Discover the Top 16 Fascinating Facts About Coca-Cola You Might Want to Know

On May 8, 1886, Dr. John S Pemberton concocted the formula, but it was his accountant who coined the name 'Coca-Cola®'. Frank M Robinson suggested that the two Cs would look great in advertising. Alongside that, Robinson also crafted the iconic Coca-Cola script logo we recognize globally today. With its elegant script, Robinson's intricate design was ahead of its time and remains one of the most recognizable brands worldwide.

Keeping it real, the ribbon motif underwent enhancements with yellow and some bubbles in 2003 in the 'Coca-Cola... Real' campaign. A classic design shift from the previous one occurred in 2007 with a simple and bold approach featuring a single white ribbon. Rather than seeing different packaging for Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, and Coke No Sugar, all flavors are unified under the classic Red Disc logo design. The latest iteration of the Coca-Cola logo aims to emphasize that all flavors are part of the Coca-Cola family.

Coca-Cola boasts a distinctive red hue, and the soft drink manufacturer has exerted considerable effort to maintain this specific color. It's a key aspect of the brand's identity. A whopping 94% of the world's population can recognize its iconic red and white logo. If Coca-Cola were to change this trademark color now, it would undoubtedly be challenging for people to accept, as they are deeply familiar with this unique hue. Coca-Cola also reports that its name is the second most universally understood term globally, following 'okay.'

In marketing, the color red symbolizes power, excitement, energy, and passion. It also stimulates appetite, making it an excellent choice for branding food or beverages. Studies also indicate that the color red can spur purchases (a fantastic feature for any product if you're a manufacturer). The swirling white letters also mimic passion. White is perceived as a vibrant color, making it perfect for signage due to its eye-catching quality. There was a period in the 1980s when the brand 'Coke' faced some challenges in brand recognition. It was also discovered that there were many variations in the actual red color of the Coca-Cola logo. Different shades existed between countries, states, and even from one store to another!

The Coca-Cola Company is a multinational conglomerate based in the United States, established in 1892. It is the world's largest producer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages. The company offers over 500 brands and 3,500 beverages in more than 200 countries and territories. Its product range includes soft drinks, carbonated beverages such as sodas, fruit-flavored drinks, enhanced water, energy drinks, and sports drinks, as well as ready-to-drink coffee and tea.

Despite three CEO changes since 2000, Coke maintains its leadership position in the U.S. carbonated beverage market, holding a 42.8% market share compared to Pepsi's 31.1%. A total of 1.7 billion servings of Coke products are consumed every day. Of the 55 billion daily beverage servings (excluding water) worldwide, 1.7 billion are licensed/branded Coca-Cola beverages.

John Pemberton was the mastermind behind Coca-Cola dating back to 1886. Initially created to develop a beverage to help him overcome a morphine addiction after serving in the army, Pemberton's research led to the creation of a refreshing and unique drink like Coca Cola, etching his name in human history. The unexpected global success of this unique beverage he crafted transcends its initial purpose, evolving from a personal remedy to a robust brand.

John S. Pemberton, an Atlanta-based pharmacist, worked for his own company, Pemberton's Chemical Company. The drink's name was coined by Pemberton's accountant, Frank Robinson, who also scripted the iconic Coca-Cola brand. Initially marketed as a medicinal tonic for common ailments, it contained cocaine from coca leaves and caffeine-rich extract from kola nuts. Cocaine was removed from the formula around 1903. In 1891, Asa Griggs Candler secured full ownership of the business, spending $2,300 and exchanging some ownership stakes.

After the word 'Okay,' the term 'Coca-Cola' is considered the second most universally understood on the planet, thanks to the brand's unparalleled popularity and memorability. This underscores the success in building and developing brand recognition alongside Coca-Cola's distinct advertising campaigns.

The beverage manufacturer also introduced a soft drink named 'OK Soda' to ensure ownership of both terms widely recognized worldwide. Undoubtedly, Coca-Cola has made such a distinctive and recognizable mark, leaving an indelible impression on people throughout its developmental history.

