A recipe potentially preceding Coca-Cola has been discovered within the archives of the San Marco monastery pharmacy in Florence, Italy. Father Manuel Russo, the monastery’s prior, unearthed the formula while cataloging the pharmacy’s collection, which closed in 1995. The recipe details a beverage crafted from coca leaves – sourced from Bolivia – and kola nuts. The Guardian reports the finding suggests a historical link between these ingredients and the later development of the world-famous soft drink. While not definitively proving a direct connection, the discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the historical use of these ingredients in beverage-making. Researchers are now investigating the age and specific composition of the recipe to determine its significance further. This finding adds a new layer to the already complex history surrounding Coca-Cola’s origins.