# What's the big secret with Coke?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 25, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797 "2003-01-25T03:10:47Z")
**Posts on this page:** 17
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Nanu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanu)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/1 "2003-01-25T03:10:47Z")
The other day I saw a show that said the that the formula for Cocacola was one of the best kept secrets in the world. The show said thet this formula was not patented, rather kept secret so that no one could replicate it.
How the hec do you keep something such as the formula for Cocacola secret??? There must be hundreds of factory workers that know how to make coke, or else how do they do it? How come Pepsi or some other compeditor has never gotten their hands on this formula?
How smart is it realy to keep somthing secret instead of patenting it and are there other companies that do the same?
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### Author:  [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/2 "2003-01-25T03:18:45Z")
Coke’s formula is a “trade secret”. There’s an explanation of the difference between patents and trade secrets [here.](http://www.howstuffworks.com/question625.htm)
> [@](#):
>
> Trade secrets are very different from patents, copyrights and trademarks. While patents and copyrights require you to disclose your information in the application process (information that eventually becomes public), trade secrets require you to actively keep the information secret. Trade-secret protection can potentially last longer than that of patents (20 years) and copyrights (100 years). [more]
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/3 "2003-01-25T03:19:17Z")
Check out [this article on Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp). The short answer is that the formula isn’t really a big secret, and it’s more of a publicity stunt:
> [@](#):
>
> …other than for the publicity value, there’s no need to go to any lengths to keep the Coke recipe secret. Anyone who could reproduce the drink couldn’t market the product as Coca-Cola, and without that brand name the beverage would be close to worthless.
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### Author:  [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/4 "2003-01-25T03:19:20Z")
There are not really any huge secrets about Coca-Cola. The precise details (proportions, processes) of the recipe are secret, but there’s little question on the nature of the primary ingredients. William Poundstone’s _Big Secrets_ has a fairly concise discussion of this …
PepsiCo could no doubt make a virtual Coke clone-but they’ve wisely decided to make a slightly different product and carve out their own niche.
CCC keeps the details secret by comparmentalizing information, just like an intelligence agency. Lots of people know one part or another of the process, but only a few key executives and food scientists know the whole thing. And they all have a hollow tooth with a cyanide capsule, in case they’re ever captured. Er, no, that’s just the intelligence agents. My mistake.
(Citrus oils, vanilla, and cinnamon oil, for the curious, are the primary flavorings in Coke. And sugar, of course. Piles and piles of sugar. Or high fructose corn syrup these days …)
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### Author:  [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/5 "2003-01-25T03:20:35Z")
Jinx!
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/6 "2003-01-25T09:15:23Z")
Maybe it isn’t quite as easy to replicate as one may think.
I recall before the Wall went down in Berlin, East Germany had a cola that was almost undrinkable.
There is still something called, “Afri-Cola” sold in Germany that is obviously a very bad attempt at copying the original.
Proof of that comes when you get a coke and have to tell the people behind the counter that either the syrup is low, or the carbonation is off. You know what “the real thing” tastes like.
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### Author:  [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/7 "2003-01-25T11:04:36Z")
Along the same lines: Is it true that **no one** has ever seen the entire source code to MS Windows?
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### Author:  [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/8 "2003-01-25T12:08:51Z")
I would imagine so. The source to Windows is enourmous.
I bet I couldn’t even fit it all on my 19-inch screen. 😛
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### Author:  [@orange\_fudge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orange_fudge)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/9 "2003-01-25T12:41:32Z")
Apparently, Microsoft has given the Windows source code to various world governments…US, UK, Russia…
[http://news.com.com/2100-1001-981298.html](http://news.com.com/2100-1001-981298.html)
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### Author:  [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/10 "2003-01-25T13:07:53Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by orange|fudge \*
> \*\*Apparently, Microsoft has given the Windows source code to various world governments…US, UK, Russia…
>
> [http://news.com.com/2100-1001-981298.html](http://news.com.com/2100-1001-981298.html) \*\*
However, who knows if the binaries distributed on the installation CD’s are the same as the source code given to governments. Obviously, if Windows does have a backdoor for NSA (and I’m sure it does, even if the NSAKEY thing was a false alarm), then the source code given to foreign governments would not include such a thing. They would think they’re safe, but unless they’re installing Windows everywhere from source, the backdoor could come off of the CD binary.
UnuMondo
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### Author:  [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/11 "2003-01-26T01:28:07Z")
Me thinks that someone spilled a Coke on thier keyboard, 'cause this discussion went off track…
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### Author:  [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/12 "2003-01-26T01:30:25Z")
I know, I know…SPELLCHECK!
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### Author:  [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/13 "2003-01-26T02:45:52Z")
i think that it is easily duplicable, but not overly easy. in my economics class, we did a blind (perhaps double blind…can’t remember for sure) study. the big three, coke, pepsi and rc, all were mistaken one for the other. but, none of the “lesser” brands, store house brands, e.g, braums, shasta, best buy, were mistaken for the big three. fwiw
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/14 "2003-01-26T05:22:37Z")
To find out Coke’s recipe, could you take it to a lab and have it analysed?
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/15 "2003-01-26T06:00:57Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \*
> \*\*To find out Coke’s recipe, could you take it to a lab and have it analysed? \*\*
Well, you can just look at the side of the can if you want to know what’s in it. As I understand it, the formula isn’t just ingredients and their relative proportions – it’s also _when_ each ingredient is added to the mix and in what manner.
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### Author:  [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/16 "2003-01-26T06:19:09Z")
I made a big ass post to this thread yesterday that got eaten by the server going down… so I’ll sum it up.
1. The Snopes article on this _and_ on New Coke will be of interest to you.
2. Name recognition is what makes Coke _Coke._ Diet Coke was a success with a different taste that many people prefer. Taste tests shows New Coke being better. But people rioted when Coke vanished.
3. It is similar to re-branding a car and adding more luxary options, like Lexus.
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### Author:  [@TBone2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBone2)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2003, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-secret-with-coke/150797/17 "2003-01-26T07:10:05Z")
Interesting program on the History Channel not too long ago on just this subject – the formulation of Coke. Sugar, yeah! LOTS of sugar! I liked the part that talked about Coke’s blown opportunity to actually BUY Pepsi, lock, stock and barrel!
IMHO, the guy (gal) who thought up the “New Coke” idea should be rich. The public outcry over the reformulation generated exposure (pronounced “free advertising”) the likes of which I’ve never seen duplicated in my lifetime. How long did CCC get by selling both the “New” and the “Classic?”
At least they don’t have to color it blue to sell it…