We Know They Are Delicious, But Why Are They Red?

This flatlander ‘from away’ tried Maine red snappers for the first time and they definitely put the hot in hot dog. That might have been the best hot dog (ok, I had three) I have ever had. This is saying a lot coming from someone who has frequented the world-famous Pink’s Hot Dog in Hollywood and has had way too many world-renowned and extremely savory Dodger Dogs.

But Why Are These Famous Maine Hot Dogs Red?

Let’s get right down to it. We already know the why in the ‘snapper’ of the title, and if you don’t, just take a bike of one right off the grill. The education won’t take long. But why red? And really red? My wife and I were actually blown away by how red they are.

Never mind the interior of the hot dog. We’ve heard rumors, and that was more than enough. Naivety is a beautiful thing, especially when it allows you to still be able to enjoy something. But surely the reason behind the red hue must be benign enough.

The exact origins of red snappers are hard to track down, but easily the most famous purveyor of this unique hot dog is W.A. Beans & Sons, a Bangor, Maine butcher that has been in business for 150 years. They’ve been making their hot dogs since 1918 and produced more than four million in 2009 alone. – thedailymeal.com

According to newengland.com, they get their signature bright, vibrant red color from food dyes like red #40, red #3, or sodium nitrite, and are made with an all-natural lamb casing rather than synthetic ones, which delivers a pleasant “snapping” sensation when the hot dogs are bitten into.

It’s that simple. And why the red? FOR MARKETING. And it’s worked for decades, up to this very second while you are reading this very article. Now we know, and there is no need to read further about what it takes to make those snappy casings nor what is used to create the hot dog. Trust me on this one – you will DYE. Bad pun. Head to beansmeats.com to order some red snappers from one of the first to create them and enjoy!