How To Make Natural Food Coloring From Plant-Based Ingredients?

How to make natural food coloring? Well, that’s easy. But the question is, is that necessary? With the growing culinary world, it’s no wonder that people demand a variety of foods. Apart from taste, one thing that attracts consumers to buy food is the appealing color. Color is included in one of the sensory components that can stimulate appetite. Thus people want to try the food. However, food circulating in the market now mainly uses synthetic colors. Data shows a jump in food dyes consumption in the United States by five folds since 1955.

Despite being safe, there are some issues revolving around these kinds of colors. Some of them are cases of health, such as allergies, hyperactivity in kids, as well as cancer. Another reason why people prefer natural edible colors is that they are sustainable.

You can even make safe and non-toxic coloring from vegetables and fruits. But before we know how to make natural food coloring at home, we should thoroughly understand why natural pigments for food are better.

Introduction To Natural Food Coloring

Have you ever wondered why people start making kitchen-made fruit- and vegetable-based food coloring? If you are speaking about the price, artificial ones are affordable. So, that is, perhaps, not the main issue. We argue that most of them consider DIY food coloring as less harmful to their health.

There are many alternative food colorings made of natural ingredients you can try. But before jumping into how to make natural food coloring at home, we would love to walk you through the negative impacts of artificial food colorants and the features of sustainable food coloring that people have started to get interested in.

1. Is Artificial Food Coloring Not Healthy?

When shopping at the supermarket, we will encounter various food products with colorful tones. A high portion of them is occupied by snacks, candies, gummies, beverages, and other confectionery products.

The bright colors, which generally come from synthetic food dyes, are indeed added by manufacturers to attract consumers’ attention. And guess what? The biggest target of those ultra-processed foods is children. No wonder there’s a spike in food dye consumption among children in the US. However, is artificial food coloring safe?

Artificial food colorings are actually under the supervision of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). And thus, they are safe to feature in food. Contrary to this claim, some studies reveal some side effects of these artificial dyes consumption. One of the most interesting is research showing that synthetic pigments promote hyperactivity in kids.

Besides that, some of the artificial colorants also contain cancer-causing contaminants that will stimulate cancer development in prolonged consumption. Some of the food dye products you should be aware of are Red 40, Yellow 5 (tartrazine), and Yellow 6.

Although the contaminants are present in a small amount and are presumed safe by the FDA, many are still concerned about the long-term effects. In addition to cancer, some people show allergic symptoms in response to Yellow 5 consumption. They experience asthma and hives, to be specific.

Moreover, a study reported that 52% of the respondents experienced allergic symptoms, such as hives and swelling. Considering these facts, many shift to kitchen made, safe, and non-toxic food coloring.

2. Natural Food Coloring VS Artificial Food Coloring

Despite having side effects, artificial food coloring is still a favorite among consumers who want intense bright colors for their meals. They are made of synthetic ingredients, such as petroleum and other chemical substances, to achieve the color consumers love.

Besides their striking colors, these synthetic pigments are more stable even when you keep them longer on your kitchen shelf. Moreover, they are affordable and widely available in the market. Artificial food coloring is the best choice for those who don’t have time to make alternative food coloring from vegetables or fruits.

Natural Food Coloring VS Artificial Food Coloring

In contrast to the previous colorant, natural ingredients are the key to natural food coloring. In general, popular ingredients used in the manufacture of natural food dyes are fruits and vegetables.

They are rich in antioxidant pigments like chlorophyll, anthocyanins, curcumin, and carotenoids. Some favorite food color ingredients are beets, kale, spinach, turmeric, red cabbage, blueberries, and carrots. Since they are natural, you can easily make them at home with your kitchen ingredients. Even though it requires extra effort compared to artificial ones, you will get healthier alternative food colorings.

3. Why Is Natural Food Coloring Better?

Given that artificial food dyes share significant negative impacts on long-term consumption, natural food colorants are better and healthier options for attractive and safe-to-consume meals. These colorants are made of plant-based ingredients that not only give you stunning colors but also health benefits.

Their colors come from antioxidant pigments that help tackle free radicals that often cause trouble to your health. Antioxidants also have anti-aging, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammation properties. And if you make natural food dyes from juices, you will also get fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which are excellent for your body. So, natural food dyes are completely safe and non-toxic options for those seeking a healthier and sustainable lifestyle.

4. How Long Natural Food Coloring Last?

Since natural food coloring includes natural ingredients without adding more chemicals, the shelf life is shorter than artificial food dyes. Generally, they will expire around 2 to 6 weeks after storing in the refrigerator, depending on the form and temperature. The liquid homemade food coloring will deteriorate faster. This is because the solvent for dissolving the pigment is water, a suitable medium for growing microorganisms.

Meanwhile, the water in the natural food dyes in powder form has been removed through evaporation by heat. However, both of these products contain ingredients prone to spoilage (veggies and fruit extracts). Suppose you want to make them last longer. In that case, you have to store them in a vacuum container so that there is no contact with oxygen which speeds up the process of product deterioration.

Common Natural Food Coloring Sources

Believe it or not, you can make food colors easily at home with kitchen ingredients! The colors they produce are no less attractive compared to artificial ones. Among all the excellent options, we love to recommend beets as the top list.

Beets contain antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. In beets, this pigment is dark red, slightly magenta. This is because the pH level of the beet is somewhat acidic, causing the color to become lighter. Another alternative to get a natural red color is to use red cabbage. If you want a lighter color, mix in a bit of lemon juice.

Apart from red, you can make several other colors, such as green, from chlorophyll pigment. Kale and spinach are the two favorite vegetables to get this color. They are often added to smoothies with frozen bananas to have a fresh, mouthwatering green color. As for orange with yellow hints, you can opt for turmeric and carrots.

