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That's because pepsi already had coca-cola's secret recipe. I'm sure if they didn't have it already they would have been more than happy to at least have some knowledge before reporting it, but not like they didn't have the talent, money or technology to reverse engineer it at least a decade ago at that point.


No, it's because Pepsi isn't trying to be Coke, they're trying to be better than Coke. So having the recipe is kind of moot.

Even if they were to take the recipe and publish it for all to see, you would still need all of the other machinery that is Coca-Cola to make Coca-Cola.

And then you have issues of quality. Coca-Cola has certain standards, it's not a guarantee that everyone else will have those same standards. Like, people buy the expensive brand of milk despite all milk being the same. It's one ingredient. With quality standards given by the government. There is really no room for interpretation.


Is this an AI response? coca-cola was replicated by one guy and confirmed in blind taste test by several other people, no magical machinery needed to make it once you know the ingredients.

What about quality? That has nothing to do with it.

Of course they're trying to be the better coke, that's why they tried making coke with the same color with more sugar and made the flavors stronger.


Coca-Cola is the only company that can legally import and process raw coca leaves into a flavoring agent. It’s literally impossible to duplicate their exact recipe.


If you live in the US sure. I live in a Latin American country where it’s legal to buy coca leaves (cocaine is illegal obviously, but the leaves aren’t and are commonly sold in health food stores of all places for tea).


Stepan Company, actually. But you’re right that Coca-Cola is the exclusive buyer.


where did you find that? (super interesting)



oh cool...thanks


The Acquired episode on coca cola


oh cool...just learned something, not kidding -> thanks.


The “machinery” being the marketing, distribution, and general scale, not the physical vats used to mix it.

Even if you could replicate the exact flavor, you’d still need to do it at scale and get it into stores and convince people to buy it.

As to “just make it yourself”, everyone can make a sandwich, Jersey Mike’s and several other sandwich shops exist successfully.


I don't know if you have seen it, but the recipe is 1:1 of what cocacola is, scientifically proven. (Altho it tastes closer to original cola since replicating coca 1:1 is impossible)


Are you actually reading my responses?

I’m saying the formula is immaterial. It’s also about being able to produce at scale, market, and distribute.


So how come mango flavoured Pepsi is nowhere to be found? They get you hooked on a good flavour, and then, bam, they take it away.




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