It is estimated that approximately 2% of the world’s population has naturally red hair. The majority of red haired individuals are of northern and western European ancestry. Western Europe has more red haired people than any other part of the world. Approximately 6% of the Scottish population has red hair while about 10% of the Irish population has red hair, making it the most red-haired country in the world. Red hair prevalence in England is about 4%.
In Africa, red hair has been noticed on the Berber of Algeria and Morocco. Also, Riffians and Kabyles in Morocco and Algeria respectively have red hair among them. Interestingly, Lalla Salma, the Queen of Morocco, is also a redhead. Some Ashkenazi Jews also have red hair. According to some studies, about 3.6% of the Jewish women have red hair while 10% of the Jewish men have red beards.
In Asia, natural red hair is very rare and was historically found mainly among the Tocharians. However, reddish-brown hair is common among Syrians, Lebanese, Jordan, and Palestinians. In the Americas, the emigration of Europeans has influenced the red haired population. Approximately 2-6% of the US population is redheaded, giving the US the largest redhead population in the world at 6-18 million people.
Need a little comfort that only "Mom" can provide? Well, you're sure to feel and taste lots of TLC in each spoonful of our Test Kitchen's classic soothing Mom's Chicken Soup.
- 1 (3- to 4-pound) chicken, cut into quarters
- 4 quarts water
- 3 carrots, cut into chunks
- 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
- 2 onions, cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Chicken base or bouillon cubes to taste, optional (see Notes)
- Rinse chicken under cold running water. In a soup pot over medium-high heat, combine all ingredients except chicken base; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer about 1-1/2 hours, or until chicken falls off bones. Cool slightly, then separate chicken from bones, discarding bones. Return chicken pieces to soup. Add chicken base, if desired, and stir until completely dissolved.
