NATIONAL PINA COLADA DAY

July 10th recognizes a sweet, rum-based cocktail on National Pina Colada Day. Along with rum, a Pina Colada includes cream of coconut and pineapple juice and is usually served blended or shaken with ice.

Pina Colada means ‘strained pineapple,’ a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink.

Bormioli Rocco (Set of 4) Cocktail Glasses Tulip Shaped - 17 Ounce Pina Colada Glass, Hurricane Glasses for Drinking Full Bodied Beer, Water, Juice, Lead-Free Bar Glass Italian Crafted Beer Glasses  by Bormioli Rocco
Bormioli Rocco (Set of 4) Cocktail Glasses Tulip Shaped – 17 Ounce Pina Colada Glass, Hurricane Glasses for Drinking Full Bodied Beer, Water, Juice, Lead-Free Bar Glass Italian Crafted Beer Glasses

by Bormioli Rocco

While pineapple has been a part of the distillation history of rum, coconut didn’t show up until later. The first written reference to a pina colada was in 1922. However, two different claims to the invention of the pina colada in 1952 come from San Juan. Neither wavers from their story.

Escape (The Pina Colada Song)  Rupert Holmes
Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

Rupert Holmes

No matter who created the first creamy, sweet rum drink, it is forever infused with the ocean and beaches. The cocktail’s bright flavor suggests sunshine and vacation. Coconut alone makes us think of suntans while the pineapple’s freshness delivers a sparkling note of summer breezes.

Skinny Mixes Cocktail Mix - Pina Colada | Healthy Flavors with 0 Sugar | Gluten Free & Kosher | Keto Friendly & GMO Free | 32 fl oz  by Jordan's Skinny Mixes
Skinny Mixes Cocktail Mix – Pina Colada | Healthy Flavors with 0 Sugar | Gluten Free & Kosher | Keto Friendly & GMO Free | 32 fl oz

by Jordan’s Skinny Mixes

The beverage isn’t the only way to celebrate either. The day is dedicated to all things pina colada. Whether we make a dessert or snack on pina colada jelly beans, everyone can join in the day.

Put on your sunglasses, kick back, and enjoy a sip or a taste. It’s the best way to celebrate.

Mr & Mrs T Pina Colada Mix, 1.75 Liter Bottle (Pack of 6)  by Mr. & Mrs. T
Mr & Mrs T Pina Colada Mix, 1.75 Liter Bottle (Pack of 6)

by Mr. & Mrs. T

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPinaColadaDay

Try a frozen popsicle treat or a pina colada cake. You do not have to be sitting on a beach or the deck of a cruise ship to celebrate this holiday. You can enjoy a nice tall, cool Pina Colada where ever you are! (Remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive!) Use #NationalPinaColadaDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SUNDAE DAY

On July 7th, it is time to indulge on National Strawberry Sundae Day. Each year on this day, Americans combine vanilla or strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. Make several strawberry sundaes, and enjoy this delicious treat with friends and family.

While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is cooly debated. The October 5, 1892 ad in the Ithaca Daily Journal spelled the ice cream treat with the conventional day of the week spelling – Sunday.

However, Two Rivers, Wisconsin claims that Druggist Edward Berners served the first ice cream sundae in 1881. According to the story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Since ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath, Berners came up with a compromise and served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda. He topped it with chocolate syrup and called it a Sundae. One interesting catch – Berners was 18 at the time the story takes place.

Ithaca’s claim to the ice cream sundae takes place at Platt & Colt Pharmacy in 1892 where Reverend John M. Scott stops to order a bowl of ice cream. When Chester Platt, proprietor, began preparing the ice cream for his customer, he didn’t stop at just a couple of scoops of vanilla. Platt drizzled cherry syrup over the ice cream and topped them with a bright red, candied cherry. The dessert looked and tasted so delightful it required its own name. Since the day was Sunday, it was named for the day it was created. Ithaca also has historical evidence supporting the story, including an advertisement for a Cherry Sunday. 

