One of the most secretive recipes and trade secrets of the fast food industry may have been accidentally let out into the open this week, as the "Chicago Tribune" released an article in which they have found out the secret blend of "11 herbs and spices" that KFC uses in its fried chicken. The article claims that what they published is not the recipe, but in a taste test done by the Tribune they claim the tastes are exactly identical. KFC has fought for years and even had extensive legal battles when their recipe was almost released in the past, as they know the release of the recipe could have a major affect on their company.
But, it made me ask the question: are secret recipes really that secret? Here's a list of some secret recipes that have been leaked:
1. Coca-Cola
There have been a few times that people have claimed to release Coca-Cola's recipe for its soda, and all have been proven as fakes. However, in 2011 radio show host Ira Glass found a picture of an old pharmacist recipes and claims it is the recipe for Coke. Coca-Cola was originally invented by pharmacist John Pemberton and sold as a drug store soda. It is very similar to a recipe for Coke released by author Mark Pendergrast in his book For God, Country and Coca-Cola, an expose on Coke. Just like the KFC recipe we will probably never know if it's real but its got to be close.
2. Raising Cane's Secret Sauce and Toast
One of my fave places to eat! In 2015 a disgruntled fired employee of Raising Cane's in Baton Rouge claimed to have the recipe for the Raising Cane's Secret Sauce and Toast on Twitter, but the company claims the twitter user was never employed by Raising Canes. But, they did inform the public that every GM of their restaurants are told the secret recipes, and there are many imitations of the Cane's Secret Sauce.
3. McDonald's Special Sauce
There have also been many imitations of this, but this one, even though it is claimed to be a secret "special sauce" actually is not that much of a secret. You can actually find the ingredients on McDonald's website.
So, as we can see, secret recipes may not be that secret after all. And many times they are imitated all over online. But, I guess there is always one secret formula we will never know: the Krabby Patty Secret Formula. Right?
