Type | Cola |
---|---|
Manufacturer | The Coca-Cola Company |
Country of origin | United States |
Introduced | May 8, 1886 |
Color | Caramel E-150d |
Flavor | Cola |
Variants | |
Related products |
Pepsi Irn-Bru RC Cola Afri-Cola Postobón Inca Kola Kola Real Cavan Cola |
Website | www |
Coca-Cola (often referred to simply as Coke) is an American carbonated soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Originally intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Pemberton. Coca-Cola was bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler, whose marketing tactics led Coke to its dominance of the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century. The drink's name refers to two of its original ingredients, which were kola nuts (a source of caffeine) and coca leaves. The current formula of Coca-Cola remains a trade secret, although a variety of reported recipes and experimental recreations have been published.
The Coca-Cola Company produces concentrate, which is then sold to licensed Coca-Cola bottlers throughout the world. The bottlers, who hold exclusive territory contracts with the company, produce the finished product in cans and bottles from the concentrate, in combination with filtered water and sweeteners. A typical 12-US-fluid-ounce (350 ml) can contains 38 grams (1.3 oz) of sugar (usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup). The bottlers then sell, distribute and merchandise Coca-Cola to retail stores, restaurants and vending machines throughout the world. The Coca-Cola Company also sells concentrate for soda fountains of major restaurants and foodservice distributors.
The Coca-Cola Company has on occasion introduced other cola drinks under the Coke name. The most common of these is Diet Coke, with others including Caffeine-Free, Caffeine-Free Diet Coke, Cherry, Zero, Vanilla and special versions with lemon, lime, and coffee. Based on Interbrand's best global brand study of 2015, Coca-Cola was the world's third most valuable brand. In 2013, Coke products were sold in over 200 countries worldwide, with consumers downing more than 1.8 billion company beverage servings each day.