Meanwhile, blueberries are great for those demanding blue or purple tones. If you want to have a lighter lilac, add some beet extract and blend it away. In addition, you can also try charcoal which is now increasingly popular for getting the grayish to black colors, thanks to the mineral content! And for brown tones, cocoa or coffee will be your best bet! But of course, you will feel a bitter aftertaste.

Basic Steps To Making Natural Food Coloring

As we briefly mentioned in the previous section, you can have liquid or powder forms of natural food coloring, depending on your preference. Whatever you want to make, there are some basic steps on how to make natural food coloring at home.

What are those and what things you need to prepare in advance to making natural food coloring?

Choose the ingredients. You can start with thinking about what kind of color you want. If you want red, go with beets or red cabbage. For green, there are several options, including kale and matcha, to try. Meanwhile, blue and orange pigments you can get from blueberries, spirulina, and carrots.
Consider the taste. Knowing the color will be made of natural ingredients, they will also come with their authentic flavor. For instance, beets will leave an earthy and little bitter aftertaste. So, you must find out how to cover the taste when you want to add it to your meals.
Buy them! After choosing natural ingredients, you can now buy them in the market or even harvest some in your garden. Opt for fresh ones if you wish to have liquid natural food coloring and freeze dried or dried ones for the coloring powder.
Make concentrated liquid. It is the first base before we go further. You can use slow-pressed juice as it will give you an intense color. This method also keeps vitamins, minerals, and fiber in the extract. Then, put it into heat. Use medium heat to not destroy the rich contents. For the coloring powder, you can simply blend the dried ingredients and sieve them into smooth powder.

How To Make Natural Food Coloring Powder?

Even though natural concentrated liquid food coloring is easy to apply, the coloring powder has a better stability and shelf life. It is also handy to store. For that reason, many prefer powdered natural food dyes to spice up their food.

If you are one of them, you can try the following step-by-step on how to make natural food coloring in powder form at home.

Choose the ingredients. Some already come in powdery form, like coffee, cocoa, and matcha, so you can add it to your meals anytime. But for veggies and fruits, you must buy them in freeze-dried packs. Thus, they are easily blended with your food processor.
Prepare your food processor. Make sure it is clean and not wet to avoid the powder sticking out in the processor’s walls. Dry processor also allows the coloring powder to last a bit longer. Also, choose a food processor according to the size and number of the ingredients. If you want to blend a tiny portion of fruits or veggies, pick a smaller one.
Add the materials. Put the freeze-dried fruits or veggies of your choice into the processor and blend them until they form smooth powder. Use medium power to prevent excessive heat that potentially destroys the vitamins in the plant-based ingredients.
Sieve the powder. It is necessary to ensure there’s no contaminants or parts of the ingredients left in the coloring powder.
Store the coloring powder in the refrigerator. But before that, you must keep the powder into a clean, dry, and, if possible, vacuum container. It is crucial to prolong the shelf life and make the color stable during the storage.

Tips for Using Natural Food Coloring

As much as you love to make your own natural food coloring, adding it directly to your meal may influence the taste. Besides, the color you get can be intense. Instead of doing that, we highly encourage you to dilute the powder or concentrated liquid with water, milk, or other natural solvents you prefer.

Here are some tips we have prepared for you to boost the color of your food but not overwhelming:

Green – Add one tablespoon of matcha or kale powder you have prepared into a bowl, then offer water with twice the amount of the natural colorant you choose. Blend them evenly and pour the mixture to your frosting, smoothies, or cakes.
Red – If you have beet powder, add one to two tablespoons with two tablespoons of water. You can also replace it with milk. But the color will likely change to a bit pink pastel and lighter.
Yellow/Orange – Either you use turmeric or carrot powder, add a half teaspoon of the coloring powder with ¼ cup of water. Next, boil them with medium heat until they form a paste-like texture. Let the paste cool down before adding it to your food.
Blue – While blueberries are a great option, we recommend adding spirulina powder instead as it is easier to use. You can dilute one teaspoon with water around the same amount or simply add it directly to your smoothies.

Best Natural Food Coloring You Can Buy

If you’re on the hunt for the best natural food coloring options, you’re in for a treat! Natural food coloring has gained immense popularity as a healthier alternative to artificial dyes, allowing you to add vibrant colors to your recipes without any guilt. With a wide variety of choices available, you can unleash your creativity in the kitchen and create visually stunning dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

When it comes to selecting the best natural food coloring, quality and ingredients matter. Look for brands that offer products made from natural sources like fruits, vegetables, and plant extracts. From beetroot powder to turmeric and spirulina, there are countless natural ingredients that can provide vibrant colors to your culinary masterpieces.

Make sure to choose products that are free from artificial additives and allergens, ensuring a clean and natural coloring experience. With these fantastic natural food coloring options at your disposal, you can elevate your dishes and delight your taste buds while embracing a healthier approach to cooking and baking.

1. Suncore Premium Midori Jade Matcha

GET Suncore Premium Midori Jade Matcha

Want to make frosting or icing for your birthday cake or cookies with natural green color but are too lazy to get up and make one? Look no further than Suncore Premium Midore Jade Matcha. Its pastel green color offers natural green that isn’t overwhelming.

Even though it’s a little pricey, costing $37.64 for 3.5 oz, it’s worth it as this product has a variety of uses that compete with its competitors. Apart from being used for bakeries, you can add this matcha powder to smoothies, garnish your dessert, and make afternoon tea.

What We Love:

This is a vegan-friendly product with no GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) ingredients, a perfect pick for those who pay attention to ethics in the product. In addition, it is a one-in-a-package product you can add to your beverages and meals.