June 19, 2023 • 8 mins
Juneteenth foods, are deeply rooted in the African-American experience. foods like Barbecue pork, watermelon, and collard greens are all traditional dishes that reflect the resilience of the African-American people. These dishes not only provide sustenance, but also serve as symbols of African-American pride, representing the strength, courage, and perseverance of African-Americans in the face of adversity.
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Sources: African Americans : a concise history By Hine, Darlene Clark https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth
https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths/juneteenth-holiday-five-myths/2020/06/18/4c19fff8-b0e1-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/one-mic-black-history--4557850/support.
Audio Onemichistory.com
Please support our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=25697914
Buy me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Countryboi2m
Sources: African Americans : a concise history By Hine, Darlene Clark https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth
https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths/juneteenth-holiday-five-myths/2020/06/18/4c19fff8-b0e1-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/one-mic-black-history--4557850/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey, you ever wondered why somefoods are closely associated with June teenth.
Well, today we're going to talkabout it, and if you have your
own questions, you can reach outto me. What might contry dot com
in the contact page. Also,you'd like to support the channel, you
can do someone buy me coffee onmy Patreon page in the description below,
give us five stars an Apple podcastand support the YouTube channel. But without
further ado, let's get started.Juneteenth is the annual celebration of the emancipation
(00:25):
of those that were enslaved in theUnited States by are recalling the day that
marked the final liberation of those thatwere enslaved. Over time, it has
become a significant aspect of African Americanculture, and it's now being celebrated throughout
the United States, with the hallmarkfeature being festivals and the sharing variety of
foods which have a long standard affiliationwith the African American experience. Georges the
(00:50):
Juneteenth give me trace back to theEmancipation Proclamation in eighteen sixty three, in
which all enslaved people in the ConfederateStates were released from slavery. Despite the
proclamation, an immense number of AfricanAmericans in Texas remained in bondage until June
nineteenth, eighteen sixty five, whenUnion General Gordon Ranger arrived in Galvets in
Texas and declared that every person shouldbe set free. That date is honored
(01:14):
as Juneteenth. For want to understandthe importance of Juneteenth, you have to
understand the history of African Americans andtheir foods. During slavery, African Americans
would deny the implementation of their cultureand thus resorted to food as an expression
of the cultural heritage. This isespecially true with foods during Juneteenth. These
foods are deeply rooted in the AfricanAmerican experience. Foods like barbecue, watermelon,
(01:38):
collared greens are all traditional dishes reflectthe resilience of the African American people.
These dishes not only provided substance,but also served as a symbol of
pride, courage, and strength,and the perseverance of African Americans in the
face of adversity. Watermelon, forexample, the staple food for African Americans
during slavery. It was easily cultivatedin hot human climates of the Southern United
(02:00):
States and was one of the fewfruits that were available to enslave people,
plantation owners often allowed them to cultivateand sell their own and they were also
often given watermelon to celebrate during Julyfourth. After massive patient watermelon became a
symbol of Juneteenth and a reminder ofthe freedom that African Americans and software formally
(02:21):
enslaved individuals would often avoid chair croppingon white owned plantations by growing, consuming,
and selling their own watermelon. Thisled to watermelon being seen as a
symbol of pride, long before thenegative stereotype of watermelon being associated with black
people. Another popular food's barbecue,and it's also rooted in African American tradition
(02:43):
of pit cooking. This method involvedbearing pits of hot coals within which the
foods would be cooked. Enslaved Africansarrived in the American colonies as early as
sixteen hundreds, and by the seventeenhundreds, African Americans were the gold to
barbecue cooks, and this type ofbarbecue is a culmination of African, European
and indigenous meat cooking and seasoning techniques. Enslaved people are responsible for the most
(03:07):
difficult and laborous tasks that included diggingpits, chopping wood, butchering and processing
and cooking the animals. This ishow they were able to learn and perfect
their craft over centuries. During thattime, any animal could be cooked in
the pit. It could be aquartered cow, goat, apossum, a
raccoon, or even a sheep.Following emancipation, African Americans moved to various
(03:30):
corners of the nation and took theSouthern barbecue techniques with them. Subsequently,
they continue to use the same cookingtechniques while incorporating their own regional ingredients and
flavors to the barbecue craft that isnow linked to Juneteenth Cola greens also has
a long history of being associated withthe experience of enslaved people in the United
(03:51):
States. Greens originated in Greece,but it wasn't until the first Africans arrived
in Jamestown, Virginia in early sixteenhundreds that America was first entered dues to
the green, leafy vegetable. Collargreens were one the few vegetables that once
again African Americans were allowed to cultivatefor their own consumption. Resilient to a
variety of climates and able to beharvested multiple time, colar greens were easy
(04:14):
to store during the winter, andcould be cooked in a variety of ways.