When it comes to beverage consumption levels, few products reach the staggering consumption seen with Coca Cola. On average, we consume nearly 10,450 products from the Coca-Cola brand every second. Calculating an average for a day, while another soda brand sells over 200 million products, Coca-Cola can consume over 902 million products each day. An impressive figure! The U.S. giant, Coca-Cola, once again claims the title of the world's most valuable soft drink brand, despite a 13% decrease in brand value to $33.2 billion. Coca-Cola maintains its lead over competitor Pepsi, standing at the second position with a brand value of $18.4 billion.

Based on marketing investment evaluation indices, stakeholder equity, and business performance, Coca-Cola is also the world's strongest soft drink brand - ranking 4th globally in the Brand Finance Global 500 2021 with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.7 out of 100 and an AAA+ exceptional brand strength rating. With a rich 129-year history, Coca-Cola remains the most consumed soft drink globally, with an astonishing 1.9 billion servings enjoyed every day across 200 countries. However, like other global brands, the brand's parent company has not escaped the impact of COVID-19, with the multinational corporation forced to restructure and cut over 2,000 jobs.

If you're interested in Coca-Cola, you'll likely be astonished by these colossal statistics. Coca-Cola boasts nearly 500 brands with 3,500 different beverages. Among Coca Cola's brands are both sodas and soy drinks. Coca Cola produces a myriad of diverse beverages, and if you were to drink one every day, it would take over 9 years to try them all. Coca-Cola's product portfolio includes over 3,500 drinks (and 500 brands), ranging from carbonated sodas, energy drinks to soy-based beverages.

The beverage brands of Coca-Cola Company include Costa Coffee, Fanta, Ayataka green tea, Dasani water, Del Valle fruit juices and honey, Georgia coffee, AdeS soy-based drinks. It also encompasses Honest Tea, Gold Peak tea and coffee, Minute Maid fruit juices, Powerade sports drinks, Innocent smoothies and fruit juices, Simply Juices, Smart Water, Sprite, ZICO Coconut Water, and Vitamin water. Each year, the company introduces hundreds of new products to meet the ever-changing preferences of customers globally. Additionally, Diet Coke has become the world's best-selling diet cola, and Coca-Cola is modernizing and revitalizing its Diet Coke brand for a new generation, featuring a fresh look and more flavors.

Why Coca-Cola remains the world's largest beverage brand today is still a challenging question. Is it perhaps the quality that first defines the brand? And also, because it's widely embraced by people, Coca-Cola's revenue reached an estimated $48 billion in 2012, equivalent to the GDP of the 70th largest economy in the world, on par with countries like Slovenia and Costa Rica. The Coca-Cola brand is valued at about $74 billion: more than Budweiser, Pepsi, Starbucks, and Red Bull combined according to BrandZ Top 100.

Although Coca-Cola's revenue is 38% lower than PepsiCo's last year, Coke generated much more revenue from soft drinks - about $28 billion compared to $12 billion. However, Coke's solid sales figures suggest there may still be some vitality for its core carbonated beverages. Coke reported that tea and coffee sales worldwide grew faster than soda in Q3, led by steady demand in Japan and Turkey, as well as strong sales of Gold Peak tea in North America. Coke is also actively advertising its water, juice, milk, and sports drinks to extend beyond classic cola varieties.

Coca-Cola classic is the best-selling beverage in history - but that doesn't stop Coca-Cola from introducing new versions of this beloved refreshment. Here, we unveil some of the weirdest and most successful flavors that have appeared worldwide in recent years. The taste of international Coca-Cola versions differs from Coca-Cola for the U.S. market. Americans prefer less sweetness and more fizz compared to other nations. Could it be the taste preferences of each region, country, that both Coca-Cola flavor varieties are produced to meet the market's demands?

