Up until the late 1980's in Maine, soda came in glass bottles. Then plastic became more economical for bottlers and is now the standard for bottled soda. It's too bad too because a cold soda served from a plastic bottle tastes totally different than when it is served in a glass bottle and there's a reason why.

You can still get some major brands of soda in a glass bottle, but they're expensive. For almost the same price you'd pay for a 20 ounce bottle of Pepsi in a plastic bottle, you only get 12 ounces in a glass bottle. It's also typically made with cane sugar rather than corn syrup which changes the taste too for the better.

WJBQ.com
WJBQ.com
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When I was a kid, soda always came in a glass bottle. A 16 ounce glass bottle of soda would cost you 50 cents and it tasted delicious. Then all of a sudden the glass bottles disappeared and were replaced by plastic. The soda didn't taste the same. Why?

According to Glass is Life, glass bottles are virtually impermeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide. This means that soda in a glass bottle stays fresher and doesn't go flat whereas plastic is porous and the carbon dioxide that makes it fizz can escape much more easily.

How long can a bottle of soda hold its carbonation? This bottle from 1984 still fizzed when opened after more than 30 years. It tasted awful, but the carbonation held. Try that with a plastic bottle after 30 years.

The other reason bottled soda tastes better in glass is because glass is "taste neutral." It preserves the flavor while plastic can chemically react with whatever is inside it changing the taste.

Is it any wonder why beer is still mostly served in glass bottles? No one wants the taste of their beer messed with, so why the taste of soda?

There are still some sodas available in glass, but I've yet to see 20 ounce bottles like we get in plastic.

Glass bottles of soda at Food City in Bridgton
Glass bottles of soda at Food City in Bridgton
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I say let's put soda back in glass bottles so we can experience what it's supposed to taste like. I'm willing to pay a little extra for it. How about you? Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter @Q979.

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