What does strawberry soda have to do with Juneteenth?

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 does red soda have to do with 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 beverage is associated with Juneteenth?

As a symbolic representation of how hibiscus and kola nuts came to America through the transatlantic slave trade, red drinks like strawberry soda and hibiscus teas are staple Juneteenth drinks.

What does red velvet cake have to do with 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.

What foods go with Juneteenth?

You can’t go wrong with Southern classics like crispy, golden fried chicken and smoky collard greens. And of course, a big pot of Cajun gumbo with chicken and andouille sausage or Creole-style red jambalaya loaded with chicken, sausage, and shrimp can serve as the main event. “It’s also the time of year,” says Harris.

What soda flavor is Juneteenth?

Many people often celebrate Juneteenth by having a barbecue and drinking red strawberry soda. When the slaves were freed, they celebrated by drinking red soda, a luxury that they hadn’t been able to have as slaves. So it has since become a tradition to drink red soda on Juneteenth.

What does red symbolize on Juneteenth?

It commemorates the day enslaved African-Americans were freed on June 19, 1865, ending slavery. From the foods eaten, festivals planned, and Juneteenth flag itself, there’s one color that symbolizes the rich history behind the holiday—red. … The colors represent the blood, soil and prosperity of Africa and its people.

What states do not recognize Juneteenth?

According to the Congressional Research Service, a government body that provides research to inform lawmakers, South Dakota is the only US state that does not have a law to mark the celebration of Juneteenth. The most recent states to add a law recognizing the holiday are Hawaii and North Dakota.

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.

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.

Why do people BBQ Juneteenth?

And food is at the heart of many of these celebrations. When it comes to grub, the cornerstones of Juneteenth are red foods and BBQ. Red is a symbolic color representing resilience and the blood that was shed in the struggle for freedom.

What food is red?