What do red foods symbolize on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth gatherings customarily feature red foods, which are used to symbolize resilience and joy. Delectable strawberry pie, barbecue, red rice, watermelon, hot sauce, red velvet cake and red sausages on the grill are all abundant. But no celebration would ever be complete without Red Drink.

Why is red food eaten in Juneteenth?

Red, in many West African cultures, is a symbol of strength, spirituality, and life and death. It's possible this cultural legacy along with these groups' distinct food knowledge of okra, beans, melons, and many other food groupings—some red, some not—was brought across the Atlantic.

What color food is associated with Juneteenth celebrations?

"Red is prominent in the celebration so we never forget what our ancestors had to go through," he said. "They shed a lot of blood to get us to this point." And it's through food that generations have healed.

Why is red so important on Juneteenth?

"Red pays homage and respect to those ancestors who died during the Atlantic slave trade." Red's significance to African Americans could also herald back to West Africa, where some dishes have a red and orange hue because they're cooked with palm oil, according to Miller.

Do you eat red food on Juneteenth?

From specialty drinks to main courses, there is certainly no shortage of red foods at a proper Juneteenth celebration. The most popular red foods are Juneteenth Punch, red velvet cupcakes, and hot links.

The Real Reason We Eat Red Food On Juneteenth

How red food and drink joined the Juneteenth feast?

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.

What is red food?

Red foods consist of everything from fruits, including watermelon, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, apples; and vegetables like tomatoes, red peppers, red onions, and red cabbage. These colorful and tasty foods are gifts from nature.

Why are Juneteenth colors red black and green?

The official Juneteenth flag was red, white, and blue displaying that all American slaves and their descendants were Americans. However, many in the Black community have adopted the Pan-African flag, red black and green. The colors represent the blood, soil and prosperity of Africa and its people.

What food do you eat on Juneteenth?

What did Juneteenth slaves eat?

“In some places in Texas, Juneteenth was all about having goat. It was about the whole hog in some places, and in other places, it was about beef. And then, in some places, it could be all three.” Another essential addition to the Juneteenth culinary tradition is red drinks, a staple across the diaspora.

What is the significance of 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. Those celebrations, according to the Journal Sentinel story, included red food and beverages “to symbolize the blood that was shed by the slaves.”

What is red soda water?

Red Soda Water (and anything else that's red)

The classic color symbolizes blood lost during the struggle for emancipation or the hibiscus tea that was frequently drunk by slaves during celebrations, depending on who you talk to.

What is the official drink of Juneteenth?

Red Hibiscus Drink

Hibiscus flowers are native to West Africa, and hibiscus drink or 'tea' is a popular drink still made there today. It's been a part of Juneteenth celebrations since the beginning and it's tangy flavor comes to life when you boil the hibiscus flowers for about 10 mins and add ice and sugar to taste.

What are the colors for Juneteenth day?

You'll see that the Juneteenth flag uses the exact same colors as the United States's flag: red, white, and blue. This was intentional and meant to show that the formerly enslaved and their descendants are free Americans, too.

What is the Juneteenth flag colors?

A Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 that included the colors red, white and blue. Many Black people celebrate Juneteenth with a flag that is red, black and green. Some social media users called out a Virginia city for merging July 4th and Juneteenth holidays and only using red, white and blue decorations.

What does the curved separation between red and blue mean?

Its colors-red, white, and blue-are the same as the U.S. flag, emphasizing that those formerly enslaved and their descendants are Americans. According to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, the curved separation in colors symbolizes new horizons and opportunities for Black Americans.

What are the red vegetables?

Why is red food good?

Many red fruits and veggies are loaded with powerful, healthy antioxidants -- such as lycopene and anthocyanins -- that may do everything from fight heart disease and prostate cancer to decrease the risk for stroke and macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in people aged 60 and older).

Where does red food color come from?

Cochineal insects (shown crushed) are responsible for creating the red dye found in many products.

What does red velvet cake have to do with slavery?

But the cake is an important part of Juneteenth parties, where red food is served ostensibly to symbolize the blood shed during slavery and in the Civil War. The June 19 celebrationmarks the date in 1865 when slaves in Texas found out they had been freed.

What is a traditional way to celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a day filled with rodeos, parades and street fairs. At these events, you can expect music, performances and food. While the pandemic has shifted the way we celebrate, many events are beginning to pop up again this year.

What liquor mixes well with strawberry soda?

Recipe makes one cocktail. In your cocktail glass, muddle strawberries, then fill with ice. Add in tequila, lime juice and tonic water.

What songs and types of music are sung or performed on Juneteenth?

Why is Big Red only sold in Texas?

Until the 1970s, Big Red couldn't be found outside of Texas, Kentucky, and southern Indiana; today, it's distributed by Dr. Pepper, meaning those unlucky enough to live outside of Texas may not have to drive so far.

Is Big Red only in Texas?

For the longest time, Big Red was only sold in Texas, but now can be found in southern Indiana and in Kentucky. 5. It is now distributed by Dr. Pepper and the Dr.