Which Came First: Coke or Pepsi?
The debate over which cola beverage was created first has been around for decades. Two iconic brands, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have both claimed to be the “original” cola, with each offering evidence to support their claims. This article aims to explore the origins, founding stories, evolution, taste, marketing strategies, and cultural impact of Coke and Pepsi to determine which came first.
Origins of Coke and Pepsi
Coca-Cola was created in 1886 by pharmacist John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. Initially marketed as a medicine, Coca-Cola’s secret formula contained coca leaves (a source of cocaine) and kola nuts (a source of caffeine). Over time, the formula evolved to exclude cocaine and include more caffeine, sugar, and other flavorings.
Meanwhile, Pepsi was created in 1893 by Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist from New Bern, North Carolina. Originally marketed as Brad’s drink, Pepsi contained pepsin (a digestive enzyme) and cola nuts and was said to aid digestion. In 1898, Bradham trademarked the name Pepsi-Cola, and the company has been known as Pepsi ever since.
While Coca-Cola was created first, Pepsi was not far behind. The difference in origin stories amounts to a few years, but the origins of each company’s cola recipe were unique.
Founding Stories
Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have unique founding stories that make it challenging to say which cola came first. Coca-Cola is famous for the Pemberton family’s secret formula, which remained hidden until the 1970s. In contrast, Pepsi’s recipe has always been public knowledge—Bradham openly sold his Pepsi formula to other pharmacists in the early 1900s.
Bradham claimed that he created Pepsi-Cola as a digestive aid, whereas Pemberton developed Coca-Cola as a medicine intended to cure various ailments, including headaches, fatigue, and dyspepsia. Because of the secrecy surrounding Coca-Cola’s formula and the similarities between the two drinks’ origins, it is challenging to say which came first definitively.
Evolution of the Cola Industry
Since their inceptions, Coca-Cola and Pepsi have evolved significantly, with each impacting the other’s branding and innovations. In the early days, Coca-Cola was the clear leader in the cola industry, with Pepsi following closely behind. However, over the years, Pepsi began to challenge Coca-Cola’s dominance through innovative marketing strategies and celebrity endorsements.
In 1985, Pepsi launched the “New Generation” campaign featuring Michael Jackson, which targeted youth culture and helped establish Pepsi as the “cool” cola. In response, Coca-Cola released “New Coke,” which was meant to taste like Pepsi but ended up being a flop and was rebranded back to its original formula.
Coca-Cola continued to dominate the cola industry throughout the 1990s and early 2000s until Pepsi launched the “Pepsi Challenge” campaign. The campaign featured a blind taste test wherein people were asked to choose between Coke and Pepsi, and Pepsi usually came out on top. The campaign helped establish Pepsi as a legitimate rival to Coca-Cola and changed the cola industry forever.
Taste Test
A blind taste test was conducted to compare the taste, texture, and aroma of Coke and Pepsi. The results of the test were very close, with participants unable to correctly identify the soda they were tasting. People seemed to prefer Coke’s sweetness, while others preferred Pepsi’s slightly more acidic flavor. It ultimately comes down to personal taste.
Marketing and Advertising Strategies
Coca-Cola and Pepsi have both utilized their histories and origins to build their brand identities. Coca-Cola has been known as “The Real Thing” and has played on its status as the original cola. Meanwhile, Pepsi has positioned itself as the “new generation” cola, using celebrity endorsements to appeal to younger audiences.
Both companies have launched iconic marketing campaigns throughout the years. Coca-Cola is famous for its Christmas advertisements, which have become a symbol of the holiday season. Similarly, Pepsi has launched numerous celebrity-driven ad campaigns, including those featuring Britney Spears, Beyonce, and most recently, Cardi B.
Cultural and Societal Impact
Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have had significant cultural and societal impact since their inceptions. Coca-Cola has often been associated with American culture and is viewed as a symbol of the country worldwide. Meanwhile, Pepsi has been associated with youthful culture and is often thought of as a more modern, trendy cola.
Both brands have also been associated with controversial events. For example, Pepsi received backlash for a 2017 commercial featuring Kendall Jenner that was criticized for trivializing the Black Lives Matter movement. Similarly, Coca-Cola was criticized for a 2014 Super Bowl commercial featuring America the Beautiful sung in multiple languages, which received backlash from people who thought the song should have been in English only.
Conclusion
The debate over which cola came first will likely never have a satisfying answer. While Coca-Cola was created first, Pepsi quickly followed, with a unique recipe and marketing strategy. Both companies have had a significant cultural impact and have forced each other to innovate, resulting in a constantly evolving industry. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference—the taste, texture, and aroma of both Coca-Cola and Pepsi are unique, making it difficult to choose one over the other.