The Hot Dog is not native to North America

If you are one of those who think that Hot Dogs are a product originating in the United States, I will tell you that this is not the case.

This food, so common today throughout the world, has its origins in the old continent, more than 150 years ago.

Today we invite you to delve into the history of the hot dog, its origin and why it has such a striking name.

A sausage with a city name

History tells us that the sausage with which the current Hot Dog is made arose in the year 1852 when the butchers' union of a German city created a new type to which the name of the city was given: Frankfurt.

It was by no means the first or only German sausage, but it was a new contribution to the long history of that product in that country, a food that had achieved well-earned fame in popular gastronomy.

What made the different?

First of all its shape. Unlike the sausages that existed, this one was slightly curved, which is why a multitude of jokes and pranks with a raised tone and doubtful taste arose.

On the other hand, unlike the whitish, thick, soft and greasy sausages that were previously consumed, these were smoked, rich in spices and presented stuffed in a thin and transparent casing.

Tradition says that to name his new product, the inventor of the Frankfurter sausage was inspired by the Dachshound dog of a butcher friend of his, a very popular breed in that city.

The good butcher, whose name has not come down to us, believed that a sausage named like that would win the hearts of the citizens, contributing to its popularity and sales... and he was not mistaken. The name dachshound sausage quickly took hold in Germany and Austria and was not only sold as such in butcher shops, but also became a favorite dish in restaurants and food stalls.

In fact, the Dachshound Sausage "took the cat into the water" and won a prominent place in the market.

Frankfurter and Hot Dogs

Frankfurt sausage is a meat derivative made from minced pork (although currently there are also turkey and chicken), as well as bacon, pork rinds, water, salt, and spices. Other frequent ingredients in its preparation are also powdered milk, non-meat proteins, antioxidants and preservatives.

Currently this German product is the main ingredient of one of the most popular fast foods in all latitudes. A food that allows us to enjoy it without having to sit in a restaurant while we walk, ride a bike, watch a football game and even dance.

How did the dachshound sausage come to the United States and become the Hot Dog we enjoy so much today? Well that will be the subject of another story.