Coke's Secret Formula: It's OUT!

It appears that the closely guarded secret recipe for Coca-Cola, a mystery for 125 years—has now been publicly revealed.

A Chicago radio show, “This American Life” says it stumbled upon the recipe in a photo that was used back in 1979 in an article on Coke in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The picture showed a handwritten recipe by a friend of John Pemberton’s, written in a book of medicines and ointments. All in a leather-bound journal, it has been passed down through the generations, no one realizing that this was the world’s best-kept corporate secret.

Of course, much of the ingredients are known: extract of coca, caramel, caffeine, sugar and vanilla. What was always missing was that “special” ingredient—known as “7X”, which gave Coke its unique flavor…..

(insert drum roll here) And here it is:

The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops

Until now, the secret formula was the stuff of legend. Supposedly, it has been locked up in a safe for over 125 years. Also, there are only two people at any given time who know the secret ingredients—and they must never travel together.

So, is it the…….ahem…”Real Thing”? Coca-Cola says “No!”:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Q-odr4am0

Here’s an animated and informative quick history of the world’s #1 soft drink:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMa7dM7NHM4&feature=related


And finally, here’s a 1930’s era film on the success of the Coca-Cola Company—even during the Great Depression:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnfpEoN7FCA

I must say that I hope the recipe printed above is NOT the actual secret formula-it’s like knowing how to do a magic trick. You are quickly satisfied—and then a bit disappointed that some of the mystery and magic is gone.

Perhaps we’ll never know…….
I wonder…does DIET Coke have a secret formula?

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