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Cola flavors come from a mix of ingredients, including kola nuts, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon oils, and phosphoric acid. Cocaine was once an additive, but caffeine is now used. Sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, also affect taste. Different brands have varying amounts of flavors.
Over the years Cola brands have differentiated in flavors and most bottles simply list “artificial and natural flavors” as ingredients. However, looking at original cola recipes can give you an insight into current flavors. Some of the flavors likely come from the kola nuts, which is where the name comes from, but most of the distinctive flavors are provided by various citrus, vanilla, and cinnamon oils.
Almost everyone who drinks Coke knows that the first additives to Coke included cocaine, hence the name. However, cocaine doesn’t add a strong flavor. By the mid-20th century, cocaine had been abandoned and instead caffeine had been added to give the drink the jolt that users had adapted to. Although the official recipe is a closely guarded secret, coca leaf extract, from which the cocaine has been removed, is still believed to be used in the flavoring.
Recipes in the 19th century Good Housekeeping cookbook series include kola nuts. Many recipes still list these bitter, caffeine-rich nuts from South America in the ingredients, but how much they are used in modern commercial recipes is unknown. Some small brands still stick to the original recipes and the result is a stronger tasting cola.
Most colas, however, use a mix of flavors, including vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus, made into syrup. The drink also gets flavor from phosphoric acid, which provides a more acidic taste. Interestingly, phosphoric acid is often taken as an antiemetic drug; this is why flat cola is sometimes recommended to help reduce vomiting.
Flavorings can also be added to the cola. In malt shops in the 1940s and on, customers could order a chocolate or cherry cola. Adding grenadine or chocolate syrup made these drinks special, and many find them superior to the versions now available. Today, many cola brands offer flavors such as cherry-lemon or lime. Some find lemon particularly refreshing; some complain that they taste too sweet.
Sweeteners can also change the taste and acidity of the drink. In the United States, most regular colas are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or Splenda can notably change the profile of a diet drink. Because these are much sweeter than sugar, it’s hard to find the right mix between them and the other ingredients. While aspartame has been the choice of most cola companies for a while, many are switching to other artificial sweeteners. However, not everyone is satisfied with the results of the pass.
Various brands of cola add flavors in different amounts, accounting for the taste differences in the brands. There are staunch Coca-Cola drinkers, as well as those who only drink Pepsi. Some are fans of Royal Crown or King Cola.
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