Coke Vs. Pepsi Facts

Coke and Pepsi are the two leading brands of beverages that may be classified as soda, pop or soft drinks. Coke's original name was Coca-Cola and Pepsi's was Pepsi-Cola.

Coke and Pepsi were both created before 1900. Coke was invented in Atlanta by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886. Pepsi also was created by a pharmacist–Caleb Bradham from New Bern, North Carolina, in 1898.

The original ingredients of Coca-Cola were intended to have health benefits and be refreshing. Coca-Cola contained coca leaves and kola nuts, known to promote energy. Coca leaves, from which cocaine derives, was a primary ingredient, but were fully removed from the formula by 1929.

Pepsi-Cola was originally coined “Brad’s Drink” in honor of its creator. The premise of the original formula is the ingredients emulated Pepsin, and digestion aid. It did not contain kola nut.

Coca-Cola originally cost 5 cents a glass. An Atlanta businessman secured the rights to the product by 1891. It was first bottled in a plant in 1894.

Pepsi-Cola bottling started out in Bradham’s pharmacy basement. The company was incorporated in 1905 and the name trademarked in 1906. A bottling plant was established in 1908.

Over the years, both companies have seen worldwide expansion of their markets, which include varying lines of beverages, apparel and paraphernalia with their respective logos. Both have grown into longstanding global industry leaders.