Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola, or simply Coke, is a popular carbonated soft drink produced by the Coca-Cola Company. It is enjoyed by consumers in over 200 countries worldwide, with an astonishing 1.8 billion servings sold each day. According to the Fortune 500 list of the largest US corporations, Coca-Cola ranked No. 87 in 2018 based on total revenue. In 2020, Coca-Cola was the sixth most valuable brand according to Interbrand's "best global brand" study.

Initially created as a temperance drink and patent medicine by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia in the late 19th century, Coca-Cola was named after its two original ingredients: coca leaves and kola nuts. Ownership rights were sold to Asa Griggs Candler in 1888, whose marketing tactics played a significant role in the drink's global dominance over the soft-drink market in the 20th and 21st century.

The formula of Coca-Cola remains a well-guarded secret, with only a select few anonymous employees privy to the details. Despite this, a variety of reported recipes and experimental recreations have been published. The drink has inspired countless imitators and created a whole classification of soft drinks known as colas.

The Coca-Cola Company produces concentrate, which is sold to licensed bottlers worldwide. These bottlers produce the finished product in cans and bottles from the concentrate, along with filtered water and sweeteners. A standard 12-US-fluid-ounce (350 ml) can contain approximately 38 grams (1.3 oz) of sugar in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, usually found in North America. Bottlers distribute and merchandise Coca-Cola to retail stores, restaurants, and vending machines worldwide, and also sell concentrate to major restaurants and food service distributors for use in soda fountains.

In addition to Coca-Cola Classic, the company has introduced several other cola drinks, including Diet Coke, Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola, Diet Coke Caffeine-Free, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola Cherry, Coca-Cola Vanilla, and special versions with lemon, lime, and coffee. Coca-Cola was referred to as Coca-Cola Classic from July 1985 to 2009 to differentiate it from "New Coke".

## **Description**

Coke has a distinctive taste profile that can be described as sweet and slightly acidic, with a caramel-like flavor and a subtle hint of vanilla. The carbonation adds a bubbly sensation, and the sweetness is balanced by the slight bitterness of the caffeine and the acidic notes. Overall, the taste of Coke is refreshing and thirst-quenching, making it a popular choice for many people around the world.

## **History**

Main article: History of Coca-Cola and timeline of Coca-Cola

John Stith Pemberton (1831 - 1888) was an American pharmacist and a Confederate States Army veteran addicted to morphine due to being Wounded in Action during the Battle of Columbus. Due to his crippling addiction to morphine, he sought to make an alternative to morphine. After experimenting with many painkillers and toxins, John finally came up with the name "Coca-Cola" for the alliterative sound, which was popular among other wine medicines of the time.

He accidentally blended the base syrup with carbonated water when trying to make another glass of the drink. After his accident, he decided to sell it as a fountain drink rather than a medicine. Shortly after, it was later bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler, which led from the marketing tactics of Coca-Cola to its dominance for the world of the soda market around the world throughout the 20th century.

From the advertisements alone, Coca-Cola of its 50th anniversary, the soda has reached the status of a national icon in the United States and internationally today.

## Ingredients

The Coca-Cola Company's closely guarded trade secret recipe for Coca-Cola syrup used in its flagship cola soft drink consists of a combination of ingredients, approximately 90% of which is water, and sugar for sweetness. While the recipe has never been disclosed, there have been several published recipes which claim to be the authentic formula. Rumors of other ingredients, such as cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, have also circulated, but remain unconfirmed by the company. The company also protects the secrecy of its syrup recipe by shipping ingredients to its syrup factories in the form of anonymous "merchandises", numbered 1 through 9, to keep the specific recipe unknown to any one person.

## Production

Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink that is produced by The Coca-Cola Company, one of the world's largest beverage companies. The production of Coca-Cola involves several steps, including the sourcing of raw materials, the mixing of ingredients, carbonation, bottling, and distribution. Here is a general overview of the production process:

1. Sourcing of raw materials: The primary ingredients in Coca-Cola include high-fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, natural flavors, and carbonated water. These ingredients are sourced from various suppliers around the world.

