3 Fascinating Facts About Coca-Cola

Facts about Coca-Cola? There’s nothing more iconic than this bubbly and delightfully tasty beverage. It sends us on a journey of hot summer days and memories of the past. And you cannot forget the feeling of taking that very first sip. Let’s face it: who doesn’t love an ice-cold Coca-Cola in a can, a glass bottle, or from the fountain at your favorite restaurant? Something about the bubbly fizz makes life seem so much simpler.

It has become a household name and has become a staple for many across the globe. The beverage’s popularity has continued to soar, with 126 different flavors today. The list is sure to grow, and this is not a surprise as the Coca-Cola Company has remained successful for over 135 years. Interestingly, it did not start as a soft drink. Please keep reading to discover how it became marketed as a beverage and other interesting facts about it.

Facts About Its Use As A Medicine

Before becoming a beverage, Coca-Cola was used as a tonic medication to treat headaches and body aches. This is similar to today’s modern pain relievers like Advil, Tylenol, and Aleve. However, it was not initially marketed for this when Georgia pharmacist John Pemberton introduced it in 1886, near the end of the 19th century.

So, what was it used for? Well, Pemberton had himself in mind when he concocted it as a medical elixir to cure his morphine addiction. The formula, dubbed “French Wine Cola,” was quite different from today’s, containing traces of alcohol, coca leaf extract, and kola nuts.

Henceforth, when the elixir failed to cure his addiction, it was then patented as a medication. In addition to treating headaches, it was also thought to treat exhaustion, nervous afflictions, curing addictions, and impotence. Did you know that this original formula also contained cocaine?

That’s right, it was not uncommon to find 3.5 milligrams of the drug inside the beverage. At the time, recreational drug use was considered perfectly legal. It also wasn’t unknown for people to dabble in regular use of cocaine. That is until 1903 when cocaine was considered ammo for fueling further addictions. This is one of the more interesting facts about the beverage.

The Country That Consumes The Most Coca-Cola Products

Speaking of world-renowned, which nation do you think has the highest consumption of Coca-Cola? If you guessed the United States, you’re wrong. Shockingly, it’s Mexico. Even though the beverage had been around for several years, it didn’t soar in popularity until the early 1970s.

The increase in popularity was partly due to a national ad campaign during the Mexico City Olympics and the World Cup in 1971. The soft drink also made its way to the political front in Mexico, gaining even more momentum when Vicente Fox became the company’s president. However, after meeting with political officials and becoming a prominent Mexican figure, he decided it was time to retire.

The soar of popularity continued, making Coca-Cola the most popular drink in Mexico. Coca-Cola was also considered cheaper and safer than Mexico’s heavily polluted drinking water. It is not uncommon to walk around Mexico City and find vending machines in every corner.

Another interesting fact about the beverage is that San Cristobal de las Casas, a town with a population of 186,000, drinks around 800 liters of Coca-Cola annually. Because of the excessive consumption of the drink, the city has declared a diabetes emergency. Additionally, there is an epidemic of obesity.

Coca-Cola Is A Top Market Competitor

In addition to being popular worldwide, the Coca-Cola brand is worth $74 billion. This year, the company was recognized as one of the top competitors, next to Monster Beverage Corporation and Apple, Inc. It is safe to say that the company has always been quite the competitor and will continue to be for years to come.

There is even a museum in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to the success John Pemberton began in 1886. This year alone, the museum raked in approximately 11.3 billion dollars, proving that the company will unequivocally continue to succeed. The museum houses more than 100 different flavors from around the world. There’s also a setup of the original Coca-Cola Bottling assembly line.

Speaking from someone who has been to the Coca-Cola Museum, it is the experience of a lifetime. Anyone who has a chance to visit should go. You are taken on a magnificent journey through time. Plus, what could be better than sampling 100 different Coca-Cola flavors? I’m not ashamed to admit that’s where I spent most of my time. Each drink station has facts labeled above it to educate you on the country it came from.

Moreover, visiting this museum will give you a sense of the company’s untouched success. So, the beverage industry will continue to test the waters in an ever-changing market. Perhaps this is why so many nations respect the company and continue to do business with it. Aren’t these facts interesting?

Conclusion

Let’s not forget where we were the first time we tasted Coca-Cola. The fact of the matter is the company is here to stay. Imagine how widely expanded it will be in as little as ten years. Even as successful as it is, it’s hard to fathom, right? Not to mention, the drink is iconic. As a result, Coca-Cola will continue making strides in countries like Mexico that do not have access to safe drinking water.

Furthermore, think about where you are located. Why do you think Coca-Cola has been largely successful in your area? Also, what is your favorite flavor, and how important is it to your daily life? Has it been a staple in your household, like in many others? The possibilities are undoubtedly endless, so let’s keep raising awareness of the success of Coca-Cola. The proof is in the facts.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Entertainment