The enigmatic neon green sweet pickle sauce, an indispensable component of the Chicago-style hot dog, owes its vibrant hue not to nature’s palette but to a dash of blue food coloring. This curious addition, initially intended to enhance the sauce’s visual appeal for advertising purposes, has become an iconic feature of the dish.The enigmatic neon green sweet pickle sauce, an indispensable component of the Chicago-style hot dog, owes its vibrant hue not to nature’s palette but to a dash of blue food coloring. This curious addition, initially intended to enhance the sauce’s visual appeal for advertising purposes, has become an iconic feature of the dish. The tale behind this culinary quirk is as follows: Vienna Beef, the renowned manufacturer of Chicago-style hot dogs, found their relish to be lacking in visual impact for promotional photography. To remedy this, they decided to “paint” it, resulting in the intensely colored concoction that has become synonymous with the Windy City’s beloved hot dog. Beyond its striking appearance, the blue food coloring does not alter the flavor of the relish. However, research suggests that color plays a significant psychological role in the eating experience. Studies by HunterLab have shown that brightly colored foods are often perceived as tastier and fresher, regardless of their actual nutritional value. For many Chicagoans and connoisseurs of their local cuisine, the neon green sweet pickle sauce has become an integral part of the hot dog experience. Its eye-catching hue and delectable flavor have cemented its status as a beloved culinary creation. While artificial food additives may raise concerns among health-conscious consumers, the FDA has deemed several synthetic food colorings safe for consumption. Additionally, the blue food coloring in Chicago-style hot dogs is used sparingly, enhancing only the visual appeal of the dish without affecting its taste. Thus, the neon green sweet pickle sauce remains a testament to innovation and culinary craftsmanship. It offers a delicate balance of crunch, spice, and an unmistakable pop of color that sets the Chicago dog apart from other regional hot dog variations.
If you’re ever in the Windy City, you’ll likely come across a few iconic hot dog restaurants. The Chicago-style hot dog is a regional gem known for being “dragged around the garden” — a phrase that describes the medley of vegetables and spices that adorn the all-beef frank nestled between a poppy seed bun . The array of toppings includes diced white onions, tomato wedges, sport peppers, a dill pickle spear, yellow mustard (definitely not ketchup), a dash of celery salt, and the brightest of the bunch: neon green sweet pickle sauce.
The traditional recipe for the striking flavor, originally developed by Vienna Beef, includes spicy, sweet, finely chopped pickled cucumbers. However, the natural green color of the cukes does not correspond to the final fluorescence of the flavor. To obtain the characteristic vibrant shade, a small amount of blue food coloring is added to the mixture.
Although artificial food additives are a topic of concern among health-conscious consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed several synthetic food colorings safe for consumption. Of course, there’s no need to dress your hot dog with the neon green flavor, especially since the blue food coloring doesn’t affect the flavor. It only enhances the visual appeal of the portable meal. What exactly was the inspiration behind the radiant taste?
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Neon green Relish is more photo friendly
Chicago hot dog in tray – Aqeela_Image/Shutterstock
As the story goes, the folks at Vienna Beef tinted a batch of bland-looking relish to improve its visibility in advertising. “It was done for photography’s sake. The taste was ugly, so they painted it,” Jim Locaciato, Vienna Beef’s Midwest Sales Director, explained to Forbes. The intense hue initially created for promotional purposes became a signature feature of the product and can still be seen on Chicago dogs today. About 80% of the company’s sales are attributed to the legendary neon green variant.
Research over the years has shown that color plays a psychological role in the eating experience. According to HunterLab, color helps us subconsciously dictate the taste, quality and satiety of the food we eat and the drinks we drink. For example, brightly colored foods are often perceived as tastier and fresher, regardless of their actual nutritional value. That’s why, in the minds of many connoisseurs of Chi-Town cuisine, the blue-green flavor just looks (and tastes) better than the regular stuff.
The neon green flavor generously spooned onto countless Chicago-style hot dogs is a testament to innovation and culinary craftsmanship. The famous seasoning offers a delicate balance of crunch and spice in every bite, in addition to an unmistakable pop of color that sets the Chicago dog apart from other regional favorites.
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