People from the Southern United States are adding peanuts to their Coca-Cola.

Southern cuisine features iconic dishes such as fried chicken and pecan pie. One enduring tradition, surprisingly, involves placing peanuts in Coke. Historian Rick McDaniel traces this practice back to the 1920s when shelled peanuts were sold alongside bottled Coke in country stores. Workers would combine them for practical reasons, with McDaniel suggesting that many did so to avoid touching each peanut with dirty hands.

Another theory links this tradition to road trips. During the prevalent stick shift driving era, placing peanuts in the Coke bottle offered a hands-free solution for workers. For an authentic experience, one should choose regular Coke and salted peanuts. Enthusiasts claim that using glass bottles enhances the flavor. Despite its initial peculiarity, this Southern food tradition has persisted for generations, offering a unique blend of sweet and salty flavors that many find surprisingly delightful.