NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

While one perspective suggests honoring tools used to make holes, another points to a day created to throw a few punches at a punching bag. However, we will direct you toward the thirst-quenching version instead. Besides, this delicious, refreshing drink sparkles with celebration.
A wide assortment of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, fall into the category of punch.

A combination of fruit juice and a carbonated beverage, the colorful, bubbly drink sparkles with party personality. In fact, parties, weddings, and other celebrations serve punch as part of the centerpiece at the beverage table. Large wide bowls known as punch bowls provide a beautiful vessel for serving punch.

The word punch is a loanword from Hindi panch (meaning five). Originally, punch was made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. It was called paantsch.


Soft drink manufacturers today distribute many types of “fruit punch” beverages. Most punch mixes are red in color. However, despite the name, they contain a small fraction of fruit juice. Sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and artificial flavors make up the main ingredients.

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

Make some punch and make a toast! Thousands of punch recipes make the beverage versatile and easy to make. Check recipe books and online. Be sure to share your favorites, too! Use #NationalPunchDay to post on social media. 

NATIONAL PINEAPPLE JUICE DAY

August 17 is National Pineapple Juice Day and an exciting time to celebrate the natural citrusy sweet taste of pineapple juice! Join us as we raise our glass to this tropical juice full of flavorful facts deserving of a celebration.

Pineapple juice is a tropical drink that delivers a refreshing boost of hydration and Vitamin C. With its beautiful bright flavors, one sip of pineapple juice instantly transports your taste buds to the tropics. Today, we join millions of people across the globe to hold a celebration and start their day differently on National Pineapple Juice Day.

Native to South America, pineapple arrived in Hawaii courtesy of the Spanish sometime in the 18th century. However, the truly juicy story of pineapple juice unfolds there with a man named James Dole playing a pivotal role. 

In 1899, James Dole moved to Hawaii with $1,000, a Harvard degree in business and horticulture, and a love of farming. Dole began growing pineapples on his newly purchased 60-acre pineapple plantation and quickly realized he had a sweet opportunity to provide the juiciest pineapples to the world.

After his first harvest, Dole started shipping pineapples to people on the mainland in the United States. However, there seemed to be an issue of keeping the freshness of the pineapples. Dole wanted to make the sunshine and taste of Hawaiian pineapples available for everyone. As a result he developed a canning technique to preserve the delicious taste of the pineapple fruit and juice. 

“On this National Pineapple Juice Day, we are thrilled to celebrate the unique and tantalizing pineapple juice that consumers have been loving for many years. Serving a revitalizing change of pace for consumers, Dole® 100% Pineapple Juice is a naturally sweet, refreshing choice for juice drinkers without needing added sugar. Plus, it’s packed with Vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals. So, over 90 years since Dole first put pineapple juice in cans, raise a glass of sunshine and cheers to the naturally delicious taste of pineapple juice!”

Orzse Hodi, President, Dole Packaged Foods USA

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL PINEAPPLE JUICE DAY

In 2023, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC and National Day Calendar began a collaboration to create National Pineapple Juice Day. During the entire month of May, Dole called for all pineapple juice lovers to sign a petition and take the charge to make National Pineapple Juice Day official. To sweeten the deal, Dole made a donation for each signature to Feeding America® (up to $5,000) to support programs to end hunger as part of the Dole Promise. National Calendar Day unanimously approved Dole Packaged Foods, LLC’s request to establish National Pineapple Juice Day to be celebrated annually on August 17. 

About the Founder

Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, is a world leader in distributing, growing, marketing fruit and healthy snacks and sourcing in four core categories:

  1. Beverage
  2. Snacks
  3. Frozen
  4. Pantry

Dole Packaged Foods, LLC also sells a full line of packaged shelf stable fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit and juices focusing on supporting four pillars of sustainability:

  1. Water management
  2. Carbon footprint
  3. Soil conservation
  4. Waste reduction

Visit dolesunshine.com to learn more information about Dole and their products. 

Perfectly Pineapple

Pineapple juice is a versatile ingredient in the culinary world. With plenty of ways to use it, pineapple juice adds sweetness, slight acidity and a savory balance to any recipe.

