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.