Was Florentine friars’ fatigue-fighting elixir a precursor to Coca-Cola?
An Italian friar discovered a 19th-century document in a Florence convent describing a restorative wine elixir made with coca leaves and kola nuts. The discovery has sparked speculation that this recipe may have served as an early inspiration for the formula used by John Pemberton to create Coca-Cola.
Why it matters
It highlights the historical intersection of medicinal tonics and the origins of global consumer brands, while shedding light on the 19th-century trade of coca leaves.
The elixir was promoted as a tonic to be used to recuperate the body and mind from fatigue. Composite: Supplied by Father Manuel Russo The elixir was promoted as a tonic to be used to recuperate the body and mind from fatigue. Composite: Supplied by Father Manuel Russo Italy Was Florentine friars’ fatigue-fighting elixir a precursor to Coca-Cola? Document believed to be from 19th century details recipe using Bolivian coca leaves, kola nuts and wine
Prefer the Guardian on Google An Italian friar has unearthed a document from the pharmacy archives of an ancient convent in Florence describing a medicinal potion made from Bolivian coca leaves and kola nuts, prompting suggestions it could have been a precursor to the famous US soft drink, Coca-Cola .
Father Manuel Russo, rector of the San Marco convent, said he stumbled across the yellowed document, a sort-of promotional flyer, while sorting out the archives.
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