A parent was left completely confused after their children returned home from their grandparents’ house with a packet of peanuts and a bottle of Coca-Cola. The kids insisted they had been shown the “right” way to enjoy the drink—by pouring the peanuts directly into the Coke before drinking it. It sounded so unusual that the parent couldn’t understand why anyone would do such a thing.

As it turns out, this isn’t a new idea at all. Dropping salted peanuts into a bottle of Coca-Cola has been a well-known tradition in parts of the Southern United States for decades. The combination creates a unique mix of sweet, salty, fizzy, and crunchy flavors that many people have enjoyed for generations.

The tradition is believed to have become popular among workers who wanted a quick snack without getting their hands dirty. Instead of eating peanuts separately, they poured them into the bottle and drank the soda while the peanuts floated inside. The salt from the peanuts slightly changed the flavor of the Coke, creating a taste that many people came to love.

Today, the unusual pairing continues to be passed down through families as a nostalgic tradition. Some people enjoy eating the softened peanuts after finishing the drink, while others like the changing texture as the peanuts absorb a little of the soda. Although it may seem strange to those trying it for the first time, countless people consider it a classic combination.

What initially looked like a bizarre habit turned out to be a long-standing food tradition with deep roots in American culture. Sometimes the most unusual combinations survive for generations simply because they bring back fond memories—and for many people, peanuts in Coca-Cola remain a favorite treat worth sharing.