Coca-Cola with Lemon was introduced in the U.S. market in 2001 to compete with Pepsi Twist but was discontinued in 2005. A Diet Coke Lemon was also released, though it was replaced by other peculiar flavors (including Twisted Mango and Ginger Lime) in a recent re-launch in North America. One of the longest-standing cola flavors, Coca-Cola Cherry, debuted in 1985 in the U.S. At its peak, it was available in 36 countries, including the UK, Ireland, China, and Switzerland. It also has a large following: in 2018, UK fans became dismayed by rumors of the drink being discontinued. There's even speculation that the Cherry-flavored Coca-Cola energy drink will make its way to the U.S. in 2020.

Annually, in the U.S. market alone, Coca-Cola uses 300,000 tons of aluminum to produce can lids. With such an enormous daily consumption of aluminum can lids, the number of lids must correspond to the quantity of consumed products. That's why Coca Cola utilized 300,000 tons of aluminum. Although cans were introduced as early as 1916, not all bottlers immediately switched to producing their glass bottles. For many bottlers, glass bottles were the most expensive item in their business. The company began that with a national advertising campaign about the exclusive bottle.

Now, Coca-Cola aims by 2030 to use mostly recycled materials in their packaging. The company will introduce a bottle combining half recycled PET plastic and new PET plastic. They have announced that this will be available for publishers on store shelves by mid-2020. Companies are responding to a new wave of public demand for more environmentally friendly packaging. Pepsi's Aquafina brand also announced the introduction of aluminum cans for their water, designed similarly to Coca-Cola's cans. The Aluminum Coke can is available for the top 3 best-selling products: Coca-Cola Classic, Coca-Cola Zero, and Coca-Cola Diet.

Coca-Cola has long held the position of the world's most popular soft drink, but sometimes Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Diet Coke challenge its supremacy. While people don't consume as much soda as before, Coca-Cola continues to rise in ranks. There are only two countries in the world where Coke is not sold: Cuba and North Korea. Currently, the U.S. is enforcing long-term trade sanctions on these two countries. So, if you can find any Coca-Cola bottles in these lands, chances are they've been smuggled in.

Although Coca-Cola established a bottling plant here in 1906, production ceased in 1962. The assets of all foreign-owned properties there were seized, and the U.S. began enforcing trade sanctions. Coca-Cola moved on and never returned. Due to the ongoing U.S. trade and financial sanctions against the Republic of Cuba, no U.S. company is allowed to trade with Cuba. From 1950 to 2008, trade between the U.S. and North Korea was also restricted, and North Korea has not distributed or sold Coca-Cola since the Korean War.

On average, Americans ingest about 4.9 kg of sugar from products bearing the Coca-Cola brand each year. So, if we break it down, every 4 days, an American consumes a product made by Coca-Cola. With the U.S. being an economic powerhouse that readily embraces soft drinks from Coca-Cola, it's safe to say that other countries around the world also welcome it. The robust sales of smaller-sized soft drinks and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar are examples of the 'carbonated business's revival,' suggesting that the company is beginning to win over younger customers.

The smaller-sized Coca-Cola cans appeal to health-conscious consumers who are increasingly mindful of what they drink and eat but may not want to switch to diet sodas containing artificial sweeteners and other chemicals. The soda in Coke's small cans has only 90 calories and contains 25 grams of sugar, compared to a standard 12-ounce can with 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. The company also noted that their Coca-Cola Zero Sugar brand has achieved double-digit volume growth. Coke (KO) rebranded its Coke Zero product to Coca-Cola Zero Sugar a few years ago.

Coca-Cola introduced “New Coke” in 1985 hoping to bring a sweeter flavor to their product that consumers liked from Pepsi. Despite the marketing campaign aimed at diverting attention from Pepsi and returning to Coke, it ended up causing controversy. Coca-Cola fans were furious, and Pepsi took it as an opportunity to boost their sales. The original Coca-Cola's existence was short-lived, and its comeback was welcomed three months later with the name “Coca-Cola Classic.” The company still hoped that 'New Coke' would eventually overshadow the original formula, but it never succeeded. It continued to be sold but without success until it was discontinued in 2002.

