"veris and amee young" > wrote in message
...
> hi
>
> I just read today for first time about using coke in recpies. I was
> wondering if any one can tell me benifits of using coke like what does it
> do? or is it just for flavor ect ? also would only the brand name coke can
> be used in the recipe or can you use store brand cola? was thinking about
> making the BBQ chicken in crock pot with coke recipe.
>
> thanks for help
>
> amee

I've use coke to baste a ham while it's baking. I suspect that is mostly a
flavor thing, although coke does contain dilute carbonic acid. If you want
to see an interesting effect, soak a raw egg (in it's shell) overnight in a
glass of coke.

I suspect that almost any carbonated soft drink with roughly the same
flavor (except the "diet" versions) would give the same results.
HOWEVER . . . . true coca cola afficianados in this part of the country
swear that there is a difference in the taste of Mexican coke vs the product
bottled here in the states. There may be something to this. The Mexican
bottlers use cane sugar as the sweetener in their coke. On this side of the
border, the bottlers use corn syrup (basically Karo syrup). One of our
better markets, HEB Central Grocery, has racks of bottles of Mexican coke
which they sell at a premium. The labels on the bottles are new, but the
bottles are frosted from years of recycling. Some of those bottles are
probably older than my neckties.