So THIS Is Why McDonald’s Diet Coke Tastes Better Than Anywhere Else

Even though there’s nothing like cold can of Diet Coke during a summertime barbecue, there’s also nothing like a crisp fountain soda while grabbing some food on the road. Even though you’d assume Diet Coke would be the same throughout the many fast food chains where it’s available, that’s not always true. The Diet Coke at McDonald’s just tastes slightly better — and here’s why.

According to some findings from Spoon University, it turns out that it all starts in the way the syrup is stored. While most places use plastic bags, McDonald’s uses stainless steel containers. As you know, a lot of times the receptacle can change the taste. It’s why water tastes amazing from a clean glass container, and orange juice tastes awful in anything made of metal.

But, that’s not all. According to Buzzfeed, who reported on the findings, McDonald’s also has a special way in which they filter their water. That means there’s a certain level of freshness with their product that you might not find at other chains. Sure, other chains used filtering, but not the same way McDonald’s does.

Finally, the chain focuses a lot of time on temperature. They know that there’s nothing better than an ice cold beverage on a warm day. Spoon University found out that chillier temperatures really do a lot for CO2 levels. But they do something else so genuinely cool that other fast food restaurants should probably follow suit.

They chill the syrup ahead of time, which is genius.

Their straws are also a little wider than standard fast food restaurants, meaning that you get more soda with every sip. So, they really knew how to take a standard product and give it an original spin.

So, if you’re craving a Diet Coke but only from McDonald’s, just know that you’re not the only one out there who can taste a difference.