How To Make Purple Food Coloring? Easily And Quickly

Are you looking for an interesting and unique way to add some extra vibrancy to your cooking? Look no further than learning how to make purple food coloring. Not only will it give your dishes an eye-catching, show-stopping look but also provide a healthier alternative over traditional store bought food dyes. In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of making homemade purple food coloring using everyday kitchen ingredients so you can start creating beautiful culinary creations today.

What is food coloring?

Food coloring is a natural or synthetic dye that adds color to food and drinks. It serves as both an aesthetic enhancement and a preservative, helping keep food looking fresh for longer periods of time. Whether you’re wanting to add a little bit of pizzazz to your dinner table or just simply want to change the hue of something in your baking session, food coloring can be your go-to tool.

–> More watching video: How to Make Natural Food Coloring

Origin of food coloring

Natural color additives from vegetable and mineral sources were used to color foods, drugs, and cosmetics in ancient times. William Henry Perkin discovered the first synthetic organic dye, mauve, in 1856. Federal oversight of color additives began in the 1880s with butter and cheese being the first foods allowed to use artificial coloring. By 1900, many food items, drugs, and cosmetics available in the US were artificially colored despite some of these dyes being known to be poisonous or carcinogenic.

Different types of food coloring

There are several different types of food colorings, each with its own specific purpose and use.

Traditional liquid food coloring (liquid dye)

Traditional liquid food coloring (liquid dye) is an inexpensive option and best used for a lighter tint. It can take a few bottles to create a rich, vibrant color, but only a drop of color for pastel shades. Liquid food coloring is usually made with synthetic dye in a water base and typically sold in small plastic squeeze bottles. This type of coloring is ideal for beginners, as it allows you to add as many or as few drops of color until you reach the desired hue.

Liquid gel dye

Liquid gel dye is a synthetic food coloring with a thick, gel-like consistency. It is more concentrated than traditional liquid dye, and creates vivid colors when used. This type of food coloring works best for icings and candies, but can be difficult to find in stores and spread evenly into doughs.

Gel paste dye

Gel paste dye is a concentrated gel that is sold in specialty stores and comes in pots or jars. It is made out of synthetic coloring with a water, glycerin, or corn syrup base. A toothpick should be used to collect the paste due to its thick consistency. It tends to splatter and can be difficult to work into dough, making it difficult for trial and error.

Natural food colorings

Natural food colorings are a great option for those avoiding synthetic dyes. They are available in small dropper bottles and come from plant sources such as saffron, turmeric, carrot juice, and beets. These natural food colorings are ideal for anyone with an allergy to synthetic dyes. They can be difficult to locate but they can be ordered online quickly. When used drop by drop, natural food colorings offer subtle, earthy hues.

Powdered dye

Powdered dye is a synthetic coloring with no water, glycerin, or corn syrup and is sold in jars of totally dry powder. It can be used by adding a pinch of the powder to a dry mixture, combining it with clear alcohol for a paint-like consistency, or dusting onto food items for a gentle finish. Powdered dye is best used in recipes that are sensitive to added liquid such as chocolate or macarons; however it should be used sparingly as it can produce a very dark color.

Can you make purple food coloring?

Absolutely. To make purple food coloring, add fifteen drops of blue food coloring and eighty drops of red food coloring. Blend the colors thoroughly.

How to make purple food coloring natural?

Now, let’s exploring how to make purple food coloring? Combine 2 cups blueberries and 1/4 cup water in a small pot. Simmer until the berries burst and break down, then mash with potato masher. Strain liquid, discarding solids; reduce to 1/4 cup. Transfer liquid to jar and cool completely. Add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon purple color to 1 cup of royal icing.

In addition, there are some simple ways to make purple food coloring that you can refer to. For example:

Beet Juice

Beet juice is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to make purple food coloring naturally. Simply blend a few ripe or cooked beets in a blender and strain out the juice with a cheesecloth or sieve. This will give you a lovely, deep, vibrant hue that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Blueberry Juice

Blueberries are a great source of natural colorants that can be used to create a variety of shades, including purple. To make blueberry-based purple food coloring, simply blend fresh blueberries and strain out the juice with a cheesecloth or sieve. This will give you a beautiful, dark shade that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Grape Juice

Dark grapes are an excellent source of natural purple food coloring. Simply blend fresh or frozen dark grapes in a blender and strain out the juice with a cheesecloth or sieve to get a beautiful hue that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Elderberry Juice

Elderberries are a great source of natural purple food coloring as well. To make elderberry-based purple food coloring, simply blend fresh or frozen elderberries and strain out the juice with a cheesecloth or sieve to get a beautiful hue that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Purple Cabbage Juice

Purple cabbage is another great source of a natural purple food coloring. To make purple cabbage-based food coloring, simply shred about 1/4 of a head of purple cabbage and boil it in 2 cups of water for 5 minutes. Strain out the liquid with a cheesecloth or sieve and transfer to an airtight container. This will give you a deep, vibrant hue that is perfect for decorating cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Benefits of making your own natural purple food coloring

Making your own natural purple food coloring is not only easy and fun but also offers some great health benefits. Natural food dyes are free of harmful chemicals, so you can be confident that the colors you’re using are safe to consume. Plus, they contain beneficial vitamins and minerals that can offer a variety of health benefits.

