Man may have found The Original secret Coca-Cola recipe, puts on eBay for $15m... See Photo

A Georgia man, Cliff Kluge, who buys and sells antiques believes he may have stumbled on what is probably the most sought-after commercial recipe in the world, the secret formula to Coca-Cola, and he is trying to sell it on eBay for $15 million.

According to WTSP, Kluge, from Ringgold in northern Georgia, claims he found the 1943 formula in an old box of personal documents and letters he and his wife, Arlene, purchased during a "treasure hunt" at a famous Georgia chemist's estate auction. Kluge speculates that Coca-Cola sent the list to the chemist due to scarcity of ingredients during the war. The authentic recipe to Coca-Cola has been held in a safe at the World of Coca-Cola Museum for many years. If Kluge's formula is a copy of the formula jealously guarded at the World of Coca-Cola Museum, then, the more than century-old secret has been revealed and anyone may fix himself a drink of Coke at home. Although, Kluge has declined to reveal the formula, the recipe is very similar to another version of the "original formula" for Coca-Cola published online in 2011 by NPR's This American Life radio program. The recipe attracted so much attention that NPR's website crashed from the traffic it generated. According to The Huffington Post, Kluge is convinced that the recipe is authentic because of "clues" within the paper, including a reference to "Coke." Although Kluge doubts that he will get $15 million for the formula, he said he is convinced that it is worth, at least, a few hundred thousand dollars. WTSP reports he said: "You don't stumble on things like this very often. It's a letter, and a formula, and the processes to make it. I think it's a little deeper than having fun; I think it's the recipe for Coca-Cola." He said Coca-Cola officials have not confirmed the formula: "They told me they'd call me back in 7-10 business days. Well, they haven't contacted me back

 

WTSP, however, contacted the company. It responded with a statement: "Through the years, many have tried to crack the secret formula, but no one has been able to reproduce the 'real thing.' The real formula is safely tucked away in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta." Ted Ryan, the archivist and historian for Coca-Cola, said he believes tthe recipe is for a "cola-type drink" and not Coca-Cola. He said: "This particular formula is one of dozens that have popped up over the years trying to emulate the flavor of Coca-Cola." But Coca-Cola's denial has not stopped Kluge from putting the recipe on eBay. He initially asked for $5 million then increased it to $15 million. He said: "I put it down for an initial bid of $5 million and a 'Buy It Now' bid of 15 million," but no one has made an offer. Kluge claims he is more concerned about the excitement of having found a real treasure. He said: "It's just excitement. It's an Easter egg hunt, looking for eggs out there. And when you come up with something like this, it's Christmas." John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, invented and began selling Coca-Cola in his shop in 1886. He dispensed the drink in soda fountains for customers. Asa Griggs Candler bought the business in the 1890s. He began promoting the product heavily travelling around the US doing publicity. Coca-Cola appeared in a bottle for the first time in 1894. Pemberton's original formula became a closely guarded secret. It has generated a lot of curiosity and speculations due to its commercial success. Coca-Cola insists that the only authentic formula remains locked away in a vault at the World of Coca-Coca Museum in Atlanta.