You may have recently spotted Coca-Cola bottles with yellow caps instead of the usual red caps on grocery store shelves, and it’s because it is that time of the year when the popular drink’s packaging gets a pop of color for the Jewish holiday, Passover. This year, the holiday takes place from Wednesday evening, April 1, through the following Thursday, April 9.
Those who observe Passover generally avoid eating foods that are made from barley, rye, wheat, oats or spelt. Eastern European Jews of Ashkenazi descent, which is most of the Jewish population, also typically avoid legumes and corn.
This is the reason why every Passover, Coca-Cola makes batches of its soda with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, one of its main ingredients. Coca-Cola is technically Kosher year-round but not Passover-friendly. The yellow cap is put to tell those observing the holiday that the soda is safe to drink.
According to Chabad.org, “Passover (Pesach) commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus. In Hebrew it is known as Pesach (which means “to pass over”), because G‑d passed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover eve.”
{{/usCountry}}According to Chabad.org, “Passover (Pesach) commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus. In Hebrew it is known as Pesach (which means “to pass over”), because G‑d passed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover eve.”
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The change in the brand formula
This change in the soda brand’s formula actually dates back to 1935. At the time, Atlanta rabbi, Rabbi Tuvia Geffen, urged Coca-Cola to release a version of their drink that could be consumed during Passover, per The New York Times.
These yellow-capped bottles are released every spring. However, one can enjoy his high fructose corn syrup-free soda year-round. It is known as Mexican Coke, which is sweetened with cane sugar, but it is usually sold in small glass bottles and is much more expensive.
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Many have taken to social media to remind Coke fans that this is time to stock up the cheaper version of Mexican Coke. “This is my annual reminder that right now is the time to stock up on Coca-Cola…” one TikTok user said.
“Look at these yellow caps, very exciting,” another wrote.
“The best kept secret happening for the next two weeks…” said someone else.