The natural world is not filled with an abundance of blue food and just some red, but when the Fourth of July comes around, manufacturers often get patriotic with food coloring. Yes, there are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, watermelons and tomatoes to sing stars and stripes forever, but we seem to like our festive food, uh, a little less healthful. Like tricolor marshmallow Peeps and Goldfish crackers. Here are some of the other flag-waving food we found:
Big Ben's red, white and blue birch beer can be bought at the Amish Country Store in Largo (206 13th St. SW; (727) 587-9657). A favorite in Pennsylvania, birch beer is soda pop made from the bark of birch trees. For Independence Day, Big Ben gives it a a color makeover. $4.99 for a six-pack.
Terra's white, russet and blue kettle potato chips are good for thick dips because they are so sturdy. Serve salsa and you've got the required palette. $4.79 at grocery stores.
Keebler is not saluting America with its red, white and blue Rainbow cookies, but rather trying to capture some of the Spider-Man market. Whatever, the colors work for us. $3.39 a package at grocery stores.
Edy's Limited Edition America's Vanilla ice cream is purely plain despite the three-color swirl. What's more American than ice cream? Look for it on sale for about $3.
Ah, Little Debbie. We can always turn to her for a sugar rush wrapped in festive finery. Have two Stars & Stripes frosted brownies, they're small. And inexpensive. $1.19 for a box of 12. At grocery stores.
Make cherry Kool-Aid ice cubes to float in punch or in clear soda, such as Sprite or Sierra Mist. Five packets of powder will set you back $1. At grocery stores.
Big Ben's red, white and blue birch beer can be bought at the Amish Country Store in Largo (206 13th St. SW; (727) 587-9657). A favorite in Pennsylvania, birch beer is soda pop made from the bark of birch trees. For Independence Day, Big Ben gives it a a color makeover. $4.99 for a six-pack.
Terra's white, russet and blue kettle potato chips are good for thick dips because they are so sturdy. Serve salsa and you've got the required palette. $4.79 at grocery stores.
Keebler is not saluting America with its red, white and blue Rainbow cookies, but rather trying to capture some of the Spider-Man market. Whatever, the colors work for us. $3.39 a package at grocery stores.
Edy's Limited Edition America's Vanilla ice cream is purely plain despite the three-color swirl. What's more American than ice cream? Look for it on sale for about $3.
Ah, Little Debbie. We can always turn to her for a sugar rush wrapped in festive finery. Have two Stars & Stripes frosted brownies, they're small. And inexpensive. $1.19 for a box of 12. At grocery stores.