Character
The Story of Coca-Cola
A synthetic accord replicating the world's most iconic soft drink. Built from lime, cassia cinnamon, vanilla, and orange oils, with an effervescent lift that makes it instantly recognizable. The cola note captures something culturally universal.
Heritage
Coca-Cola arrived in 1886, invented by pharmacist John Pemberton in Atlanta. The original formula contained genuine coca leaf extract and kola nut for caffeine, both psychoactive ingredients. By 1903, the company switched to decocainized coca leaf after rising cocaine concerns. Today, only the Stepan Company in Maywood, New Jersey holds federal authorization to import and process coca leaves for Coca-Cola's use. The formula became a closely guarded trade secret when founder Asa Candler initiated the secrecy as a marketing strategy in 1891. In perfumery, the cola note appeared first in mainstream fragrances like Estee Lauder's Youth Dew, which unmistakably evokes the soft drink's aftertaste. Pierre Bourdon incorporated cola nuances into Dior's Dolce Vita. Today, playful and pop-culture fragrances routinely reference the note for its nostalgic, universally familiar character.
At a Glance
1
Feature this note
United States
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Synthetic accord
N/A - Constructed aromatic blend
Did You Know
"Perfumer Jean Claude Ellena recreates the cola scent using just four essences: vanillin, cinnamon, orange, and lime."