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- Here’s why Coca-Cola bottles have yellow caps right now (newsbreak.com)
During the Jewish festival of Passover, adherents to the faith implement strict dietary restrictions, most notably abstaining from leavened bread and related leavening agents. In an intriguing adaptation to these ancient dietary laws, Coca-Cola, the iconic soft drink brand, has been offering a special version of its soda that aligns with Passover requisites. This unique batch is distinguishable by its yellow caps, signaling that the beverage inside is kosher for Passover, utilizing sucrose instead of the common high-fructose corn syrup.
Passover, a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar, celebrates the biblical Exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. In 2023, it will be observed from April 22 through April 30. During this period, observant Jewish families meticulously avoid chametz, which includes anything leavened or having leavening ingredients, adhering to a tradition that has been upheld for millennia.
Coca-Cola’s connection to Passover observance is a fascinating merger of tradition and modernity. Originally, Coca-Cola was sweetened with sucrose, a sugar derived from sugar cane or beets, which is permissible during Passover.
However, the beverage manufacturer transitioned to using corn syrup, a more cost-effective sweetener, in the late 20th century. Due to corn being a legume, products derived from it, like corn syrup, are not consumed by Ashkenazi Jews during Passover, making the standard Coca-Cola recipe unsuitable for the holiday.
Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and the desire among Jewish consumers for a Passover-appropriate soda, Coca-Cola in collaboration with Rabbi Tuvia Geffen, reintroduced a limited production of the soda using sucrose, thus making it kosher for Passover. These bottles are easily recognizable not just by the distinctive yellow caps but also by the “O-U-P” certification symbol, an endorsement by the Orthodox Union, a significant certifying authority on kosher products.
There’s a notable consumer enthusiasm surrounding the release of this special Coca-Cola variant, as some aficionados claim a preference for the taste of the sucrose-sweetened version over its corn syrup counterpart. The availability of kosher for Passover Coca-Cola not only caters to the dietary restrictions of those observing the holiday but also appeals to a broader audience looking for a taste of nostalgia or simply a variation from the everyday formula.
As Passover approaches, Jews observing the holiday can add this specially crafted Coca-Cola to their festive tables, blending the observance of age-old traditions with the enjoyment of one of the world’s most beloved beverages, ensuring that the spirit of inclusivity and tradition continues to fizz and thrive in modern celebrations.
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- Here’s why Coca-Cola bottles have yellow caps right now (newsbreak.com)