Former Coca-Cola Israel CEO Reveals Secret Formula and History on Instagram
Former Coca-Cola Israel CEO Tal Raban revealed secrets about the famous beverage's formula on Instagram, discussing Merchandise 7X, essential oils, and the history of cocaine in the original 1886 recipe.
Former Coca-Cola Israel CEO Tal Raban shared a behind-the-scenes look at the world's most famous beverage on his Instagram account, revealing secrets about the brand's closely guarded formula.
Raban, who held numerous senior management roles in the Central Bottling Company group and later served as CEO of Tara Dairies and Kimberly-Clark Israel, decided to share what lies behind the strict secrecy of the brand. "As a former Coca-Cola CEO, I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I'm going to reveal the secret formula to you," Raban opened the video.
The Secret Formula and Ingredients
Raban referred to the mixture known in the industry as Merchandise 7X, explaining that it constitutes less than 1% of the drink. According to him, the unique taste and aroma come from essential oils, including orange, lemon, and cinnamon. Similar components appear in versions of the recipe that have leaked over the years, though Coca-Cola has never confirmed them.
Raban also noted that only a limited number of factories in the world are authorized to produce the extract, and the plant supplying the Israeli market is located in Ireland. Coca-Cola operates a large extract plant in Ballina, western Ireland, supplying bottling companies across four continents.
"As a former Coca-Cola CEO, I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I'm going to reveal the secret formula to you."
The Cocaine Myth and History
One of the most intriguing questions in Coca-Cola's history is whether the original drink contained cocaine. Raban addressed this directly, confirming: "The answer is yes, it did. In 1886, when Pemberton invented Coca-Cola, there was a small amount of cocaine in it." However, he clarified unequivocally that there is no cause for concern today: "Since 1929 they took everything out, and there is no cocaine in the drink anymore."
Pharmacist John Pemberton invented the drink in Atlanta as a stimulating tonic based on coca leaves and cola nuts. In 1903, the company stopped using fresh leaves and switched to decocainized leaves. By 1929, the production process was refined, and the drink was completely clean.
To conclude, Raban offered a simple home trick to mimic the drink's aroma: "If you take a piece of lemon and sprinkle a little cinnamon on it, you will find that this taste is very similar to the taste of Coca-Cola."
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