2. Mixing of ingredients: The ingredients are then mixed together in a large vat to create the syrup that gives Coca-Cola its distinctive flavor. The exact recipe for Coca-Cola is a closely guarded secret and is known only to a select few individuals within the company.

3. Carbonation: Once the syrup is mixed, it is combined with carbonated water to create the fizzy texture of Coca-Cola. The carbonation process involves injecting carbon dioxide gas into the mixture under high pressure.

4. Bottling: The finished product is then bottled in glass or plastic containers, depending on the market and distribution method. The bottles are cleaned, filled with the carbonated beverage, capped, and labeled.

5. Distribution: The bottles are then shipped to retailers and distributors around the world for sale to consumers.

Overall, the production of Coca-Cola is a complex and highly automated process that involves multiple steps and advanced technology. The company's stringent quality control measures ensure that every bottle of Coca-Cola meets the same high standards of taste and consistency, regardless of where it is produced or sold.

## Secret Formula

for more info see Coca-Cola's secret formula

The secret formula of Coca-Cola is a closely guarded trade secret that has been protected by The Coca-Cola Company for over a century. The formula is said to be a key factor in the success of the brand, and its secrecy has been maintained through rigorous security measures and legal protections.

The formula for Coca-Cola was first developed in 1886 by John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. According to the company, the original formula contained a blend of oils, extracts, and spices that gave the beverage its unique flavor. Over the years, the recipe has been refined and tweaked, but the basic ingredients and flavor profile have remained largely consistent.

To protect the secret formula, The Coca-Cola Company has implemented a variety of security measures, including keeping the formula in a secure vault at their headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Only a select group of employees with top-level security clearance are allowed to access the formula, and they are required to sign confidentiality agreements to protect the trade secret.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the formula, there have been many attempts to replicate the taste of Coca-Cola by competitors and enthusiasts alike. However, none have been able to recreate the exact flavor of the original formula, which remains a closely guarded secret to this day.

## Geographical spread

for more info, see: List of countries where coca-cola is available

Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink that is sold in many countries around the world. The brand has a global reach and is one of the most recognizable and popular soft drinks in the world.

Coca-Cola was first introduced in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and initially, it was only sold in the United States. However, as the popularity of the drink grew, the company began expanding its reach to other countries. Today, Coca-Cola is sold in more than 200 countries worldwide.

The company has a strong presence in North America, where it was founded, and in many countries throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. In some countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, Coca-Cola is the leading soft drink brand.

Coca-Cola has also been successful in penetrating emerging markets, such as China and India, where the company has invested heavily in marketing and distribution. In fact, India is now one of the largest markets for Coca-Cola outside of the United States.

The brand has faced some challenges in certain countries due to health concerns related to the high sugar content of its drinks. In response, Coca-Cola has introduced new products, such as low-sugar and no-sugar options, to meet changing consumer preferences.

In summary, Coca-Cola is a globally recognized brand that is sold in more than 200 countries worldwide. The company has a strong presence in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, and has been successful in penetrating emerging markets such as India and China.

## **Trivia**

* Coca-Cola is the most popular and biggest-selling soda in history, as well as the best-known brand in the world.
* Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by Atlanta-based pharmacist John Pemberton. It was originally intended as a medicine to relieve headaches and calm nerves.
* The iconic Coca-Cola logo was created by Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson, and has remained virtually unchanged since its creation in 1887.
* The original Coca-Cola recipe included coca leaves, which contain trace amounts of cocaine. However, the beverage has not contained cocaine since the early 1900s.
* The Coca-Cola Company operates in more than 200 countries and produces over 2,800 different products.
* The Coca-Cola contour bottle was introduced in 1915 and was specifically designed to be easily recognizable even if it was broken or lying on its side.
* Coca-Cola has been a major sponsor of the Olympics since 1928.
* The classic Coca-Cola jingle, "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke", was first aired in 1971 and is widely considered to be one of the most famous advertising campaigns of all time.
* Coca-Cola has been featured in numerous movies, including various James Bond films, The Godfather, and Forrest Gump.
* The Coca-Cola Collectors Club has over 100,000 members worldwide and has held annual conventions since 1974.
* The Coca-Cola recipe is one of the company's most closely-guarded secrets, and is stored in a vault in Atlanta, Georgia.