The Ingredients in Coca Cola Explained (2024)

What's Really in Coca Cola?

The Ingredients in Coca Cola Explained (1)

By

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

Learn about ourEditorial Process

Updated on September 29, 2022

You probably know that once upon a time Coca-Cola or co*ke contained cocaine. What you might not know is that the beverage is still flavored with an extract from the coca leaf and that the cocaine which is extracted from the leaves is sold for medicinal use. The Stepan Company extracts cocaine from the coca leaves, which is sold to Mallinckrodt, the only US company that is licensed to purify cocaine. So... what are the other ingredients in co*ke and what do they do?

co*ke actually contains a fairly short list of ingredients:

  • Carbonated water
  • Sugar (which can be sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup)
  • Caffeine
  • Phosphoric acid v. caramel (E150d)
  • Natural flavorings (which include coca leaf extract)

The purpose of the carbonated water and sugar is obvious, but you may be unaware caramel coloring is also an important flavoring agent... well, unless you ever tried the clear versions of co*ke or Pepsi. There's a good reason those never became popular. Caramel color is a soluble food coloring that is prepared by heat treating carbohydrates. The golden or brown liquid retains a bitter taste and burnt sugar odor. The caffeine is a stimulant, but also contributes a characteristic bitter flavor to the cola. The secret formula of the additional flavorings is known to two executives at Coca-Cola. The original copy of the formula is kept in Atlanta in the SunTrust Bank's vault.

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Your Citation

Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Ingredients in co*ke and Their Function." ThoughtCo, Sep. 29, 2022, thoughtco.com/the-ingredients-and-their-function-in-co*ke-explained-3976096.Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2022, September 29). Ingredients in co*ke and Their Function. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-ingredients-and-their-function-in-co*ke-explained-3976096Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Ingredients in co*ke and Their Function." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-ingredients-and-their-function-in-co*ke-explained-3976096 (accessed June 22, 2024).

The Ingredients in Coca Cola Explained (2024)

FAQs

The Ingredients in Coca Cola Explained? ›

CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CARAMEL COLOR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, CAFFEINE. * Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium.

What are the exact ingredients in Coca-Cola? ›

Ingredients: INGREDIENTS: CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CARAMEL COLOR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, CAFFEINE.

What is the chemical formula for Coca-Cola? ›

Coca-Cola and Pepsi are in solution form, hence they don't have a chemical formula. Instead, they have chemical compositions, which includes Water+Sugar+Color+Caffeine+C02.

Is the formula for Coca-Cola secret? ›

The formula for making Coca‑Cola is a trade secret. We have protected the special taste of Coca‑Cola for more than 130 years. Only The Coca‑Cola Company knows how to make Coca‑Cola. That way, when you buy one of our drinks, you can be sure you're getting the same delicious and refreshing experience time and time again!

Does Coca-Cola still have a secret ingredient? ›

While several recipes, each purporting to be the authentic formula, have been published, the company maintains that the actual formula remains a secret, known only to a very few select (and anonymous) employees. The recipe for Coca-Cola remains a closely guarded trade secret.

What gives co*ke its flavor? ›

While cola brands guard their own secret formula's with their lives, using generic terms such as 'artificial and natural flavours', cola generally, is a carbonated beverage which consists of these key ingredients; kola nut, citrus oils, vanilla and cinnamon.

Is the Coca-Cola recipe kept in a vault? ›

Visit The Vault where the legendary secret formula for Coca‑Cola is secured. Representing over 135 years of the history and timeless appeal of Coca‑Cola, the recipe is one of the most closely guarded secrets of all time—and now our guests can get closer to it than ever before!

What is Coca-Cola's secret ingredient 7X? ›

A second part of the formula, which had the code name "7X," contains alcohol, orange oil, lemon oil, nutmeg oil, coriander, neroli and cinnamon. For its part, Coca-Cola is not sweating.

What is the mystery drink of Coca-Cola? ›

Coca-Cola Creations, a line of limited-edition mystery tastes, will include Coca-Cola Ultimate. The series began in early 2022 with Starlight, inspired by the "infinite possibilities of space" and offering a "cooling taste sensation."

What flavor is Dr Pepper? ›

Although Dr Pepper has similarities to cola, the American Food and Drug Administration has ruled that Dr Pepper is not a cola, nor a root beer, nor a fruit-flavored soft drink. Rather, Dr Pepper is said to be in a category of its own kind, called "pepper soda", named for the brand.

What is the new name for co*ke no sugar? ›

Through in-house innovation and extensive market testing, the no-calorie fan favorite delivers an even better-tasting recipe and goes by the name Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar. The new and improved recipe tastes like a co*ke, but with zero sugar and zero calories.

Why is phosphoric acid in co*ke? ›

Phosphoric acid is added to cola drinks to impart tartness, reduce growth of bacteria and fungi, and improve shelf-life.

What is Coca-Cola can made of? ›

The aluminum used in beverage cans is alloyed with manganese and magnesium to improve strength and ductility (its ability to deform rather than fracture under pressure). Different alloys and aluminum thicknesses are used for different components of a can.

What ingredients are different in co*ke and Pepsi? ›

Pepsi contains citric acid, while co*ke does not. Pepsi also has slightly more sugar, calories, and caffeine while co*ke has a tiny edge in sodium. With ingredients that match so closely, neither has an edge as being any healthier than the other.

What is all in Coca-Cola? ›

It's cola flavor, which is basically a combination of sweetener (e.g., sugar), carbonated water (and the level of carbonation can impact flavor), citrus (orange, lemon, lime), vanilla, and a combination of spices including cinnamon and nutmeg, and possibly hints of bitter orange, coriander, anise, lavender, ginger, and ...

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