People have noted, recently, the sudden arrival of Kosher Coke. This is CocaCola with a stamp on the lid of OU-P (Orthodox Union of Rabbis, Pesach Certified). The principle difference in this and the normal Coke is the transition from corn syrup to cane sugar sweetner.
Yes, my friends, this would mean it is the REAL THING, and tastes like none other. Go get a two-litre, and you'll understand. It holds the foam in a way we no longer see, and it has a strong bite. Good stuff. Go buy some so CocaCola thinks we have lots more observant Jews in Atlanta, and makes even more for next year.
So, why the difference? Why kill off Corn Syrup? It's not really chometz, you see (not leavened or made of fermented grains) so who would make the confusion?
Ah -- the problem comes from the division of the two major groups of Jews, and in the process for creation of Corn Syrup (from the Corn grain, which is considered a kitniyos, or a legume type plant, meaning "can be cooked like chometz grain, but isn't chometz." This includes rice, peas, mustard seeds, and traditional legumes like beans). In order to extract the syrup, the white corn seed is partially disolved in hydrocholoric acid to soften the cell walls, then enzymes are introduced to release the sugars. These enzymes are commonly derived from chometz (fermented grain), so we really can't prove that we have something safe (though the entire thing can be done enzyme free, it's expensive). Best to avoid it, and pick them back up again after the holiday.
This is the stance of the Ashkenazic Jews, from whom most American Jews descend. Sephardic Jews (Spanish, Israeli) find this to be annoying at times, and "a stupid custom" at worst, while serving rice and lamb dishes during Passover. Still, we can enjoy the benefits of this custom by having neat and interesting food.
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