If You See a Yellow Cap on Coca-Cola, This Is What It Means
Updated: Aug. 14, 2023
The yellow caps only appear on bottles of Coke once a year.
Coca-Cola has been around for what seems like forever. The famous soda pop brand was first introduced in the late 1800s and is still going strong today. No matter how old you are, Coke has no doubt been a part of your childhood. It’s synonymous with crisp and refreshing, and Coca-Cola’s bright red logo is easily recognized the whole world over. It’s an absolute classic!
But have you ever noticed that sometimes, Coke’s bright red bottle cap is replaced with a yellow cap? There’s actually a very special reason for it—to signify the recipe is kosher for Passover.
The Yellow Cap Coke Is Kosher for Passover
If you’re unfamiliar with Passover, it’s a Jewish religious holiday that occurs during spring and lasts for seven days in total. During the holiday, Jewish people are prohibited from owning or consuming leavened foods (known as chametz). These include five main grains: wheat, spelt, oats, rye and barley.
However, it’s common for some Jewish people to recognize another category of forbidden foods (known as kitniyot) that includes corn, rice and beans.
How does all of this affect Coke? While the regular Coke formula is kosher year-round, it contains corn syrup, so it isn’t considered kosher for Passover by Jews of Eastern European descent. Because of this, Coke temporarily replaces the corn syrup in its recipe with sugar. This kosher Coke is marked with a sunny yellow cap!
Why Do People Love Kosher Coke?
While intended for Jewish people who celebrate Passover, these “Original Taste” Cokes are a favorite for many Coca-Cola fans. Plenty of people buy the yellow-capped Coke because they love the flavor or want to avoid high fructose corn syrup.
The best part? These yellow cap Coke bottles are no different in price than their regular recipe!
Kosher Recipes to Serve at Passover
Matzo Ball SoupPassover Seder wouldn't be the same without matzo ball soup! To simplify your day-of prep, you can make the soup ahead of time and pre-mix, shape and store the matzo balls in the refrigerator. From there, heat up the soup and cook the matzo balls just before serving.
(Psst: the secret to making matzo balls as good as your bubbe's is a splash of seltzer water in the batter.)
Passover Brisket
It doesn't get more traditional than Passover brisket. Making a gigantic brisket might seem intimidating, but it's the easiest way to feed a large crowd. If you have time, make the brisket a day or two ahead of time and let it cool completely in the refrigerator. Cold brisket is much easier to slice than hot brisket.
Gefilte Fish
Translated from Yiddish, gefilte fish means "stuffed fish." While recipes vary, it's generally made with a combination of fatty fish, lean fish and vegetables, with matzo meal and egg as a binder. It's important to let the fish balls cool down after cooking them, as they're traditionally served cold. Try the gefilte fish with a dollop of maror.
Orange-Spiced BrisketBrisket is a common centerpiece in Jewish holiday celebrations because it comes from the breast of the cow in the front section, adhering to kosher cooking guidelines. We love the addition of orange juice and warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, giving the rich brisket a festive touch. Hungry for more? Try these delicious Jewish desserts.
Passover RollsThis is one of those Passover recipes that can be used all week long, so don't be afraid make these matzo meal rolls a few times over the holiday. Serve them at dinner with a pat of butter (or nondairy butter) or enjoy them as sandwich bread. They're particularly good for breakfast with cream cheese and lox.
Roasted Herb & Lemon CauliflowerRoasted cauliflower is one of our favorite vegetable side dishes because it's easy to make and it can be seasoned in any way to complement your main dish. When using ground spices, remember to look for spices that are specifically certified kosher for Passover.
Pistachio Baked SalmonRoasting salmon for Passover dinner is a great way to lighten up the meal. The pistachio topping creates a crunchy exterior that tastes great and complements the salmon's soft, fatty texture.
Lemon Herb QuinoaLeavened grains (wheat, spelt, oats, barley and rye) are a no-go for Passover, but quinoa is generally accepted for Seder dinner. Although it looks pretty similar to couscous, quinoa is a seed that's a member of the same family as chard and beets.
Mediterranean Mashed PotatoesMost mashed potato recipes are rich with dairy, so they aren't the best choice for a meat-heavy Seder meal. In this recipe, we use olive oil and lemon juice instead. The oil and citrus dresses the starchy potatoes with the perfect amount of fat and acid to create a creamy consistency without the need for milk.
Lemon-Roasted AsparagusSpring asparagus is so flavorful that it doesn't require a lot of seasoning to taste great. Toss it with a little grated lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper, and this vegetable side dish will pair perfectly with any main you choose to serve at Passover Seder.
Potato KugelNoodle kugel isn't a fit for Passover because the noodles are chametz, but potato kugel is a perfect addition to the holiday table. This potato kugel recipe uses Russet potatoes, which become soft inside but crisp up to perfection on the top layer.
Matzo BreiThis eggy dish is traditionally served for Passover breakfast or brunch. You can make the matzo brei sweet or savory: For a sweet dish, add cinnamon and sugar to the egg mixture and serve it with applesauce or jam. For a more savory spin, add onions, garlic and peppers to the egg and top the matzo brei with green onions and sour cream.
Onion KugelPotatoes aren't the only noodle-free version of kugel! This recipe is similar to a souffle, where the eggs are separated and the whites are beaten until stiff peaks form. That causes the kugel to puff up as it bakes, so the dish looks impressive and tastes light and airy.
Originally Published: April 07, 2021