Pulling with pork fat or bacon wasa popular method of seasoning the dish
and adding flavor and protein to makeit more filling. The popularity of collar
green spread throughout the South, makingit a staple of many diets. After
African Americans emancipation, their love ofgreens continued and they kept handling down.
(04:36):
They well developed recipes for greens whowon generation to the next. Even white
Southerners began eating collar greens and foundout what African Americans had known for generations.
They were delicious. Additionally, thetradition of red foods and drink were
another major way to commemorate Juneteenth.The practice can be traced back to West
(04:58):
African origins. Stories believe it's asymbolic meaning of the color red can also
be associated with strength, spirituality,and life and death in many West African
cultures, and that enslaved people broughtthat with them across the Atlantic, alongside
their knowledge of food to West Africanplants, the cola nut and the hybiscuits
were imported to the Caribbean and theAmericas during these transplantic slave trade. Slave
(05:23):
owners observed the cola nut being usedas an energizer and a digestive or coal
remedy, while the hybiscus flowers weresteeped to make a reddish purple tea called
bisip. When the cola nut wascrushed into a powder and then added to
water, it created a redgi brown, refreshing drink. The practice of adding
red hue ingredients to make a sweet, palatable drink was common, particularly in
(05:45):
the Southern United States. After emancipation, Black families often prepared homemade teas and
lemonade. They would in fused thecherries or strawberries or other red fruits.
Additionally, they would also preserve thesefruits in a syrup made of vinegar or
water, which could then be furthersweetened and mixed with other beverages. By
the late eighteen eighties, food colorand became widely available and was used to
(06:10):
create sodas like the Texas made bigred and then carbonated drinks quickly became a
popular part of June teenth culinary culture. Lastly, another red food that has
its roots in African American culture isred velvet cake. This dessert was believed
to be originated in eighteen eighties asa luxury food for wealthy plantation owners in
(06:30):
the South. It is thought thered velvet cake is an adaptation of a
European cake that used beetroot to colorthe cake. Over time, the distinctive
flavor and color became a symbol ofcelebration. Its red hue is said to
be homage to blood shed by slavesduring that period. Surprisingly, the original
hue or red velvet cake was notvivid as it is today. It originally
(06:54):
had a reddish brown tent due tothe chemical reaction between the brown sugar,
the milk, and the vinegar.Food color was later added to the recipe
to give it its distinct color.Although the exact time and place of its
introduction is unknown, but one theoryis that red velvet cake made its debut
at the Waldorf a Story in Manhattanin nineteen fifty nine. Another is that
(07:18):
a housewife dissatisfied with the color ofthe cake, added red food coloring to
the batter. Another theory is thata baker created a vivid red color in
order to make a profit from thecake on Valentine's Day. Regardless of how
the color came about, after emancipation, red velvet cake became a popular treat
(07:38):
and is now associated with the holiday. The legacy of juneteent foods is a
rich envirot one, from pitt barbecueto watermelon to red velvet cake. Juneteenth
is a holiday that brings people togetheras a reminder of the strength and beauty
of African Americans. All though itsorigins of the holiday are rooted in sorrow,
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom andit can be felt with every single
(08:00):
Juneteenth celebration. So as you enjoythese foods this holiday, it serves a
reminder of the history behind it andthose enslaved Africans who finally achieved the freedom
that they deserved. Thank you.I'm your host, country Boy, and
this has been one of my historyAnd if you have questions or you just
want to leave your comments, likeI said, you can do so on
mic history dot com in the contactpage. Thank you for listening, and peace
Hey, you ever wondered why somefoods are closely associated with June teenth.
