For many years, Coca Cola has been one of the most popular soft drinks in the world. It is a refreshing drink that quenches thirst and provides a burst of energy. However, not many people know the history behind the original Coca Cola recipe.
The Beginning
In 1886, a pharmacist named John Pemberton invented Coca Cola in Atlanta, Georgia. Pemberton was trying to find a cure for headaches and came up with a drink that contained caffeine and extracts of the coca leaf and the kola nut.
The drink was initially sold at soda fountains as a medicine that could cure various ailments, such as indigestion, nerve disorders, and impotence. However, it soon became popular as a refreshing drink that people could enjoy on hot summer days.
The Recipe
The original Coca Cola recipe contained the following ingredients:
- 1 oz of Coca Leaf Extract
- 3 oz of Citric Acid
- 1 oz of Caffeine
- 3 oz of Sugar
- 2.5 gallons of Water
- 1 pint of Lime Juice
- 1 oz of Vanilla Extract
- 1 oz of Caramel
- 0.5 oz of Lemon Oil
- 0.25 oz of Nutmeg Oil
- 0.25 oz of Coriander Oil
- 0.25 oz of Neroli Oil
The recipe was a closely guarded secret and was only known to a few people, including Pemberton's bookkeeper and his son. Pemberton himself never wrote the recipe down, and it was only discovered decades later in an old ledger.
Changes to the Recipe
Over the years, the Coca Cola recipe has gone through several changes. In 1903, the company removed the cocaine from the coca leaf extract, and in 1929, they replaced the coca leaf extract with "spent" leaves that had already been processed to remove the cocaine.
In 1985, the company introduced "New Coke," a reformulated version of Coca Cola that was sweeter and smoother than the original recipe. However, the new formula was not well-received by consumers, who preferred the original taste. The company eventually brought back the original formula under the name "Coca Cola Classic."
Conclusion
The original Coca Cola recipe is a fascinating piece of history that has captured the imagination of people around the world. Despite the changes that have been made to the recipe over the years, the original formula remains a symbol of the company's heritage and success.