  • Sipped Solo – As an excellent source of Vitamin C, pineapple juice is a great choice for a morning beverage. 
  • Marinade – Pineapple juice is great for tenderizing poultry, especially on chicken and pork. In fact, it also creates a delicious glaze for grilled food, too. 
  • Vinaigrette – Pineapple juice mixed with honey, olive oil, and lime or lemon juice adds delicious elements to any vinaigrette salad dressing.  
  • Baking – Substituting pineapple juice for water adds moisture and an additional touch of sweetness to cake and quick breads. You can also use pineapple juice to add a touch of the tropics to frostings.
  • Cocktails – Pineapple juice also adds a fresh, citrus, and sweet flavor to several tropical-flavored cocktails, including Piña Coladas and blended pineapple margaritas.  

National Pineapple Juice Day brings about many ways to celebrate. From learning about the history to savor the early beginnings to implementing it into your daily diet, pineapple juice deserves a time to shine. Show us how you celebrate National Pineapple Juice Day by sharing your photos or pineapple juice recipes on social media using #NationalPineappleJuiceDay and #NationalPJDay.

EAT YOUR JELL-O DAY

July 12 easily directs us what to do on Eat Your Jello Day! With plenty of flavors to choose from, you should have no problem finding one you like.

Trademarked in 1897 by Pearle Wait of Leroy, New York, Jell-O is the novel and fun dessert loved by millions. Francis Woodward, who later purchased the recipe and trademark, eventually made Jell-O a household name. With 21 different flavors, Jell-O satisfies every taste and can be enjoyed in numerous combinations.

Jell-O’s primary ingredient is gelatin. Gelatin consists of collagen, specifically animal collagen. It’s a protein extracted from the connective tissues of cows and pigs. Once the protein is broken down and extracted, the collagen is dried and ground into a fine powder.

Jell-O has been the subject of many classroom art and science projects throughout the years. From the study of viscosity and laser beams to gelatin artwork, Jell-O inspires in and outside the kitchen.

Eat Your Jell-O Day specifically tells us to eat. So, whether it is molded, layered, or mixed with fruit, vegetables, or marshmallows, be sure to have some. It’s delicious as a salad, dessert, or even a shot. Jell-O doesn’t break the budget either, nor does it add too many calories. Where can you go wrong?

HOW TO OBSERVE EAT YOUR JELL-O DAY


Give Jell-O recipes a try. Use #EatYourJelloDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL EGG DAY

June 3rd is time to get a crack on the annual observance of National Egg Day!

The nutrient-rich food has gone back and forth with science and nutritionists over the decades as to just how many eggs are too many for a healthy diet. However, one egg provides an excellent source of protein and vitamin D. At 75 calories and 5 grams of fat, it’s an easy choice to satisfy hunger, too. Eggs are easily seasoned and pair well with vegetables to increase the nutritional value of a meal.

Eggs are an essential ingredient to baked goods and are a part of our everyday diets. There’s so much to celebrate in these small packages.

Don’t forget National Egg Month, Better Breakfast Month, and Eggs Benedict Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEggDay

Fried, scrambled, poached, hard boiled, over easy, or whatever way you prefer, breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner, this versatile food is a perfect fit. They even make a great late night dinner.

Enjoy eggs for breakfast.  How about a fried egg sandwich for lunch? What’s your favorite way to enjoy an egg?  Use #NationalEggDay when posting on social media.

NATIONAL BEVERAGE DAY

National Beverage Day on May 6th encourages us to sit back, relax, and enjoy our favorite beverages.  

Beverages come in many forms. And whether you prefer a hot beverage or a cold one, the choice is yours. Serve up a caffeinated drink poured over over ice. Make it carbonated or mix it up as a cocktail or a mocktail as the case may be. Beverages may be freshly squeezed, frozen, blended, or creamy. They can even be sweet, sour, bitter, smooth, or dry.  

We drink them to cool off and to warm up. We also drink them to chill out and serve them to add sparkle to a celebration. Although, some months celebrate more than others. While January is quite busy and raises a glass to milk, green juice, and the bloody Mary, February only celebrates Kahlua. While July is busy, May doesn’t shy away from beverage celebrations, either. We just celebrated lemonade and America’s favorite beverage, orange juice, and will celebrate several more in May, too!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBeverageDay

Observe National Beverage Day by singing to a “beverage” inspired song while enjoying your tasty beverage!  Post photos of your favorite beverage on social media using #NationalBeverageDay