Coca-Cola is much more than just a simple drink; it is a global icon that has transcended borders and cultures since its creation in 1886. Over the years, the brand has not only captured the taste of billions of people around the world but has also become an integral part of pop culture and contemporary history.
Its fascinating journey is filled with curiosities and surprising facts that go beyond its refreshing taste. From the mysterious origin of its secret formula to innovative advertising campaigns that set trends, Coca-Cola has a rich and diverse history that deserves exploration.
In this text, we will dive into some of the most intriguing curiosities about this iconic brand and discover what makes Coca-Cola such an irresistible and enduring global phenomenon.
1 – CONTROVERSIAL INGREDIENT
Although Coca-Cola did not include pure cocaine in its original recipe, the question of whether the drink contained the substance is a point of debate. In fact, Coca-Cola used a significant amount of coca leaves in its initial formula. The original recipe specified the use of five ounces of coca leaves per gallon of syrup, resulting in approximately 9 milligrams of cocaine per serving.
For comparison, an average dose of cocaine is between 50 to 75 milligrams. However, cocaine was completely removed from the drink in 1905. Today, Coca-Cola uses a coca leaf extract that is completely cocaine-free.
2 – IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SYRUP
John Pemberton certainly left a significant legacy. After being wounded in one of the last battles of the Civil War, he developed a morphine addiction during his recovery. His original invention was an alcoholic beverage called “Pemberton’s French Wine Coca”, a formula combining coca, kola nut, and damiana, intended as an alternative painkiller to morphine.
Seeking to create a more marketable product, Pemberton developed Coca-Cola as a non-alcoholic version of his previous drink.
During the process of testing different mixtures for the new medicine, he accidentally combined the base syrup with carbonated water.
This mistake led Pemberton to decide to market the final product as a refreshing drink, rather than a medicine.
3 – COCA-COLA USED TO BE SOLD FOR 5 CENTS
From 1886 to 1959, the price of a 6.5-ounce glass or bottle of Coca-Cola was fixed at just 5 cents. This low cost was made possible by a combination of bottling contracts, effective advertising strategies, vending machines, and relatively low inflation. The owner of Coca-Cola had sold the bottling rights for just one dollar, an amount that was never paid due to the belief that bottling would not be successful and the fact that the contract, by mistake, had no expiration date.
As maintaining the 5-cent price became less viable, Coca-Cola even requested that the U.S. Treasury issue a 7.5-cent coin to replace the 5-cent coin.
Additionally, some vending machines were deliberately left empty, forcing customers to use two cents to buy a Coca-Cola.
As inflation increased, Coca-Cola began gradually phasing out the 5-cent ads in the early 1950s, and in 1959, the last 5-cent bottle of Coca-Cola was sold.
4 – “ALMOST” WORLDWIDE
With the exception of North Korea and Cuba, Coca-Cola is available in most countries around the world. However, in these two countries, the situation is a bit different. There, Coca-Cola is classified as a “parallel import”, meaning the drink is brought in from other countries without the official authorization of The Coca-Cola Company.
5 – SELLING TO CHINA WAS CHALLENGING
China represents a challenging market for brand adjustments. When Coca-Cola decided to enter the Chinese market, it had to find a name that was appropriate for the various dialects and languages spoken in the country.
Initially, the company used the name “Kekoukela,” which, although phonetically similar, translates in some dialects to “bite the wax tadpole” or “female horse stuffed with wax”.
After further research, Coca-Cola discovered an alternative that fit well and became widely accepted. The chosen name was “Kekoukele”, which means “tasty fun” and was positively received in China.
Few brands manage such a smooth adaptation as Coca-Cola’s translation.
6 – IS IT USED BY POLICE TO CLEAN BLOOD?
While some think the police carry two liters in the trunk, that might be just in case the officers get thirsty.
However, Coca-Cola has actually proven effective in removing blood stains and was tested on the popular show “Mythbusters”.
7 – 16 DIFFERENT FLAVORS?
Coca-Cola flavors are not available worldwide, and some never make it to the market. Among the lesser-known and unsuccessful flavors are New Coke, Coca-Cola Orange, and Coca-Cola BlaK, a coffee-flavored version.