Well, today we're going to talkabout it, and if you have your
own questions, you can reach outto me. What might contry dot com
in the contact page. Also,you'd like to support the channel, you
can do someone buy me coffee onmy Patreon page in the description below,
give us five stars an Apple podcastand support the YouTube channel. But without
further ado, let's get started.Juneteenth is the annual celebration of the emancipation
(00:25):
of those that were enslaved in theUnited States by are recalling the day that
marked the final liberation of those thatwere enslaved. Over time, it has
become a significant aspect of African Americanculture, and it's now being celebrated throughout
the United States, with the hallmarkfeature being festivals and the sharing variety of
foods which have a long standard affiliationwith the African American experience. Georges the
(00:50):
Juneteenth give me trace back to theEmancipation Proclamation in eighteen sixty three, in
which all enslaved people in the ConfederateStates were released from slavery. Despite the
proclamation, an immense number of AfricanAmericans in Texas remained in bondage until June
nineteenth, eighteen sixty five, whenUnion General Gordon Ranger arrived in Galvets in
Texas and declared that every person shouldbe set free. That date is honored
(01:14):
as Juneteenth. For want to understandthe importance of Juneteenth, you have to
understand the history of African Americans andtheir foods. During slavery, African Americans
would deny the implementation of their cultureand thus resorted to food as an expression
of the cultural heritage. This isespecially true with foods during Juneteenth. These
foods are deeply rooted in the AfricanAmerican experience. Foods like barbecue, watermelon,
(01:38):
collared greens are all traditional dishes reflectthe resilience of the African American people.
These dishes not only provided substance,but also served as a symbol of
pride, courage, and strength,and the perseverance of African Americans in the
face of adversity. Watermelon, forexample, the staple food for African Americans
during slavery. It was easily cultivatedin hot human climates of the Southern United
(02:00):
States and was one of the fewfruits that were available to enslave people,
plantation owners often allowed them to cultivateand sell their own and they were also
often given watermelon to celebrate during Julyfourth. After massive patient watermelon became a
symbol of Juneteenth and a reminder ofthe freedom that African Americans and software formally
(02:21):
enslaved individuals would often avoid chair croppingon white owned plantations by growing, consuming,
and selling their own watermelon. Thisled to watermelon being seen as a
symbol of pride, long before thenegative stereotype of watermelon being associated with black
people. Another popular food's barbecue,and it's also rooted in African American tradition
(02:43):
of pit cooking. This method involvedbearing pits of hot coals within which the
foods would be cooked. Enslaved Africansarrived in the American colonies as early as
sixteen hundreds, and by the seventeenhundreds, African Americans were the gold to
barbecue cooks, and this type ofbarbecue is a culmination of African, European
and indigenous meat cooking and seasoning techniques. Enslaved people are responsible for the most
(03:07):
difficult and laborous tasks that included diggingpits, chopping wood, butchering and processing
and cooking the animals. This ishow they were able to learn and perfect
their craft over centuries. During thattime, any animal could be cooked in
the pit. It could be aquartered cow, goat, apossum, a
raccoon, or even a sheep.Following emancipation, African Americans moved to various
(03:30):
corners of the nation and took theSouthern barbecue techniques with them. Subsequently,
they continue to use the same cookingtechniques while incorporating their own regional ingredients and
flavors to the barbecue craft that isnow linked to Juneteenth Cola greens also has
a long history of being associated withthe experience of enslaved people in the United
(03:51):
States. Greens originated in Greece,but it wasn't until the first Africans arrived
in Jamestown, Virginia in early sixteenhundreds that America was first entered dues to
the green, leafy vegetable. Collargreens were one the few vegetables that once
again African Americans were allowed to cultivatefor their own consumption. Resilient to a
variety of climates and able to beharvested multiple time, colar greens were easy
(04:14):
to store during the winter, andcould be cooked in a variety of ways.
