Cola is acarbonatedsoft drink flavored withvanilla,cinnamon,citrusoils, and other flavorings. The name, however, comes from thekola nut (Cola acuminata), which imbues the beverage withcaffeine (though other sources of caffeine are generally used in modern formulations). A stimulating soda using kola appeared circa 1880.
The primary modern flavorings in a cola drink arecitrusoils (fromorange,lime, andlemonpeels),cinnamon,vanilla, and anacidic flavoring.[8][9] The Coca-Cola syrup was originally manufactured at Joseph J. Jacobs's pharmacy, making it the company's second home.[10] Manufacturers of cola drinks add trace flavorings to create distinctive tastes for each brand. Trace flavorings may include a wide variety of ingredients, such as spices likenutmeg orcoriander. Acidity is often provided byphosphoric acid, sometimes accompanied bycitric or other isolated acids.Coca-Cola's recipe is maintained as a corporatetrade secret.
A variety of different sweeteners may be used in cola, often influenced by local agricultural policy.High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is predominantly used in the United States due to the lower cost of government-subsidizedcorn. In Europe, however, HFCS is subject to production quotas designed to encourage the production of sugar; sugar is thus preferentially used to sweeten sodas.[11] In addition,stevia or anartificial sweetener may be used; "sugar-free" or "diet" colas typically contain artificial sweeteners only.
In Japan, there is a burgeoning craft cola industry, with small-scale local production methods and cola recipes using locally sourced fruits, herbs, and spices.[12]
Clear colas were again produced during the clear craze of the early 1990s. Brands includedCrystal Pepsi,Tab Clear, and7 Up Ice Cola. Crystal Pepsi was repeatedly reintroduced in the 2010s.
InDenmark, a popular clear cola was made by theCooperativeFDB in 1976. It was especially known for being the "Hippie Cola" because of the focus on the harmful effects thecolor additive could have on children and the boycott of multinational brands. It was inspired by a campaign on harmful additives in Denmark by the Environmental-Organization NOAH, an independent Danish division ofFriends of the Earth. This was followed up with a variety of sodas without artificial coloring.[15] Today many organic colas are available in Denmark, but, for nostalgic reasons, clear cola has still maintained its popularity to a certain degree.[16]
A 2007 study claimed that consumption of colas, both those with natural sweetening and those with artificial sweetening, was associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Thephosphoric acid used in colas was thought to be a possible cause.[20] A link has been shown between long-term regular cola intake andosteoporosis in older women (but not men). This was thought to be due to the presence of phosphoric acid, though the risk for women was found to be greater for sugared and caffeinated colas than diet and decaffeinated variants, with a higher intake of cola correlating with lower bone density.[21] Substituting soft drinks for milk may impact adolescent bone development, increasing the risk of fracture.
A 2005 study indicated that soda and sweetened drinks are the main source of calories in the American diet and that of those who drink more sweetened drinks, obesity rates were higher.[22] Most[how?] nutritionists advise that Coca-Cola and other soft drinks can be harmful if consumed excessively, particularly to young children whose soft drink consumption competes with, rather than complements, a balanced diet. Studies have shown that regular soft drink users have a lower intake ofcalcium,magnesium,vitamin C,riboflavin, andvitamin A.[23]
Many soft drinks in North America are sweetened mostly or entirely withhigh-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), rather thanwhite sugar. Some nutritionists caution against the consumption ofcorn syrup because it may aggravateobesity andtype-2 diabetes more than cane sugar.[26] As of 2022[update], there is no high-quality evidence that replacing cane sugar (sucrose) with HFCS causes any difference in health effects.[27]
Fritz-Kola, a cola soft drink fromHamburg, Germany, uses the highest possible concentration of caffeine for beverages allowed by German law.[clarification needed]
Green Cola is a brand fromGreece that is available also in Germany, Spain, Cyprus, the Baltic states, Romania, the Middle East, Slovenia, etc.
Hofmuhl Cola is a local brand from Bavaria, made by a regional brewery.[35]
Jolly Cola, which had a 40% share of the cola drink market inDenmark from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s.[36]
Kofola is the primary rival to Coca-Cola and Pepsi in theCzech Republic andSlovakia, and does not contain phosphoric acid.
Kristal Kola is a local brand in Turkey.
Palestine Cola, a Swedish cola brand created in 2024 as an alternative to Israeli-associated cola brands. Sold in most of Europe.
Coca-Cola, often referred to simply as Coke, is produced and manufactured byThe Coca-Cola Company. It is one of the most popular cola brands in North America and worldwide, as well as being the original cola.
Pepsi, produced and manufactured byPepsiCo, is also one of the most popular cola brands in North America and worldwide. Pepsi is the main competitor and rival of Coca-Cola.
Kola Román, a cola that was invented in the city of Cartagena, Colombia in 1865 by Don Carlos Román.
Dolly Cola, Brazilian soft drink brand known for being a direct competitor to Coca-Cola. Although best known for its guarana flavor, the brand also sells the cola flavor.
Casa di Conti, inCândido Mota, SP, Brazil, produces its own brand of cola under the name Conti Cola.[40][41]
Export Cola was an Australian carbonated cola drink Manufactured by Cadbury Schweppes (nowCadbury plc)[43] during the 1970s and early 1980s. A series of TV advertisements for the drink featured the Australian cricketerJeff Thomson. It enjoyed a brief resurgence in popularity when it was re-launched in 1993, but the drink was discontinued in 1999.
LOCKWOODS Cola,[44][45] a British brand introduced in the 1960s produced byLockwoods Foods Limited at their canning factory site inLong Sutton, England, the drink is not on the market anymore, it was sold nationally and alsoexported.
Maxi-Cola was sold byMac's Brewery in England as a rival to Coke and Pepsi. Production ended in the early 90s.
^M. Ataman Aksoy; John C. Beghin, eds. (2005). "Sugar Policies: An Opportunity for Change".Global Agricultural Trade and Developing Countries. World Bank Publications. p. 329.ISBN0-8213-5863-4.
^"Sortiment".Privatbrauerei Hofmühl (in German).Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved2021-04-05.
^Sørensen, Nils Arne; Petersen, Klaus (November 2012). "Corporate Capitalism or Coca-Colonisation? Economic Interests, Cultural Concerns, Tax Policies and Coca-Cola in Denmark from 1945 to the Early 1960s".Contemporary European History.21 (4):597–617.doi:10.1017/S0960777312000392.ISSN0960-7773.S2CID163347256.
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