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Barbie Isn’t the Only Reason to Love Pink

The unexpected history of pink lemonade, how scientists are saving endangered pink iguanas, and a guide to the prettiest pink travel destinations in the world.

Corrie Evanoff

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

Nothing against indulging in your inner Barbie girl, but there are plenty of great reasons to celebrate the vibrant color beyond its association with Barbiecore. Keep reading for a selection of stories with a rose-colored focus, from how to predict a perfect pink sunset to the history of pink as a form of protest.

Image by Iryna Veklich/Getty Images

Pink Lemonade’s Origin Story Begins With a Disgruntled Circus Clown

The dye from a circus equestrian’s red tights tinted the first batch of pink lemonade, according to former clown Pete Conklin’s account.

Why Are Doughnut Boxes Pink? The Answer Could Only Come Out of Southern California

Everyone in Los Angeles knows what comes in a pink box: doughnuts. But the story behind those boxes is seldom told.

How Pink Became Fashion’s Colour of Controversy: A Brief History

From Madame de Pompadour to punks and pussy protest hats, pink has always been the colour of choice for those who dare to make a statement.

How Pink Salt Took Over Millennial Kitchens

It’s not healthier for you. It doesn’t technically come from the Himalayas. But pink salt’s appeal has exploded nonetheless.

The Most Beautiful Pink Places to Visit Around the World

From pink beaches and lakes to fairy-tale castles.

Death by Pink: When Nature’s Most Cloying Color Spells Doom

Out in the wild, there’s good cause to fear the color pink.

Pink Iguana Hatchlings Spotted for the First Time on the Galápagos in Decades

Hatchling and juvenile populations of the Galápagos Pink Iguana were found in late last year, for the first time since scientists found the species.

What Happened to the Bay Area’s Beloved Pink Popcorn?

How a favored nostalgic treat with a cult-like following met its untimely demise.

Pink May Be Earth’s Oldest Color. Here’s How It Took Over the World.

Pink—which may go back over a billion years—was once the color of fierce ancient hunters, powerful French women, and yes, boys.

How to Predict the Perfect Pink Sunrise

“Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.” The adage is often correct. When you can forecast it, you can position yourself to capture a beautiful sunrise.

The Girl Who Smelled Pink

A mother wonders if we are all born with synesthesia.

The Importance of the Color Pink in Latin American Architecture and Design

From Mexico to El Salvador to Brazil, pink is ubiquitous, and there are compelling reasons as to why.

The Art and Science of Kashmir’s Pink Tea

Green tea becomes rosy with the addition of a special ingredient.

BONUS READ: Why Pink is The Most ‘Divisive’ Color

So many thoughts on the complicated history of — and feelings about — this hue.