In an effort to maintain its dominance, Coca-Cola lost the iconic symbol of its product. In its early years and throughout its existence, Coke stood for the tradition of past generations and symbolized friendship and unity. On the other hand, Pepsi attracted the younger generation and kept moving with the rapidly changing youth encouraged. When Coca-Cola introduced “New Coke,” it was a marketing strategy hoped to capture the hearts of the younger generation as Pepsi did. In doing so, Coca-Cola forgot its original and most loyal consumers, the ones from the older generation.

Coca-Cola did not invent the legend of Santa Claus. Coca-Cola's advertisements played a significant role in shaping the jolly personality we know today. Before 1931, there were various depictions of Santa Claus worldwide, including a tall, thin man and a gnome — even a somewhat intimidating Claus. But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to draw Santa Claus for Christmas advertisements. These paintings depicted Santa as a warm, joyful character with human traits, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, sparkling eyes, and laughter lines.

Sundblom drew inspiration from a poem written in 1822 by Clement Clark Moore titled 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' - commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.' Sundblom's portrayal of Santa Claus debuted in 1931 in Coke ads in The Saturday Evening Post and appeared regularly in that magazine and others such as Ladies Home Journal, National Geographic, The New Yorker, and more. From 1931 to 1964, Coca-Cola's ads showed Santa Claus delivering toys, pausing to read a letter, and enjoying a Coke, visiting children at homes, and opening a fridge in some households.

Coca-Cola stands as one of the beloved products worldwide. While maintaining good health implies moderation in regularly enjoying this beverage, Coca-Cola enthusiasts will be delighted to know that soda pop has numerous uses unrelated to drinking. Impressively, Coca-Cola can be employed for cleaning, rust removal, and even aiding in maintaining your garden. Coca-Cola is also an effective method for pest control in your garden. To eliminate slugs and snails damaging your plants, pour a small bowl of Coca-Cola and place it near your garden or flower pot. The scent will attract these crawling insects, and the acidity of the beverage will eliminate them.

Coca-Cola can also melt ice on your windshield in winter. Simply pour Coke naturally on your windshield and wait for about a minute; the ice will be easily removable. Coca-Cola is also handy in the kitchen, especially on burnt pans. For any heavily burnt pan, pour a can of Coca-Cola into the pan and simmer it; cleaning will be a breeze. You can also soak your kettle and other kitchen utensils in Coca-Cola to remove buildup and residue. Another way Coca-Cola can assist in caring for your car is by removing dirt on your windshield. Dip a piece of cloth into the cola, then scrub it on your windshield.

The seven-ingredient formula was crafted by John Pemberton, an Atlanta chemist and former Confederate Army officer, known for creating cough medicine and other concoctions during his free time. In 1887, he sold this formula to a businessman, Asa Griggs, who immediately stored it in the then Georgia Trust Bank. Currently, the biggest mystery surrounding Coca-Cola is the formula for creating the world's most popular beverage. Globally, only two people are said to know the formula for Coca-Cola's soft drink. Naturally, as a precaution against mishaps, they are not allowed to travel on the same flight to prevent a scenario where the plane might crash. However, the Coca-Cola formula may have been leaked and circulated on various forums and social media.

The rediscovered formula includes extracts from coca leaves, caffeine, abundant sugar (specified at 30 units, believed to be pounds), citrus fluid, vanilla, and caramel. In that syrup, all seven essential flavoring oils are added: alcohol and six oil flavors - orange, lemon, nutmeg, coriander, neroli, and cinnamon. This formula closely resembles the formula inferred by Mark Pendergrast, who wrote the beverage's history in 1993 titled For God, Country & Coca-Cola. In reality, Coke's secret formula is part myth. Contrary to the mystery surrounding it, the soda has undergone significant changes over time.