If you’ve ever taken a swig of soda from a fountain machine and remarked that it tastes different from canned soda, you’re not alone. And the difference probably isn’t just in your head.It turns out that soda from machines in restaurants and fast food joints might actually taste different for a number of reasons. 

If you always assumed that the soda in fountain machines is just decanted into the contraption from giant bottles, you’re wrong. 

Fountain drinks are mixed from flavored syrup and carbonated water right in the machine. Even though soda manufacturers require the proportion of syrup to water to be the same in every machine, that’s not always the case. 

According to HuffPost, “fountain drinks vary by establishment. It seems some stores use more syrup to flavor the drink, some less and mix this with varying levels of carbon dioxide.”

This means that you might get two very different tasting versions of the same brand of soda depending on where you fill your cup. 

In fact, the New York Times reported that Coca-Cola might actually have a special relationship with McDonald’s.

“At other restaurants, Coke syrup is delivered in plastic bags. But for McDonald’s, Coke delivers its syrup in stainless steel tanks that ensure its freshness, creating what many believe is the best Coca-Cola available.”

Not only does Coke do this, but other companies as well. The next time you go to a fast food restaurant, don’t be alarmed if the drink does not taste like the can.