Why do we drink red soda on Juneteenth?
Another essential addition to the Juneteenth culinary tradition is red drinks, a staple across the diaspora. “Red is a color that evokes cultural memory of the bloodshed by our enslaved ancestors through the transatlantic slave trade,” says Miller.
What does the red drink symbolize for Juneteenth?
The color red is said to represent the blood shed throughout enslavement, and some say it traces back to parts of West Africa where red drinks marked special occasions and red is symbolic of spiritual power. Here are some red food and drink recipes that are sure to make this Juneteenth fun for the entire family.
What soda is associated with Juneteenth?
Strawberry soda
Strawberry soda is a common feature of the Juneteenth holiday as a nod to the celebrations of slaves in Galveston, Texas, who on June 19, 1865, learned they were free.
What do the Red food and drinks at Juneteenth celebrations symbolize?
“After slavery, enslaved people began to recall and re-construct their experience through the celebration of Juneteenth,” Twitty wrote in Afroculinaria, a culinary food blog. “Red is the embodiment of spiritual power and transformation.”
What does watermelon do with Juneteenth?
“You cannot say serving watermelon on Juneteenth is a soul food menu when you don’t even know the history, they used to feed slaves watermelon during the slave time,” an anonymous employee told CBS 46. The incident resulted in about 20 employees calling out in protest.
Why do you eat red velvet cake on Juneteenth?
The practice of eating red foods—red cake, barbecue, punch and fruit– may owe its existence to the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo brought to Texas in the 19th century. For both of these cultures the color red is the embodiment of spiritual power and transformation.
Is watermelon part of Juneteenth?
One of the main themes associated with Juneteenth is the color red. “The red food traditions that you eat during the time of Juneteenth bring recognition to the bloodshed of the enslaved,” says Purdie. You’ll find watermelon as a part of almost any spread, whether cubed, sliced, or even pickled.
How is Red Velvet Cake related to Juneteenth?
Although I recently learned something new Red Velvet Cake became part of the Juneteenth celebration in the 20th Century. Earlier beets created the red cake color until a Texas company’s red food coloring, Adam’s Extract, put the vibrant red color into the Red Velvet Cake.
Why do people put vinegar in red velvet?
Red velvet cake contains baking powder and baking soda to leaven, or raise, the height of the batter. Although most red velvet cake recipes contain acidic ingredients such as buttermilk and cocoa, the addition of vinegar provides just a little extra acid to ensure the baking soda can do its best rising work.
What should I wear to Juneteenth?
A common theme is dressing in red, white, and blue to highlight the “Independence Day for Black folks” vibe of the holiday. It’s also a nod to the Juneteenth flag, which sports bright red and blue stripes and a bold white star overlay to represent the “new star” on the horizon for our community.
What food did they eat on Juneteenth?
Some of the signature dishes that folks may cook or prepare for Juneteenth include red velvet cake, strawberry soda and barbecued or grilled meats.
What kind of soda is used for Juneteenth?
The kola nut was used in the original ‘medicinal’ Coca-Cola recipe, along with coca leaf. Early Juneteenth celebrations featured red lemonade that was colored with cherries and strawberries. When artificial food coloring was invented, carbonated red soda joined the menu. Strawberry soda and red root beer is often seen on picnic tables.
What foods and drinks are red on Juneteenth?
Red foods like red velvet cake, strawberry pie, fresh strawberries, watermelon, and red tinged BBQ sauces became part of the celebration. So the use of the color red in food and drink goes deep in tradition and commemoration of a painful time in America’s history.
Why is Big Red on the Juneteenth table?
Food coloring came to preeminence in the late 1800s, and by the 1920s, red-colored carbonated drinks like the Texas-made soda Big Red became part of Juneteenth culinary tradition. Whatever the origin of each item on the Juneteenth table, collectively, they hold a lot of symbolic meaning.
Why is red velvet cake important to Juneteenth?
Red fare at June 19 celebrations has significance that predates American slavery. Red velvet cake adds to the repertoire of red desserts made for Juneteenth festivities. Derek Holley/EyeEm/Getty Images On June 19, Black Americans gather across the United States to feast, as they have done every year since the nation’s enslaved people were freed.