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It’s great to reduce food waste -

If you weren’t already on board, creating your own natural food dyes is a great way to reduce food waste because you can use scraps or leftovers. Plus, you won’t be buying the plastic food coloring containers!

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The method -

Because you’re not using chemicals, the trick to getting as vibrant a color as possible is to start with the most concentrated base you can. You can do that with two main methods.

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The powder method -

Powders are the easiest method because they dissolve and are already somewhat concentrated. You can buy powdered ingredients, or you can buy freeze-dried fruits and veggies and turn them into a powder yourself in a food processor or spice grinder.

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The liquid method -

The second method is to create a concentrated liquid, which you can achieve by using a juicer, or straining a purée (first simmer, then blend, then strain). Whichever you choose, you have to reduce it to get rid of excess water and create the most concentrated color possible.

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And now, the color guide -

Sources for natural colorings can be found where you least expect, and many may already be in your pantry or fridge.

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Pink -

If you want to achieve a pretty pink hue, the best dyes to use are strawberries and raspberries.

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Red -

For a deeper, stronger color, beets and cherries do a great job.

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Orange -

Carrots, paprika, and yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes can be used to achieve a great orange color, and they each can go well with both sweet or savory dishes.

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Yellow -

For a vibrant yellow and a nice boost of anti-inflammatories, saffron and turmeric are the go-to dye ingredients.

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Green -

Spinach, matcha powder, and spirulina are healthy and energizing ways to dye your food green. Plus, the latter two already come in powdered form!

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Blue -

Boiling sliced red cabbage, straining it, and letting it simmer will present a deep purple liquid. Add a tiny bit of baking soda and it’ll turn a beautiful blue!

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Purple -

Despite their name, blueberries will actually produce a more purple color, along with purple sweet potato or yam, also known as ube, the latter of which can also be bought in powder form.

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Brown -

Coffee, tea, and cocoa will easily do the trick if you’re looking for a more brown color, and in fact they go great in icing for desserts.

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Black -

If you can’t get your hands on squid ink, the more readily available option is activated charcoal, which has become a favorite in ice cream trends.

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Peach -

Boiling the seeds of avocados can actually draw out a warm peach color.

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Things to watch out for -

Heat can play a role in how some of these colors transform. For example, using a natural food dye in icing may look different when you use the same dye in cookies that come out a little more brown and dull.

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Things to watch out for -

Because you’re not using chemicals, these dyes may retain a slight flavor. Fortunately, that can often be a great addition that turns a regular recipe into a gourmet one. But when mixing sweet and savory, you’ll want to match flavors carefully.

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Colorful recipe ideas -

There is so much you can do with frosting alone, but even beyond that there are tons of ways to incorporate more color into your cuisine.

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Dips to die for -

Boring old hummus will never look the same again.

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Spooky buns -

You can always bet on activated charcoal for some spooky bakes.

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All the unicorn everything -

Get the kids involved in creating all their rainbow-filled desires.

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Brighten up your mornings -

There's nothing like a burst of color with breakfast! These rainbow pancakes are easier than they look.

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Colorful cocktails -

Or non-alcoholic beverages! The tints put the drinks over the top and add to the overall enjoyment.

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Boost your bagels -

Homemade bagels became a huge trend over the pandemic, but now that the secret is out on how easy they are, level up with some playful hues.

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Pasta of all shapes and sizes -

Ravioli, linguine, spaghetti—whatever flour-and-egg-based mixture you're whipping up can always do with a splash of color.

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Colorful cookies -

Whether they're mint chip or sweet matcha, green cookies look weirdly appetizing.

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Unlocking the potential of cheese -

Melting cheese down with some food coloring opens up a world of possibility (think: pizza, macaroni, grilled cheese, etc.).

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Rice doesn't have to be white -

There has already been a rise in rainbow sushi, but that's just the tip of the iceberg of possibilities.

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Take it one step further -

Natural food dyes can also dye fiber such as yarn, clothing, and pillowcases.

Sources: (Food 52) (The Spruce Eats) (Edible LA)

See also: The benefits of the rainbow diet

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