What does red velvet cake have to do with Juneteenth?

Known for its smooth soft texture and distinctively deep, rich red colour, The Red Velvet Cake is enjoyed by many. It is the most significant cake served on Emancipation Day, as it serves a reminder of the bloodshed and those who lost their lives during enslavement.

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 19^th century. For both of these cultures the color red is the embodiment of spiritual power and transformation.

What does a red velvet cake symbolize?

Juneteenth. In recent history, red velvet cake has become synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations. Not only does the color red symbolize the bloodshed of the enslaved people who never experienced freedom, but it's also a symbol of strength and spiritual transformation in West African cultures.

What is the connection between Juneteenth and red velvet cake?

According to Adrian Lipscombe, red velvet cake's relationship to Juneteenth stems from its red color, which became popular in the 20th century after a specific red food coloring brand became the popular choice for tinting the cake. “The red color it is today was given credit to Adams Extract, a Texas company.

Why are red foods associated with 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.

Why Red Velvet Cake On Juneteenth?

What food is traditionally eaten on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth (a combination of June and nineteenth) celebrations include parades, parties, and prayer. And celebrations would not be complete without Juneteenth food. Barbecue and red-colored foods and drinks like red strawberry soda, and red velvet cake are all common.

What does red symbolize for Juneteenth?

Red symbolizes the bloodshed by enslaved ancestors due to the transatlantic slave trade, explains James Beard Award winner Adrian Miller, author of Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue.

Why are Juneteenth colors red and green?

The official Juneteenth flag was red, white and blue displaying that all American slaves and their decendants 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 is the big deal about red velvet cake?

Unless your red velvet cake is made from scratch, it's red dye that sets it apart from other chocolate and devil's food cakes. If the cake is made from scratch, though, the subtle red coloring is a result of the chemical reaction between the cocoa powder and buttermilk.

What's the history of red velvet cake?

In the 1930s, the Waldorf-Astoria, a famed New York City hotel, began serving red velvet cake. The hotel receives credit for creating the cake, but as the research shows, they only capitalized on a cake already somewhat known throughout the country.

What is red velvet famous for?

Red Velvet is known for their 'dual concept' dubbed as their "red" and "velvet" sides which influences their styling and the music they release. The group's "red" half produces singles predominantly of the pop genre due to its bright and more youthful nature.

What do African Americans eat on Juneteenth?

From okra to beans, yams, melons, and hibiscus tea, and red drinks. We see native African influence in African American soul food and during times of celebration and gathering like on Juneteenth.

What are some traditions of Juneteenth?

Music, dancing, and games — like dominoes, bid whist, and spades — round out some festivities. Serving red drinks, which symbolizes perseverance and honors the blood that was shed by our ancestors, is another Juneteenth tradition.

What is the flavor of Juneteenth?

The Celebration Edition: Juneteenth Ice Cream was released under Walmart's Great Value brand and is a mix of red velvet and cheesecake flavored ice creams. "Share and celebrate African American culture, emancipation and enduring hope," the original container of the frozen treat said.

What flavor is red velvet actually?

How Is Red Velvet Made? Thanks to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938, the cake was traditionally nothing more than buttermilk, vinegar, cocoa powder, and coffee, with plenty of red dye. This is very similar to any chocolate cake made from scratch, and similar recipes are used to this day.

How did red velvet cake get its name?

Original red velvet cakes got the "velvet" part of their name not because they resembled bright red velvet dresses, but because their texture was so smooth and velvety. Their texture was, in part, influenced by the special ingredients put into the cake.

Why was red velvet cake originally red?

All used red food coloring. The reaction of acidic vinegar and buttermilk tends to better reveal the red anthocyanin in cocoa and keeps the cake moist, light, and fluffy. This natural tinting may have been the source for the name "red velvet", as well as "Devil's food" and similar names for chocolate cakes.

What are the real Juneteenth colors?

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.

Is Juneteenth a black thing?

Juneteenth, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War, has been celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s.

What is the story behind Juneteenth?

Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.

Why do we drink strawberry soda on Juneteenth?

A traditional drink to serve at a Juneteenth celebration is Strawberry Soda. This drink along with other red foods and beverages symbolizes the bloodshed of the slaves, and pays homage to their sacrifice that led African Americans to the freedom that they have today.

What foods did slaves bring to America?

They brought the kola nut – one of the main parts of Coca-Cola – to what is now the United States. West Africans chewed the nut for its caffeine. Enslaved Africans also brought watermelon, okra, yams, black-eyed peas and some peppers. These foods are commonly eaten in the U.S. today.

What is the official drink of Juneteenth?

Red Hibiscus Drink

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. Be careful though, hibiscus flowers are like dye so things can get messy!

What do the colors of Juneteenth mean?

People designed this flag to tell the story of the unity among people from Africa. The colors: Red to stand for struggle and sacrifice. Black to stand for black people. Green to stand for the natural wealth of the land of Africa.

What are three ways people celebrate Juneteenth?