Southern cuisine boasts iconic dishes like fried chicken and pecan pie. Surprisingly, one enduring tradition stands out: putting peanuts in Coke. Rick McDaniel, a historian, traces this practice back to the 1920s. Shelled peanuts were sold with bottled Coke in country stores, prompting workers to combine them for practical reasons. McDaniel suggests, “Many workers… started dumping peanuts in the Coke to avoid touching each one with dirty hands.”
Another theory connects it to road trips. With stick shift driving prevalent, placing peanuts in the Coke bottle provided a hands-free solution for workers. For the authentic experience, opt for regular Coke and salted peanuts. Glass bottles enhance the flavor, as Coke enthusiasts claim. Despite seeming peculiar, this Southern food tradition has endured for generations, offering a unique blend of sweet and salty that many find surprisingly delightful.