Pulling with pork fat or bacon wasa popular method of seasoning the dish
and adding flavor and protein to makeit more filling. The popularity of collar
green spread throughout the South, makingit a staple of many diets. After
African Americans emancipation, their love ofgreens continued and they kept handling down.
(04:36):
They well developed recipes for greens whowon generation to the next. Even white
Southerners began eating collar greens and foundout what African Americans had known for generations.
They were delicious. Additionally, thetradition of red foods and drink were
another major way to commemorate Juneteenth.The practice can be traced back to West
(04:58):
African origins. Stories believe it's asymbolic meaning of the color red can also
be associated with strength, spirituality,and life and death in many West African
cultures, and that enslaved people broughtthat with them across the Atlantic, alongside
their knowledge of food to West Africanplants, the cola nut and the hybiscuits
were imported to the Caribbean and theAmericas during these transplantic slave trade. Slave
(05:23):
owners observed the cola nut being usedas an energizer and a digestive or coal
remedy, while the hybiscus flowers weresteeped to make a reddish purple tea called
bisip. When the cola nut wascrushed into a powder and then added to
water, it created a redgi brown, refreshing drink. The practice of adding
red hue ingredients to make a sweet, palatable drink was common, particularly in
(05:45):
the Southern United States. After emancipation, Black families often prepared homemade teas and
lemonade. They would in fused thecherries or strawberries or other red fruits.
Additionally, they would also preserve thesefruits in a syrup made of vinegar or
water, which could then be furthersweetened and mixed with other beverages. By
the late eighteen eighties, food colorand became widely available and was used to
(06:10):
create sodas like the Texas made bigred and then carbonated drinks quickly became a
popular part of June teenth culinary culture. Lastly, another red food that has
its roots in African American culture isred velvet cake. This dessert was believed
to be originated in eighteen eighties asa luxury food for wealthy plantation owners in
(06:30):
the South. It is thought thered velvet cake is an adaptation of a
European cake that used beetroot to colorthe cake. Over time, the distinctive
flavor and color became a symbol ofcelebration. Its red hue is said to
be homage to blood shed by slavesduring that period. Surprisingly, the original
hue or red velvet cake was notvivid as it is today. It originally
(06:54):
had a reddish brown tent due tothe chemical reaction between the brown sugar,
the milk, and the vinegar.Food color was later added to the recipe
to give it its distinct color.Although the exact time and place of its
introduction is unknown, but one theoryis that red velvet cake made its debut
at the Waldorf a Story in Manhattanin nineteen fifty nine. Another is that
(07:18):
a housewife dissatisfied with the color ofthe cake, added red food coloring to
the batter. Another theory is thata baker created a vivid red color in
order to make a profit from thecake on Valentine's Day. Regardless of how
the color came about, after emancipation, red velvet cake became a popular treat
(07:38):
and is now associated with the holiday. The legacy of juneteent foods is a
rich envirot one, from pitt barbecueto watermelon to red velvet cake. Juneteenth
is a holiday that brings people togetheras a reminder of the strength and beauty
of African Americans. All though itsorigins of the holiday are rooted in sorrow,
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom andit can be felt with every single
(08:00):
Juneteenth celebration. So as you enjoythese foods this holiday, it serves a
reminder of the history behind it andthose enslaved Africans who finally achieved the freedom
that they deserved. Thank you.I'm your host, country Boy, and
this has been one of my historyAnd if you have questions or you just
want to leave your comments, likeI said, you can do so on
mic history dot com in the contactpage. Thank you for listening, and peace
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