Creating your own food coloring can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the right ingredients and simple instructions, anyone can get creative in the kitchen by making their own custom hues of purple. In this blog post, we explore how to make purple food coloring quickly and easily with natural ingredients that you likely already have on hand – no dyes required. You’ll soon be creating beautiful works of edible art in purples ranging from lavender to blueberry for all kinds of dishes. So read on if you want to learn more about this unique way to add a touch of vibrancy to your meals.
Overview Of Different Types Of Food Coloring
When it comes to food coloring, there are two main types: natural and synthetic. Natural food coloring is made from ingredients found in nature such as fruits, vegetables, and spices. Synthetic food coloring, on the other hand, is made from chemicals and additives. While both options can add color to your dishes, there are some notable differences between them.
Natural Food Coloring
Natural food coloring offers a healthier alternative to synthetic food coloring. It is free from artificial additives and preservatives, making it better for your health. Additionally, natural coloring often has a more subtle shade and may not be as vibrant as synthetic options. However, with a little creativity and experimentation, you can achieve beautiful shades that are sure to impress.
Synthetic Food Coloring
Synthetic food coloring is the most commonly used type of food coloring. It offers a wide range of vibrant colors and is typically less expensive than natural options. However, it may contain artificial additives and preservatives that can be harmful to your health. Due to this, some people prefer to avoid using synthetic food coloring in their dishes.
Necessary Materials
Making your own purple food coloring is a quick and simple kitchen project. You only need a few basic supplies:
- Small bowls for mixing – Glass or stainless steel bowls work best as plastic can absorb some of the coloring.
- A spoon, whisk, or fork for mixing the dyes.
- An eye dropper, small spoon, or squeeze bottle to transfer the coloring.
- Buttercream frosting, white cake batter, or another neutral colored base to test the mixed color.
- Red and blue liquid or gel food coloring.
Preparing Your Workspace
Before you begin, gather all your materials and prep your work area. Lay out the red and blue food coloring along with two small mixing bowls, a utensil for stirring, and a dropper or squeeze bottle. Set aside a dollop of frosting, batter, or other white base in another bowl to test the mixed color. Clear some space on your countertop or table to combine the dyes and tweak the shades as needed. Wipe down the surface to prevent stains just in case of any spills or splatters.
Creating Basic Purple
Purple Food Coloring
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Ingredients | Red food coloring, Blue food coloring |
Ingredients (Optional) | White base (frosting, batter, dough), Water (needed for liquid food coloring) | |
Tools | Bowl, Spoon, Toothpick (optional for mixing) | |
Method
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1. Start with equal parts red and blue food coloring. | |
2. Add more blue for a cooler purple or more red for a warmer purple. | ||
3. Mix well until the desired shade is achieved. | ||
Method (Optional) | 4. Add white base for lighter shades or use water to dilute liquid food coloring. | |
Tips
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Use gel food coloring for more concentrated color. | |
Experiment with different shades of blue and red for different purple hues. | ||
Add a touch of black food coloring for a deeper purple. | ||
Safety
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Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling food coloring. | |
Avoid contact with eyes. | ||
Notes |
The resulting purple color may shift slightly depending on the specific food coloring brands used.
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Additional note:
- Brand recommendations for food coloring
- Specific amounts of blue and red for different shades of purple
- Techniques for mixing colors evenly
- Applications for purple food coloring (baking, icing, slime, etc.)
- Troubleshooting tips for achieving the desired color
Light and Dark Variations
Beyond the basic purple, you can lighten or darken the shade by adjusting the ratio of red and blue dyes.
For a pale lavender color, use 3 parts blue to 1 part red dye. The higher concentration of blue creates a soft, delicate purple tint.
To achieve a deep royal purple, use equal amounts of blue and red food coloring. The higher red ratio results in a richer, darker purple.
For an even darker plum shade, shift the ratio to 1 part blue dye and 2 parts red. But keep in mind using too much red dye can make the color become more brick-red than purple.
Tips for Perfecting
It can take some trial and error to create the exact purple tone you want. Here are some tips if your homemade food coloring needs a bit of adjustment:
- If the color is too red or pink, stir in a few extra drops of blue dye.
- If it becomes too blue or periwinkle, mix in a bit more red coloring.
- For a more vibrant or saturated purple, add a little extra of both red and blue dyes.
- If the color seems dull, try switching to gel food coloring which contains more concentrated pigments.
- For a brighter purple, add a touch of yellow dye which will increase the luminosity.
- For a deeper, darker shade, mix the dyes into a tablespoon of black food coloring instead of starting with plain water.
Don’t worry about getting the purple exactly perfect on the first try. Take your time tweaking the hues, and you’ll get a feeling for blending the red and blue dyes into any shade.
Troubleshooting Homemade Purple Food Coloring
Along with issues getting the right hue, you may run into a few other problems when making DIY purple food dyes. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
- If the mixed color seems pale and weak, try using gel food dyes which contain more concentrated pigments than liquid varieties.
- If the dye bleeds or fades when added to frosting or baked goods, add a pinch of powdered sugar which helps lock in the vibrancy.
- If the homemade coloring is too thin and runny, stir in a half teaspoon of cornstarch to thicken it up slightly.
- If the mixed purple has black specks or sediment, strain it through a coffee filter or fine mesh sieve.
Don’t get discouraged if your first batch doesn’t come out perfectly. Adjusting the ratio, switching the dye type, or adding cornstarch or powdered sugar can typically resolve any issues.
Bobby Kelly is a bartender at Molly Magees, an Irish pub in Mountain View. He’s been working there for two years and has developed a following among the regulars. Bobby is known for his friendly demeanor and great drink specials. He loves interacting with customers and making them feel welcome. When he’s not at work, Bobby enjoys spending time with his friends and family.