# Dr. Pepper **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 4, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648 "2003-06-04T17:20:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/1 "2003-06-04T17:20:50Z")
we all know the cola flavor comes mainly from a plant (kola beans, i think?); but where does the “dr. pepper” flavor come from? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/2 "2003-06-04T17:38:21Z")
[The Master’s Minion speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdrpepper.html). ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/3 "2003-06-04T18:12:44Z")
Thanks **pravnik** for posting that link and getting the Straight Dope on Dr Pepper out. I swear if hear “prunes” one more time (sits in corner, knowing somebody will post “prunes!”) I’ll, I’ll, I’ll probabaly not do much but :rolleyes: and keep on drinking Dr Pepper. The only soft drink Duke drinks. ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/4 "2003-06-04T18:22:12Z")
I like my Dr. Pepper’s in the form of a Beer with a shot of Amaretto dropped in… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/5 "2003-06-04T18:29:04Z")
It’s clearly an amaretto flavor (I consume gallons of the stuff). Hence, probably comes from almonds or cherries (similar flavor–which is whay so many people say that DrP and Cherry Coke taste identical). ---
**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/6 "2003-06-04T19:16:46Z")
cecil’s article just said it doesn’t contain anything related to cherries. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/7 "2003-06-04T19:40:08Z")
And artificial cherry flavor does not, indeed, have anything to do with cherries. IIRC, what most people consider to be a “cherry” flavor is actually derived from pomegranets. But while we’re on the subject, what’s the general term for a Dr Pepper-type soft drink? Coke, Pepsi, and RC are colas. Sprite and 7up are lemon-lime drinks. A&W and Barq’s are root beers. But what are Dr Pepper, Mr Pibb, and the various generic imitations? ---
**Author:** ![scratch1300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@scratch1300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scratch1300)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/8 "2003-06-04T19:49:37Z")
Actually, colas don’t have much kola. “[M]ost consumers will be disappointed to know that very little of this exotic nut is found in today’s cola drinks. In fact, what is generally perceived as cola flavor is really a mixture of vanilla, caramel, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.” From [this site.](http://www.netasia.net/users/truehealth/Soft%20Drinks.htm) ---
**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/9 "2003-06-04T21:55:51Z")
Does anyone else get a sense of euphoria after drinking Dr Pepper? No other soda does this for me… ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/10 "2003-06-04T23:03:13Z")
What I want to know is who came up with the idea to put phosphoric acid in soft drinks? ---
**Author:** ![gypsymoth3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@gypsymoth3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsymoth3)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/11 "2003-06-05T01:35:06Z")
umm… what IS phosphoric acid? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/12 "2003-06-05T02:23:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gypsymoth3 \* > \*\*umm… what IS phosphoric acid? \*\* Well, for one thing, [_RUST REMOVER!!!_](http://www.stearnspkg.com/htmls/janitorial/calcium_lime_rust.htm) :eek: ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/13 "2003-06-05T06:10:57Z")
Phosphoric acid = H3PO4 ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/14 "2003-06-05T07:20:51Z")
[http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v38aje10.htm](http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v38aje10.htm) ```auto PHOSPHORIC ACID CHEMICAL NAMES Phosphoric acid; orthophosphoric acid EMPIRICAL FORMULA H3PO4 MOLECULAR WEIGHT 98.0 DEFINITION Phosphoric acid contains not less than 85% of H3PO4 DESCRIPTION Clear, colourless, odourless liquid of syrupy consistency. Miscible with water and ethanol. NATURAL OCCURRENCE Phosphorus-containing substances occur very widely in natural foods usually as free phosphoric acid or as the potassium, sodium or calcium salts. Phosphate is found in highest concentrations (0.1-0.5% or more, in terms of phosphorus) in such foods as milk, cheese, nuts, fish, meat, poultry, eggs (yolk), and certain cereals. USE As a sequestrant, an antioxidant and a "synergist" for other antioxidants; also as an acidulant and flavour in beverages and fruit products. Biological Data Biochemical aspects Phosphoric acid is an essential constituent of the human organism, not only in the bones and teeth, but also in many enzyme systems. Phosphorus plays an important role in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. The daily intake of phosphate necessary for man lies between 1 and 2 g. Insufficient supply of phosphate produces deficiency in the bones. Since the phosphate concentration of serum and tissues is maintained by physiological regulations, the intestinal absorption depends on requirements and is therefore limited. Doses of 2 to 4 g act as weak saline cathartics. Excretion takes place mainly in the faeces as calcium phosphate, so that the continuous use of excessive amounts of sodium phosphate and phosphoric acid may cause a loss of calcium. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/15 "2003-06-05T11:32:42Z")
Couldn’t someone take it to a chem lab and have it analysed? ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/16 "2003-06-05T11:40:10Z")
Ah Dr. Pepper, so misunderstood… ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/17 "2003-06-05T12:13:27Z")
Just released, available on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), the autobiography you’ve all been waiting for: **They Call Me MISTER Pepper**! Yes, the famous soft drink Dr Pepper (note the lack of a period; he’s male!) has scribed a sure-to-be-legendary story of greed, lust, and the misuse of honorifics. Engrossing and challenging, **MISTER Pepper** is (pardon the expression) peppered with anecdotes that take the reader behind the sometimes seedy world of nonalcoholic beverages. The New York Times Book Review called it “zesty… and full of carbonation!” and Booklist has named it as one of its Top 10 Books about Drinks. A must-read. ---
**Author:** ![Penumbra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9f8e36/32.png) [@Penumbra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penumbra)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/18 "2003-06-05T13:15:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Does anyone else get a sense of euphoria after drinking Dr Pepper? No other soda does this for me… I notice this as well. While at work I occasionally sip on a Dr Pepper during break and when I return to my slave job I feel a new sence of well being and happiness for my mundain life. Thank you Dr Pepper for making me feel as if I’m a character in a political tragedy novel. (1984, This Perfect Day, Brave New World, Dale from King of the Hill, etc…) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/19 "2003-06-05T13:21:57Z")
From Cecil’s column: > [@](#): > > If you hold some Dr Pepper in your mouth a few minutes before swallowing, there is a slight yogurt like note. Gah. Geesh. Ick. Bleh. How do people learn things like that? “Hmm, I’m bored today. I think I’ll take a mouthful of Dr Pepper and see how the flavor changes over, say, ten minutes.” ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648/20 "2003-06-05T13:36:06Z")
Anybody remember the Dr Pepper ads where the wanted you to drink it hot?? Anybody ever actually try it?? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-pepper/179648.md?page=2)