<P> Cola is a sweetened, carbonated soft drink flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, citrus oils and other flavorings . Most contain caffeine, which was originally sourced from the kola nut, leading to the drink's name, though other sources are now also used . Cola became popular worldwide after pharmacist John Pemberton invented Coca - Cola in 1886 . His non-alcoholic recipe was inspired by the coca wine of pharmacist Angelo Mariani, created in 1863 . </P> <P> Most modern colas usually contain caramel color, and are sweetened with sugar or high - fructose corn syrup . They now come in numerous different brands . Among them, the most popular are Coca - Cola and Pepsi . These two companies have been competing since the 1890s, but their rivalry has intensified since the 1980s . </P> <P> The primary modern flavoring ingredients in a cola drink are citrus oils (from oranges, limes, or lemon fruit peel), cinnamon, vanilla, and an acidic flavorant . Manufacturers of cola drinks add trace flavorings to create distinctively different tastes for each brand . Trace flavorings may include a wide variety of ingredients, such as spices like nutmeg or coriander, but the base flavorings that most people identify with a cola taste remain citrus, vanilla and cinnamon . Acidity is often provided by phosphoric acid, sometimes accompanied by citric or other isolated acids . Coca - Cola's recipe is maintained as a corporate trade secret . </P> <P> A variety of different sweeteners may be added to cola, often partly dependent on local agricultural policy . High - fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is predominantly used in the United States and Canada due to the lower cost of government - subsidized corn . In Europe, however, HFCS is subject to production quotas designed to encourage the production of sugar; sugar is thus typically used to sweeten sodas . In addition, stevia or an artificial sweetener may be used; "sugar - free" or "diet" colas typically contain artificial sweeteners only . </P>

Where does the flavor of cola come from
find me the text answering this question