In addition, making your own natural purple food coloring is an easy and affordable way to create a unique look for your baked goods. The colors you can create are often more vibrant and intense than those from store-bought dyes, so you’ll be sure to impress with the final result.

What to avoid when making natural purple food coloring?

When making natural purple food coloring, it’s important to avoid using too much of one ingredient. For example, if you’re using beet juice as the base for your colorant, don’t use more than 4 tablespoons per cup or half-cup of icing sugar as this can result in a slightly bitter flavor.

Additionally, it is best to avoid using too much white or black food coloring to lighten or darken the hue as this can cause your colorant to become murky and dull. It’s best to use a small amount of both colors until you find the desired shade.

Tips to get the perfect shade of purple food coloring every time

Now know how to make purple food coloring, it’s time to perfect the art. To get the perfect shade every time, here are some top tips:

• Mix fifteen drops of blue and eighty drops of red food coloring to achieve basic purple. Blend the colors together thoroughly. Make use of the mixture when necessary.
• Always start with a small amount of the two colors you want to combine and then gradually increase until you reach your desired result.
• Test out different ratios of red and blue food coloring until you find the shade that works best for you.
• When adding white food coloring to lighten the hue, start with a small amount and slowly increase it until you reach your desired shade.
• Finally, remember that natural food dyes do not last as long as synthetic ones, so if you are looking for a longer-lasting color then invest in store-bought dyes.

How to use purple food coloring?

Purple food coloring can be used to add a vibrant pop of color to all types of desserts, from cakes and cupcakes to macarons and cookies. It is also great for adding an eye-catching hue to icings and frostings.

In addition, it can also be used as a dye for fondant or marzipan, perfect for creating custom-colored decorations for cakes or cupcakes. It is also a great way to add a touch of color to drinks, like lemonade or smoothies.

Recipes using natural purple food coloring

If you’re looking for some delicious recipes to make using natural purple food coloring, then why not try the following:

• Purple Velvet Cupcakes: These cupcakes are perfect for any special occasion. Start by mixing together beet juice, blueberry juice and a pinch of purple cabbage in a blender until smooth. Once blended, pour the mixture into the cupcake batter and bake until golden.
• Purple Macarons: These delightful macarons are sure to be a hit with your guests. Start by making a batch of royal purple colorant by blending together elderberry juice, blueberry juice and a dash of black food coloring in a blender. Once blended, mix the colorant with the meringue batter and pipe into circles onto a baking tray. Bake until firm and enjoy.
• Purple Iced Tea: This refreshing beverage is perfect for hot summer days. Start by blending together elderberry juice, blueberry juice and a teaspoon of white food coloring in a blender until smooth. Pour the mixture over ice and add some freshly squeezed lemon juice for a delicious and colorful iced tea.

How to store purple food coloring?

Once you’ve made your natural purple food coloring, it is important to store it correctly to ensure it stays fresh and vibrant. The best way to do this is by transferring the colorant into an airtight container and storing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will help preserve the color for up to two weeks.

It is also a good idea to label the container with the date of creation so you know when it was made. This will ensure you always have the freshest colorant available when needed.

Conclusion: How to make purple food coloring

Making your own natural purple food coloring is an easy and affordable way to add a vibrant hue to all types of desserts. By getting creative with different ingredients, you can achieve the perfect shade of purple for any occasion. Furthermore, by following the guidelines on how to store it correctly, you can ensure that your colorant stays fresh for up to two weeks. So why not give it a try and create something delicious today.

FAQs Purple food coloring

Does purple food coloring require special ingredients?

Creating a purple food coloring can be done by mixing red and blue food coloring into a white frosting or batter. Liquid-based food coloring needs more tint to reach the desired shade. Gel-based food colorings are more concentrated, so they require less. Blueberries can serve as an alternative for homemade purple coloring.

Is purple food coloring safe for consumption?

Food dyes, such as purple food coloring, are generally safe to consume. For some individuals, allergic reactions and hyperactivity in children may occur due to their consumption. Most food dyes are found in unhealthy processed foods so it should be avoided.

How many drops of red and blue food coloring to make purple?

To create purple food coloring, use a ratio of 15 drops of blue to 80 drops of red.

What vegetable makes purple food coloring dye?

Purple food coloring dye can be made by boiling purple cabbage in water. To get a darker color, the leaves should be torn into pieces. Extra purple dye is needed to make blue dye.

What two colors make purple food coloring?

To make purple food coloring, combine 15 drops of blue and 80 drops of red food coloring. Blend the colors together thoroughly. Use the mixture when desired.

How do you make purple without food coloring?

Creating purple without food coloring can be achieved with blueberries and water. A quarter cup of blueberries, either fresh or frozen (thaw and drain if frozen) is needed. Two teaspoons of water are also required.

What 5 colors make purple food coloring?

To make purple food coloring, mix 15 drops of blue and 5 drops of red in a small bowl. Adjust the color by adding more red or blue food coloring, as needed.

Does purple and yellow make purple food coloring?

Purple food coloring cannot be achieved by mixing purple and yellow. Purple is a mix of blue-violet and magenta. Yellow is the complementary of blue-violet on a colour wheel, and will mix black when combined. Yellow will ‘grey’ the mixture towards brown, resulting in a color other than purple.