Mountain Dew is indeed different in Europe compared to the United States. The main difference lies in the sweeteners used in the two regions. In the US, Mountain Dew is sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), while in Europe, specifically in the UK, it is sweetened with plain and simple sugar.
The use of HFCS as a sweetener is more common in the United States, where it is widely used in many food and beverage products. However, in the European Union, there are stricter regulations on the use of certain ingredients, including HFCS. As a result, Mountain Dew had to adjust its formula to comply with these regulations in order to be sold in the UK and other European countries.
While HFCS and sugar are both sweeteners, they have slightly different properties and can affect the taste of a product. Some people argue that HFCS has a sweeter taste compared to sugar, while others claim they can detect a difference in flavor. The choice to use sugar in the UK version of Mountain Dew may have been influenced by consumer preferences and the desire to comply with the EU regulations.
As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have noticed that the choice of sweetener can greatly impact the overall taste and experience of a beverage. Sugar, being a more natural and traditional sweetener, can provide a different flavor profile compared to HFCS. It is often perceived as having a cleaner and more balanced sweetness.
It is worth noting that the difference in sweeteners used in Mountain Dew may not be the only variation between the US and European versions. The regulations on food additives, flavorings, and colorings can also differ between regions, which may lead to slight variations in the ingredients used.
Mountain Dew is indeed different in Europe compared to the United States. In the UK and other European countries, Mountain Dew is sweetened with sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup. This adjustment was necessary to comply with EU regulations on food ingredients. The choice of sweetener can impact the taste of the beverage, and some people may notice a difference between the two versions.