The Secret Formula

Current Formula:

·         Carbonated water

·         Sugar (high fructose corn syrup in America and other countries, sucrose in other countries such as Germany)

·         Caffeine

·         Phosphoric acid

·         Caramel color

·         Natural flavorings (trade secret)

Two controversial ingredients have let a lot of people speculate both the best and the worst about the coke formula. The most frowned upon and surprising is that the soft-drink used to contain cocaine. The other is caffeine from kola nuts which still is a part of the formula today. The government was against both these ingredient but they could not get rid of the caffeine in the soda. Is this the first time you have heard about this?

Coca Leaf

In 1891, per gallon of syrup five ounces of coca leaf was in the fast-selling soft drink. Speculations traveled fast about how much cocaine was in a glass of the refreshing drink. At one point people believed every glass of coke had about nine milligrams of cocaine. Currently the formula only includes cocaine-free coca leaf so the drink maintains the flavor but does not include cocaine.

Kola Nuts (A.K.A Caffeine)

Kola nuts add a bitter flavor to the drink and contain about two percent caffeine.  There was some dispute between the company of coke and the government whether or not the formula should include caffeine. The government was in favor for the drink to exclude caffeine but the results of the dispute let the formula have the same amount of the stimulant.