Color Additives, or food coloring, is a dye used to add color to different culinary creations. Food coloring may be found in commercial and domestic products, such as soda, frostings, icings, and sauces. Colorings come in various forms with multiple uses. Synthetic coloring is one of the key elements in food coloring in a majority of commercial products. Others are driven from natural and plant resources without the addition of other elements. Forms of coloring include:
Traditional Liquid Food Coloring is a common color additive found in many stores and is inexpensive to purchase. This type of coloring is water-based, with no additional elements added to the color. Liquid food coloring is common to be stored in a small, plastic drop bottle. It holds a very light coloring when added and will require a higher amount for a deeper color. The water-based dye will require additional thickeners to a recipe if too much is used. The water-based liquid food coloring will thin out, or in some cases, different ingredients if a large amount is used.
Liquid Gel Dye is made from water, glycerin, or a corn syrup base. Liquid gel dye is thicker and will require less when used, holding a deeper color than traditional liquid food coloring. The thickness can sometimes make it difficult to use when working with stiff or thick dough. Gel Paste Dye is made from the same elements found in liquid gel dye and has a deeper color. Both gel types may be challenging to find and are often used when preparing different cakes, frostings, icing, and other confections.
Natural Food Coloring is made from natural and plant-based sources without the addition of glycerine or corn syrup. Commercial, natural food colorings are expensive and difficult to be found in stores. It is also muted and less quality compared to others that do contain synthetic coloring. Powdered dye is a type of coloring that has no water or syrupy base. Without a water content, powdered dye is excellent for making crystal sugar, white chocolate colored confections, macarons, or meringues. It also has a longer shelf life than other types of food colorings used in the kitchen.
- Liquid Food Coloring (aka liquid dye)
- Liquid Gel Dye
- Gel Paste Dye
- Natural Food Coloring
- Powdered Dye
Traditional Liquid Food Coloring is a common color additive found in many stores and is inexpensive to purchase. This type of coloring is water-based, with no additional elements added to the color. Liquid food coloring is common to be stored in a small, plastic drop bottle. It holds a very light coloring when added and will require a higher amount for a deeper color. The water-based dye will require additional thickeners to a recipe if too much is used. The water-based liquid food coloring will thin out, or in some cases, different ingredients if a large amount is used.
Liquid Gel Dye is made from water, glycerin, or a corn syrup base. Liquid gel dye is thicker and will require less when used, holding a deeper color than traditional liquid food coloring. The thickness can sometimes make it difficult to use when working with stiff or thick dough. Gel Paste Dye is made from the same elements found in liquid gel dye and has a deeper color. Both gel types may be challenging to find and are often used when preparing different cakes, frostings, icing, and other confections.
Natural Food Coloring is made from natural and plant-based sources without the addition of glycerine or corn syrup. Commercial, natural food colorings are expensive and difficult to be found in stores. It is also muted and less quality compared to others that do contain synthetic coloring. Powdered dye is a type of coloring that has no water or syrupy base. Without a water content, powdered dye is excellent for making crystal sugar, white chocolate colored confections, macarons, or meringues. It also has a longer shelf life than other types of food colorings used in the kitchen.
