For most of its history, The Coca‑Cola Company’s secret formula was locked away in a vault.

After Dr. John S. Pemberton invented Coca‑Cola in 1886, the formula was kept a close secret, shared only with a small group and not written down.

Coca-Cola, or 'coke', is one the most popular drinks in human history, with only water probably edging it out, just.

Currently, Cola-Cola sells 1.9 billion bottles of soda every day. This means 3.1% of all the beverages consumed around the world are Coca-Cola.

As the popularity of Coke grew, so did the myths and legends surrounding it. Here we take a look at a few of those as well as the history behind the infamous recipe.

Coca-Cola myths and legends:

Is the recipe really only known by two people?

The idea that the secret formula for Coca-Cola is only known by two people who are never allowed on the same flight - in case of a crash - is one of those pop culture staples people can’t help but spread, especially in today's world.

It’s perhaps not surprising that the spread of this idea has also been helped by various advertising campaigns done by Coca-Cola claiming just this. 

Due to the sheer volume of syrup being produced every day, with slightly differing ingredients in different parts of the world, it is fair to say it is definitely more than two in order to keep supplies flowing.

Cocaine in coke:

Some people are unsure if this was a fact or a myth, but this one is sort of in-between.

Coca-Cola never explicitly put pure cocaine into their drinks, but they did use significant amounts of coca leaf.

The recipe called for five ounces of coca leaf per gallon of syrup.

Each glass of Coca-Cola contained an estimated 9 milligrams of cocaine per glass. For perspective, an average “dose” of cocaine is about 50-75 milligrams.

Either way, it was removed in 1905 entirely.

Why is Coca-Cola better at Mcdonald's?

The best Guinness is from Ireland, and the best Coca-Cola is from McDonald’s - there is no argument here.

There are multiple reasons for this. First of all, Coke syrup is delivered to McDonald’s in stainless steel containers. The steel preserves the syrup better than plastic bags which are what other soda syrups are distributed in.

The syrup is kept circulating through chilled insulated tubes, while the carbonated water is kept between 33 to 38 degrees.

The ratio of chilled Coke syrup to carbonated water is based on how much ice melts in a drink over time, so no worries about your ice watering down your Coke.

On top of all of this, they have one of the best water filtrations systems out there. Pure water means pure Coca-Cola.

The history behind the Coca-Cola recipe:

In 1892, Asa Candler became the sole proprietor of Coca‑Cola after purchasing the rights to the business. 

In 1919, Ernest Woodruff and a group of investors purchased the company from Candler and his family.

To finance the purchase, Woodruff arranged a loan, using the secret formula as collateral. He asked Candler's son to write the formula down and placed the paper in a vault in the Guaranty Bank in New York until the loan was repaid in 1925.

At that point, Woodruff reclaimed the secret formula, returned it to Atlanta and placed it in Trust Company Bank, now SunTrust, where it remained for 86 years until its recent move to the World of Coca‑Cola.

The 'recipe' is now an exhibit at the World of Coca‑Cola in Atlanta. 

"This was the perfect culmination to our 125th-anniversary celebrations," said Muhtar Kent, former chairman and CEO of The Coca‑Cola Company.

"By sharing this secret formula experience with our consumers, we celebrate both the rich history of the brand's beginnings and the moments of refreshment and happiness to come for future generations.

"This is yet another way we are recognizing and thanking everyone around the world who has made the Coca‑Cola brand what it is today."