After the fourth mixer crashed, they realized it was time to seek help. A mass e-mail to the Cube's mailing list uncovered Peter Baron, an expert in food emulsification. He pointed out that they were using the wrong kind of gum arabic.
Baron also pointed out that making an emulsion was all about force. Rich and Brandon had scaled up their quantities, but not their mixing power. They were looking forlornly at the constituents of their cola lab when they noticed the tubular metal handle on one of their hand whisks was about the same thickness as a large drill bit.
Bingo! Whisking the mixture with a hammer drill produced the desired effect.
taste test
All they needed to do now was to add caffeine, caramel, sugar, citric acid and sparkling water -- and suddenly, from a single cup of emulsion, they had enough cola for a month.
So how does it taste? First, we try the real Coca-Cola. A restrained sweetness, low cool notes of caramel, dry on the tongue, quite flat on the palette. Very refreshing, but with little depth.
Now for Rich and Brandon's home-made product. The initial surprise is that it really does taste like Coke. Very slightly sweeter than "the real thing" but less acidic. A satisfying, complex flavor, subtly different from the brand leader, but easily as good.
Having found their liquid gold, Brandon and Rich plan to sell concentrate kits to other small bars and businesses. They maintain that they are not out to challenge the Coca-Cola hegemony, but they "do hope that along the way we'll help produce a small reality shift.
It's social change through science and baking."
The mega-corporation remains unfazed.
"As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," says a Coca-Cola spokesman. "But our product is unique. Anyone with a selection of ingredients could make a type of cola, but there can only be one Coke."
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