YouTuber successfully Replicates Coca-Cola Flavor with “Lab-Cola”
A YouTuber operating under the channel “LabCoatz” has gained attention for successfully creating a cola beverage, dubbed “Lab-Cola,” that reportedly tastes remarkably similar to Coca-Cola. The experiment, documented on YouTube, involved analyzing the chemical composition of Coca-Cola and meticulously attempting to recreate its flavor profile.
The YouTuber began by outlining the known ingredients in a litre of Coca-Cola: 110g of sugar, 96mg of caffeine, 0.64g of phosphoric acid, and undisclosed “natural flavors” contributing to its characteristic brown color. He then embarked on a series of experiments,testing various essential oils like cinnamon,orange,clove,and pepper.He even attempted to follow historical recipes, including a version based on Dr. John Stith Pemberton’s original formula from 1886, which included sugar, water, lime juice, and a mysterious “Merchandise 7X” flavoring, along with coca extract.
The breakthrough came with the inclusion of tannins, compounds found in wine and tea. the YouTuber explained that tannins impart a “dry and astringent taste” which helps balance the sweetness and, crucially, are non-volatile, meaning they don’t register on gas-based mass spectrometry analysis – potentially explaining their omission from publicly available ingredient lists.
After refining the recipe, the YouTuber conducted blind taste tests with friends and others, reporting a consensus that “Lab-Cola could be mistaken for the real Coca-Cola.”
The success of the experiment raises questions about the complexity of Coca-Cola’s flavoring and the role of subtle ingredients like tannins. It remains to be seen if The Coca-Cola Company will comment on the accuracy of the replicated formula.
Related: In a separate incident, a brief appearance by Lionel Messi featuring a Sprite and wine combination led to a significant, albeit temporary, surge in Coca-Cola’s stock value, demonstrating the brand’s sensitivity to public perception and celebrity endorsements. (https://www.ndtv.com/sports/how-messis-wine-and-sprite-drink-reveal-sent-coca-cola-stocks-up-by-13-billion-in-3-days)
Sources:
* https://www.ndtv.com/world/you-tuber-creates-lab-cola-that-tastes-like-coca-cola-here-s-how-4739997
* https://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-history (For historical context on Pemberton’s formula)
* https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-secret-formula-for-coca-cola-180976843/ (For details on the original formula and Merchandise 7X)
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