While preparing this series on little-known plant-based flavors, a distant memory came back to me. I remember being completely surprised, years ago, to learn that cola wasn’t just a chemical flavor invented in a laboratory. Even though I don’t like Coke, it’s still amazing to discover that this indefinable taste comes from… a plant! Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola… The name is right there, in black and white: COLA. The kola nut, to be precise!
Sit back and relax with your favorite beverage (sparkling or still!), because we’re going on a journey: from West Africa to refrigerators around the world, via a small pharmacy in Atlanta.
The Forgotten African Nut
Trees of the Cola genus (acuminata and nitida being the two most commonly cultivated species) can grow to heights of 20 to 30 meters in the tropical forests of West Africa. Unfortunately, they won’t grow in your backyard in Canada! You could try growing one indoors in a pot, but the tree doesn’t produce fruit until it is 12-15 years old and must reach several meters in height before it can do so.
The tree produces fruits similar to large, stubby beans containing the famous kola nuts: pink, red, or white seeds resembling beans. They are said to have a bitter taste… which then makes sweet foods taste sweeter. A magic trick for your taste buds!
And why are we interested in them? Because they contain 1 to 2.8% caffeine, plus theobromine (as in chocolate, the cacao tree is in the same family as the cola tree, by the way). A little natural boost, African style!
A Sacred Seed
Among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, there is a proverb: “He who brings the kola nut brings life.”
Before ending up in a can, the kola nut already played a central role in West African cultures. And when I say central, I mean REALLY central. The presentation follows an elaborate protocol: the host presents the nuts, the elder offers prayers, then the nut is broken and distributed. The number of lobes even has meaning: four lobes = peace, five = prosperity, six = communion with ancestors. This tradition still exists today at weddings, funerals, and business negotiations. It is a plant of great cultural significance.
Don’t Forget the Coke in the Cola!
Important pause: the name “Coca-Cola” comes from TWO different plants!
COCA = Erythroxylum coca, a South American shrub whose leaves contain cocaine.
COLA = Cola acuminata, our African caffeine-containing nut.
At the end of the 19th century, both were used as stimulants. Cocaine, in small doses, combats fatigue and suppresses appetite—but it is highly addictive. However, that didn’t stop it from becoming THE trendy product of the 1860s! And I’m not talking about a soft drink here, but wine! Yes, yes, French Bordeaux infused with coca leaves!
In 1885, an Atlanta pharmacist named John Pemberton created a “tonic” inspired by this famous coca wine. His contribution? He added kola nuts! Coca leaves + kola nuts + wine = a remedy for headaches and exhaustion. This mixture sounds like a bad idea, but it was legal at the time! You didn’t even need a prescription!
In 1886, Atlanta banned alcohol. Pemberton reformulated the recipe: he removed the wine, kept the coca and kola, and added sparkling water, spices (vanilla, citrus, nutmeg, cinnamon), and lots of sugar. On May 8, 1886, Coca-Cola was born… and contained about 9 mg of cocaine per glass.
The name? “Coca” + “Cola.” Simple and catchy!
Pemberton sold an average of 9 glasses a day in the first year. He died in 1888 without seeing the success that was to come.
The Genius of Marketing
Asa Candler bought the rights around 1890. And then… marketing genius! In 1891, he invested $11,000 in advertising—an astronomical sum when the average merchant spent less than $100 per year! He distributed coupons for free drinks (revolutionary!), created thousands of calendars, flooded the country with trays, clocks, fans… Even I remember having one of those vintage trays when I was young. The average American saw the logo 12 times a day in 1895.
In 1900, 97% of Atlanta residents recognized the logo instantly. Without TV or the internet! That’s how you go from 9 glasses to a global empire that sells 1.9 billion every day.
The Plants That Disappeared From the Bottle
First, cocaine. In 1903, in response to concerns, Coca-Cola removed fresh coca leaves and used so-called “spent” leaves—the remains after extraction—containing only traces of cocaine. The process was then perfected, and from 1929 onwards, Coca-Cola used a decocainized coca extract. The extracted cocaine went to pharmaceutical companies.
Then came the kola nut. The modern formula no longer contains any actual kola nut extract. Tests have failed to detect the characteristic proteins. The same is true for Pepsi and all the other major brands.
What happened? Around the middle of the 20th century, synthetic caffeine became available and much cheaper. A silent replacement. The “cola” flavor? Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, citrus… But no kola!
Holiday Myth: Coca-Cola and Santa Claus
Since we’re on the subject of the holiday season, I can’t ignore a very common myth… NO, Coca-Cola did NOT invent Santa Claus!
The facts:
- 1822: “Twas the Night Before Christmas” already describes a chubby, jolly Santa Claus.
- 1860–1866: Thomas Nast (a cartoonist) establishes his physical appearance: white beard, red coat…
Make Your Own Homemade Cola
If you want to try cola made with real kola nuts, make it at home! You can buy the nuts online, just like any other spice. (Not coca leaves, though… for obvious reasons!)
I’m not a fan of this flavor, but it’s a perfect project for the holidays!
Basic syrup:
- 1 cup white sugar + ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 2 teaspoons coriander + ½ teaspoon nutmeg + 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger + 2 teaspoons kola nut powder (optional!)
- Zest and juice of 2 oranges, 1 lemon, 1 lime + ½ teaspoon vanilla + ½ teaspoon citric acid
Method:
Simmer the sugar, water, spices, ginger, and kola nuts for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then add the citrus fruits, vanilla, and citric acid. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, then strain.
When ready to serve, mix 1 part syrup with 1-2 parts sparkling water.
Honestly? It’s delicious, even without the kola nuts. The cola flavor comes mainly from the mixture of spices and citrus fruits. With a pretty ribbon, it makes a lovely homemade Christmas gift!
A Thought-Provoking Story
Kola nuts continue to be grown in Africa, and the Igbo people still crack open their nuts in search of blessings, century after century. And us? We consume 1.9 billion servings of Coca-Cola without kola every day, unaware that there is a whole botanical history behind this familiar taste… A history that is not really that old, in fact!
It’s magical to discover that what we thought was an artificial flavor actually hides the history of one (two!) plant(s), a rich culture, ancient traditions… While working on my holiday series, I often discover beautiful anecdotes that anchor me in the present, giving me new perspectives on the past. I hope that these discoveries, these true stories that forge an additional link between plants and humans, touch you, or at least interest you as much as they interest me.
See you next week for a MUST-TRY holiday flavor and texture! Until then, may your discoveries be sparkling!
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It seems almost all the ingredients (flavours) are plant based! Thanks for an interesting read.
A good read, thanks!
A very interesting read!
Fascinating!!!