427: Original Recipe
Summary
Ira Glass investigates the myth of Coca-Cola's secret formula, revealing a 1979 newspaper article that published a recipe matching one found in the company's own archives. The team attempts to recreate the drink using modern ingredients, finding it tastes distinct from today's Coke but surprisingly similar to historical descriptions. The episode also features Jake Halpern's story about John Resnikoff, a document dealer who authenticated a massive archive of JFK and Marilyn Monroe papers, only to later discover the collection was a sophisticated forgery that cost him his career.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Charles Schwab
Intro: The Coca-Cola formula mystery
The myth of the secret 7X formula
Discovery of the recipe in a pharmacist's book
Verifying the recipe against Coke archives
Sponsors: Capella University and AT&T
Reading the ingredients of the formula
History of coca leaf and decocanization
Sourcing ingredients and contacting soda experts
First taste test: Medicine-like flavor
Adjusting the recipe and second taste test
Blind taste tests with experts and the public
Coca-Cola archivist's reaction to the formula
Sponsors: Capella University and Squarespace
Act 2 Intro: The JFK document trove
John's expertise and meeting Lawrence Cusack
Unearthing the JFK and Monroe documents
Verification and selling the archive
ABC exposes the documents as forgeries
Legal trouble and Lex's confession
Secret recording and the truth about Lex
Aftermath and credits
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