making my dream coke flavor

Quick Overview

The creators successfully mixed essential oil flavors into Coca-Cola to create a custom "Pirated Coke" flavor, though some combinations resulted in unpleasant tastes like soap or perfume, leading them to discard the tractor hydraulic seal project they had initially intended to work on.

Key Points: The main activity shifted from repairing a tractor hydraulic cylinder to creating a custom Coca-Cola flavor blend using various essential oils. The initial goal of fixing the tractor hydraulic cylinder was abandoned after they failed to remove a retaining ring, which was dented and required specialized tools or machine work. They used a high-precision pipette to add 100 microliters of various flavor oils (including Black Cherry, Anise Star, Rosemary, Candy Cane, etc.) into small samples of Coke. The resulting flavor combinations were rated, with one mixture tasting distinctly like soap/perfume (likely due to the Irish Spring scent) and another tasting like the original Coke. The mixture containing Black Pepper and Black Cherry was described as tasting like 'old people's perfume,' while the one with Cinnamon and Pine tasted like 'a toy' or 'a Christmas candle.' The successful flavor profile was identified as a mix of Black Cherry, Vanilla, and a small amount of Black Pepper, resulting in a 'smooth' taste reminiscent of a higher-quality store-brand cola. The project served as a practical application for the laboratory equipment they used, such as the precision pipette and the hot plate used for melting a nylon piece.

Context: The video begins with William showing his farm and a broken Ford tractor, explaining that his dream was to fix the tractor, specifically the hydraulic lift cylinder. However, they encountered an immediate problem trying to remove a retaining ring from the cylinder, which was damaged and seemed impossible to remove without specialized tools or machining. They ultimately abandoned the tractor repair to pivot to a secondary, more feasible project: creating a custom flavor profile for Coca-Cola using a variety of essential oils and a chemistry setup, including a pipette and a hot plate.