Coca-Cola BlaK had a short life, being sold from 2006 to 2008 and available in only seven countries. However, Coca-Cola has announced plans to launch a new coffee-related product in the future.
8 – A CAMPAIGN THAT WENT WRONG
In 1990, Coca-Cola launched the “MagiCans” promotion, offering consumers the chance to win prizes ranging from US$1 to US$500. Other cans contained coupons for trips or merchandise, and the cans were designed with a spring mechanism to release the prize when opened.
To prevent participants from identifying which cans contained prizes, the weight of the cans had to be disguised. The prize cans were filled with a solution of water, chlorine, and ammonium sulfate, which had an unpleasant smell and was not recommended for consumption. Despite this, some people still attempted to drink the contents, although the solution was harmless.
Coca-Cola ended the promotion earlier than planned due to complaints about defective cans and the negative publicity associated with it. Although less than 1% of the cans had problems, the backlash was enough to bring the campaign to an end.
9 – IT WAS SOLD DURING WORLD WAR II
Coca-Cola wanted soldiers in combat to feel a bit of home, so they set up bottling plants near Europe. However, being seen drinking Coca-Cola could be problematic for someone who wasn’t American, as the brand had become a symbol of the United States.
This became a specific issue in the Soviet Union, where Coca-Cola was seen as an emblem of American imperialism. Marshal Zhukov, a prominent figure in the Soviet Union, enjoyed the drink but didn’t want to be seen consuming it. He asked Coca-Cola to create a colorless version, which was successfully done.
A chemist at a bottling plant in Austria managed to remove the color from Coca-Cola, resulting in a drink bottled in clear glass with a white cap and a red star. Despite the usual long waits for goods to be cleared in Soviet-occupied zones, shipments of Coca-Cola were never halted.
10 – COCA-COLA AT MCDONALD’S TASTES BETTER!
The Coca-Cola served from McDonald’s taps is often considered the best option for the drink. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, Coca-Cola syrup is delivered to McDonald’s in stainless steel containers, which preserve the syrup more effectively than the plastic bags used for other soda syrups.
Additionally, the syrup is kept circulating through insulated, refrigerated tubes, while the carbonated water is maintained at a temperature between 33 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The ratio between the chilled syrup and carbonated water is adjusted to account for ice melting over time, ensuring that the melting ice doesn’t affect the taste of the drink.
Furthermore, McDonald’s uses one of the most advanced water filtration systems available on the market.
11 – COCA-COLA CREATED SANTA CLAUS AS WE KNOW HIM TODAY
Coca-Cola started running Christmas campaigns in the 1920s, but it was in 1931 that the brand truly solidified its association with the holiday. Artist Haddon Sundblom created a series of illustrations of Santa Claus for Coca-Cola, depicting him as a jolly, plump man dressed in the red and white outfit we know today.
These images were published in magazine ads during Christmas and helped define the modern image of Santa Claus.
Before Sundblom’s illustrations, the image of Santa Claus varied significantly. Coca-Cola’s representation helped standardize Santa’s appearance with the red and white suit, which became a huge success and an essential part of Christmas celebrations for many people.
12 – WELL-GUARDED RECIPE
The Coca-Cola formula is one of the world’s best-kept secrets. It is stored in a vault in Atlanta, and only a small number of people know the exact recipe.
Beyond the physical vault, there are strict security measures surrounding the formula. Only a few key executives and employees have access to the complete recipe, and they undergo rigorous security procedures.
The formula is divided into two parts, each known only by a separate group of people. This is done to ensure that no one has access to the entire recipe.
Coca-Cola, with its secret formula and rigorous protection, continues to be a global symbol of refreshment and innovation. Since its creation in 1886, the brand has maintained the mystery around its recipe as one of its greatest assets, ensuring that the drink’s distinctive flavor remains unchanged.
The meticulous security, which includes vault storage and splitting the formula between distinct groups, underscores the importance Coca-Cola places on its heritage and tradition. Moreover, the brand is a fascinating example of how secrecy and marketing can combine to create a corporate legend.
These curiosities not only highlight Coca-Cola’s unique history but also illustrate how mystery and protection can elevate a product to the status of a global icon.
In the end, Coca-Cola is not just a drink but a testament to the impact a well-guarded formula can have in the business world.