>> My wife asked me if I could find out why so I did a quick google
>> search but didn't find anything relevant.
>>
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Posted - 01/14/2004 : 10:44:45
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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.