While an origin story for the strawberry sundae hasn’t surfaced, it isn’t a stretch to imagine a strawberry replacing a cherry. Or strawberries topping chocolate. Celebrating sundaes with strawberries and whipped cream just seems worthy of a holiday no matter who created it.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #StrawberrySundaeDay

It’s summer! Strawberries and ice cream just go together. What better way to celebrate than with a sundae? Set up a strawberry sundae bar and invite the neighbors to make their own. Maybe they would like to try this sundae recipe. Post on social media using #StrawberrySundaeDay.

NATIONAL ONION DAY

Through all the years — and sometimes tears — National Onion Day on June 27 recognizes the flavor and aroma the bulb of the allium family brings to numerous recipes.

Whether we choose a sweet, white, red, or the ever-favorite yellow, we count on the onion to enhance the flavor of our savory recipes. They pair well with meats and salads, making the ever-versatile onion a cooking powerhouse. Added to eggs or pickled, it’s the required seasoning next to our salt and pepper.

While the onion packs in the flavor with very few calories, it’s also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Add onions to every meal to increase your dietary fiber and vitamin B6. As a bonus, you won’t be adding any cholesterol. With so many varieties to choose from, onions provide plenty of opportunities for us to relish the benefits.

As an industry, onions add $6 billion to U.S. markets. From farm to distribution to grocers and restaurants, onions generate economic growth throughout the year.

HISTORY

The National Onion Association founded National Onion Day on June 27, 2019, to honor the anniversary of the association. They represent almost 500 onion growers, shippers, packers and associated members across the country and officially incorporated on June 27, 1913, in Ohio. The association celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Be sure to add fresh onion for a punch of flavor to your favorite dish. No matter how you slice it, the onion brings some of the best flavors together! Whether you like to caramelize it or pickle it, tell us how you love to cook with onions!

Try these mouth-watering recipes from the National Onion Association:
High Protein Quinoa, Onion and Kale Salad
Spicy Onion Panini with Basil and Roasted Red Pepper
Oniony Meatloaf
Pan Fried Onion Slices

Use #NationalOnionDay to share your best recipes and tips on social media.

NATIONAL ORANGE BLOSSOM DAY

National Orange Blossom Day is observed annually on June 27th.  This day is set aside to enjoy Orange Blossoms for their aesthetic beauty.  Orange blossoms have been used in culinary dishes, desserts, and teas worldwide.  They add a slight citrus flavor to any dish!

Fragrant orange blossoms offer multiple health benefits when prepared correctly to make a tea or orange blossom water. Some of the advantages may include improved sleep, reduced anxiety and improved circulation.

Not surprisingly, the orange blossom is Florida’s state flower. Not only do the flowers result in the sweet as sunshine orange fruit, but thanks to the pollinating bees, we also get to enjoy a unique honey with a faintly orange flavor a delightful treat. The blossom’s scent goes into making perfumes and other fragrances for the home.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #NationalOrangeBlossomDay to share on social media.

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NATIONAL STRAWBERRY PARFAIT DAY

National Strawberry Parfait Day on June 25th comes around each year during the perfect time – peak strawberry season. 

In fact, parfait is French for perfect. The traditional parfait is a dessert of ice cream or frozen custard layered with fruit and whipped cream in a tall stemmed glass. An additional topping of whipped cream garnishes the dessert. Today, we often replace the ice cream with yogurt or pudding and layers of granola.  

Strawberries are not only in season during June, but they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber. At 55 calories and zero fat per 1 cup, these sweet things hit the spot when snack time is calling! When making parfaits, don’t just reserve them for dessert. If serving them with yogurt and granola, they make a delicious breakfast and snack, too.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStrawberryParfaitDay

This celebration offers a terrific opportunity to explore your farmer’s markets for fresh-picked strawberries. Once you have the bounty home, make a homemade strawberry parfait to enjoy with all the wholesome ingredients you can add. Or indulge a little and make a traditional parfait with ice cream, whipped cream, and maybe a little chocolate syrup, too. We even have a recipe for you to try.

Another way to celebrate is by visiting your favorite ice cream shop and treating the family to strawberry parfaits. Be sure to give them a shout-out. 

How will you be celebrating? Let us know by using #NationalStrawberryParfaitDay to share on social media.