines that are probably not linked to Skynet AND look out for an upcoming fashion collaboration with AMBUSH featuring some limited edition gear...for some reason.