Why is red food eaten on 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. With so many reasons to celebrate Juneteeth, what are you waiting for?

Why red foods for Juneteenth?

The color red plays an enormous role on Juneteenth, which usually embraces Southern and Black cuisine. The color red takes center stage on Juneteenth, especially when it comes to the food. According to Miller, there are several theories as to why red food and drinks have become the norm on the holiday.

What foods are eaten on Juneteenth?

Well first, since it's a warm weather celebration, Juneteenth food traditions often include cookout fare like barbecued meats, potato salad and fruity or frozen desserts. You'll also see lots of traditional soul food dishes like fried chicken, cornbread and collard greens.

What is red drink 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.

Why is red velvet associated with Juneteenth?

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.

The Real Reason We Eat Red Food On Juneteenth

What does red velvet cake have to do with slavery?

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.

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.

What foods are served on Juneteenth and why is it important?

As for red drinks, red drinks at Juneteenth celebrations have roots in two native West African plants: the kola nut and hibiscus. White or red kola nuts are served as snacks, as a water purifier, and steeped for tea. Hibiscus flowers are brewed into reddish-purple bissap tea.

What are the official colors for Juneteenth?

The Juneteenth colors of red, white, and blue echo the iconic colors of the American flag. These three colors appear on the Juneteenth flag as a second declaration of independence: Black Americans—from former slaves to their living descendants—were and are free Americans too.

How do you celebrate Juneteenth with food?

Prosperity meals on Juneteenth are "all about celebrating good luck and wishing for the best," said Michiel Perry, lifestyle expert and creator of the brand Black Southern Belle. The meals often include side dishes like black-eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread, cabbage, and sweet potatoes.

What does red food do for your body?

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).

Is red dye made out of bugs?

This is because one of the most widely used red food colourings - carmine - is made from crushed up bugs. The insects used to make carmine are called cochineal, and are native to Latin America where they live on cacti.

What does red 3 do to your body?

Artificial food dye consumption is on the rise, especially among children. Consuming too much food dye containing contaminants could pose a health risk. However, with the exception of Red 3, there is currently no convincing evidence that artificial food dyes cause cancer.

What is the history behind why a red velvet cake is red?

The ingredient of cocoa would help break down the coarse flour. As a result, the flour was softer and the cake was velvety. Some people argue that the red color comes from a chemical reaction. A chemical reaction between the cocoa and acid give the cake it's red color.

What did slaves drink?

in which slaves obtained alcohol outside of the special occasions on which their masters allowed them to drink it. Some female house slaves were assigned to brew cider, beer, and/or brandy on their plantations.

Is Red Velvet a cake for black people?

Did Black folks invent it? Red velvet cake is considered to be soul food of the South! Because like most Southern cuisine that originated in the 1800s, red velvet cake is believed to also be of African-American origin.

Does Pepsi have red dye in it?

But after testing cola products in 10 states, the Center for Environmental Health said it found high levels of the caramel coloring agent called 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in all Pepsi cola products. Coke products didn't contain the chemical.

What does yellow five do to you?

Researchers found that although this food coloring wasn't immediately toxic to white blood cells, it did damage the DNA, causing the cell to mutate over time. After three hours of exposure, yellow 5 caused damage to human white blood cells in every concentration tested.

Where did red 3 originate?

What Is Red 3 Made Of? Red 3 is made synthetically. It is an organoiodine compound that is specifically derived from fluorone. It is not made of bugs or any other animal products.

Are M&M shells made of bugs?

The hard, shiny shells on candies are often made from shellac, a resin secreted by the lac bug.

What foods have bugs in them?

What are 10 red foods?

What is a blue food?

*Blue food: food derived from aquatic animals, plants or algae that are caught or cultivated in freshwater and marine environments.

What do the colors of food mean?

For example, if something is bright red, we might assume it will taste like cherry or cinnamon. If something is colored green, we might expect that food product to taste like lime or apple. And when it comes to fresh foods, like fruits and vegetables, we rely on color to determine the ripeness or freshness.