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!”
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:
Beverage
Snacks
Frozen
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:
Water management
Carbon footprint
Soil conservation
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.
In the sweltering heat of July, which is also National Watermelon Month, nothing tastes as great as a big cold bowl of watermelon. It has a unique taste and scent that refreshes you from the inside out. Consisting of 92% water, eating a watermelon hydrates you thoroughly. It also helps restore essential electrolytes in your body. During the heat of July, it is believed to be one way to relieve the pain of muscle cramps. Many cultures boil and cook the rind to make scrumptious savory salads and dishes.
5 FACTS ABOUT WATERMELON THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Watermelons are considered a fruit and vegetableWhile it is true that watermelons are created using the pollination method that all fruits go through, many gardeners also consider watermelons as vegetables because they are part of the botanical family of gourds.
Watermelons have 1,200 varietiesWatermelons come in over 1,200 varieties, and each is divided into four categories: seeded, seedless, yellow/orange, and icebox.
The heaviest watermelonChris Kent of Tennessee holds the world record for growing the heaviest watermelon, which weighed around 350.5 pounds.
Seedless watermelons are naturalContrary to popular belief, seedless watermelons occur naturally due to years of evolution.
Watermelon is actually a berryThe watermelon is actually a type of berry called pepo, and this variety has a harder outer rind with a softer inner flesh.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH
National Watermelon Month came into existence in 2007 when a resolution was submitted by the senate to the U.S. Congress. The resolution was accepted, and July was designated as the official Watermelon Month. The aim was to raise production and sales of the fruit all over the country. Today, watermelon is a crucial agricultural sector in America as it is produced in 49 states, and is sold and consumed in 50 states. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2006 alone, the U.S. produced a whopping 4,200,000,000 pounds of watermelon! Now, that is a lot of watermelons. The National Watermelon Association, which is a membership trade, is another organization that is dedicated to creating positive changes and growth in the industry. It has chapters all over America and Canada.
Given its track record on sales and production, we know that watermelon is extremely popular among the masses, but did you know that it has gone through extreme evolution to come to the stage it is in today? That’s right, earlier records show that watermelons from the ancient era were not as fleshy or as red as the watermelons today. It was through seasoned farmers’ efforts that watermelons started changing.
If we were to start at a particular point, the earliest records show that watermelon may have originated in ancient Egypt in 2000 B.C. In fact, some watermelon seeds were also found in King Tut’s tomb. Eventually, watermelon found its way to the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Trading routes and growing civilizations and globalization led to watermelon being taken to China and India during the 7th century. It would take another 10 centuries for watermelon to reach North-, South-, and Central America. The watermelon fruit has had quite a journey all over the planet.
Enjoy a cold watermelonThe month of July has its fair share of festivities including the Fourth of July. This means that you may be spending long hours of your day outdoors in the heat. But don’t worry, as you can cool down by enjoying a bowl of fresh watermelon.
Try a watermelon steak. July also happens to be the month of grilling. If you are looking to up your grilling food game, you can find a watermelon steak recipe and prepare it on the grill. If you are not a fan of grilling, you can always cook the watermelon on your stove or bake it in the oven.
Have a seed spitting contest. Watermelons have some of the most distinct seeds of all fruits. You can organize a seed-spitting contest with your friends and family, and see who is the best at this specialized skill.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH
It’s a celebration of watermelonsWatermelons are a great source of food. They are hydrating and help to get rid of muscle cramps. Moreover, they have no fat or cholesterol, are high in fiber, and are packed with vitamin C. It is an all-rounder.
It’s a celebration of freshnessIn the muggy and humid weather of July, people are on the constant lookout for things to cool themselves off with, and watermelon can help you with just that. Whether you choose to have it cubed with other summer fruits or juice it, it doesn’t matter because you will be getting a dose of much-needed refreshment.
It’s a celebration of summerWe wouldn’t have been able to appreciate the goodness of watermelon without summer. This season may have us rushing towards shade, but it also gives us the amazing fruit that is watermelon.
Share your pictures and recipes on social media with #NationalWatermelonMonth.
On the third Wednesday of every May, we celebrate the icy delight that has come to be known as frozen juice slush.
Royal courts from ages past used to bring down freshly fallen snow from mountain tops and spread crushed berries and mashed fruit on top. Little has changed. Billions of servings later the refreshing taste of icy fruit slush still thrills all ages.
The world spins faster now. There just isn’t enough time to do everything that needs to be done. National Juice Slush Day dials back the pace and brings us to a more relaxed place. No Rush…Go Slush!
Cool Tropics founded National Juice Slush Day to celebrate the curiosity, creative energy, and joy of youth. For 25 years Cool Tropics has specialized in fun, nutritious and innovative snacks/beverages. Beginning as an equipment company marketing frozen slush, Cool Tropics changed course in 2008 to put a healthy twist on an old favorite. The result: an easy to serve100% Juice Slush pouch (no equipment required). K-12 was the ideal customer for the color, fun, and excitement of these nutritious new offerings. A perfect fit for menus, field trips, and special events. Smart Snack approved with natural colors and flavors. No sugar added. Branded partnerships with Welch’s and TGIF make Cool Tropics products a trusted family favorite. Find out how to join the fun at www.cool-tropics.com.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Celebrate National Juice Slush Day dancing in the sunshine like nobody’s watching. Sip on delicious juice slush and fire up some inspiration for that great American novel. Run, jump or climb for the joy of it. Sing up to the stars between refreshing tastes or just chill poolside. Share your favorite flavors and stories by using #NationalJuiceSlushDay on social media.
Unique food holidays, such as National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day, give us opportunities to break out of our everyday norm. On November 19th, explore the variety of carbonated beverages with caffeine.
Some people cannot have caffeine due to medical reasons. However, others choose to avoid caffeine for their own reasons. Then there are millions of people like me, who like their caffeine very much. The same is true with the carbonation in beverages. Today’s celebration combines the two of them together.
In 1767, Englishman Joseph Priestly suspended a bowl of distilled water above a beer vat at a local brewery in Leeds, England. His experiment led to the discovery of a method of infusing water with carbon dioxide to make carbonated water. Priestly’s invention of carbonated water is the major and defining component of most soft drinks.
Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Ninety percent of adults in North America consume caffeine daily. Some people notice sleep disruption after drinking beverages containing caffeine. Though, others see no disturbance at all.
Other terms for carbonated beverages include sparkling, bubbly or effervescent. Almost any beverage can be carbonated, though not every beverage should be carbonated. Sodas are the most common caffeinated carbonated drinks, but these days some makers can even add some fizz to cold-brewed coffee. Certain sparkling waters infuse flavors and add caffeine for that extra boost.
Enjoy your favorite carbonated and caffeinated beverage. Pour it over ice for a cold and invigorating refreshment. Invite someone to join you and toast the day. Are you looking for some ways to mix up your carbonated beverage with caffeine? Well, we’ll help you out a bit then.
Wine and soda together is nothing new. It’s a spritzer. Only this time, you’re adding a caffeinated soda to the ice, wine, and garnish.
Ice cream soda is a classic cold beverage and it comes caffeinated. You get the caffeine and brain freeze all in one. What more could you want?
There is a whole line up of rum and cola drinks. Anyone of them is bound to hit the spot.
If you really love your caffeine, just wait. One name brand is combining our favorite hot caffeinated beverage with our favorite carbonated one. Will it be epic? Only time will tell.
Remember to use #CarbonatedBeverageWithCaffeineDay to post on social media.
