Why were pistachios colored red at one time?

Question

Pistachio nuts are my fav and I remember them being red when I was a young child, the color always came off on your fingers. I prefer them without the red color but am just wondering why the color was ever added. God knows,
the red color isnt natural!

Answer 1

Great question! Always wondered that myself!


The first pistachios available to consumers were imported from the Middle East. American importers dyed the shells red, both to disguise staining from antiquated harvesting methods and to make pistachios stand out among other nuts in vending machines.

Until the 1970s, there was no domestic pistachio industry in the United States. California harvested its first commercial crop in 1976. The entry of California pistachios into the marketplace made available nuts with clean, naturally tan shells. California's Kerman variety is also larger in size with a more vibrant green nut color. A small percentage of California's crop is dyed red, not by necessity, but to meet the needs of those consumers who prefer the colorful shell.

Answer 2

I've heard 2 reasons...
1. From Alton Brown on Good Eats, the tips of pistachios redden when ripe and the dye is a way of making the shell appear uniform in color.

2. The dye helps hide any blemishes on the shell.