Utilizing Natural Dyes from Vegetables and Seasonings

There are many options pfood color which are sold in the market for beautify the look food. However, using natural dye made from vegetables and herbs more recommended, sbecause natural dyes tend to be safer for consumption.

You can find natural food coloring easily at home. You can use various types of vegetables and herbs as food coloring as well as a natural flavor enhancer.

Various Natural Coloring Materials

There are various reasons for using food coloring. Among them are to make the appearance of food more attractive, sharpen food colors, improve the appearance of food, to provide color variations in food.

But behind the attractive color, artificial food coloring can also affect health conditions. Especially if the dye has not passed the food health test. Studies conducted on hundreds of children show that food colorings and preservatives sodium benzoate can exacerbate hyperactive behavior.

To reduce this risk, natural dyes can be an option. There are various kinds of vegetables and herbs that can be used as natural dyes such as:

• Turmeric for yellow

  If you want to give your food a yellow color, you can use turmeric. In India, turmeric is used as a natural colorant in curry dishes. While in Indonesia, this natural dye is often used to make yellow rice.

• Onion peel for orange

  Although it can't be applied to many foods, you can use the skin of an onion as a natural colorant. Onion peels can give the egg yolk a more orange look. It's easy, you just put the eggs into the boiled water and the onion skin. Cook until cooked until it looks orange. The longer the egg is in the onion peel, the more intense the orange color of the yolk will be. In addition, cooked peppers can also give a deep orange to red color.

• Paprika for red

  Red peppers can be used as natural food coloring for red color. Pepper extract can be used as a natural colorant because it contains capsanthin and capsorubin inside it. In addition to peppers, you can also use raspberries and beets to give food its red color.

• Purple sweet potato and blueberries for purple

  To give your food a purple color, you can use purple sweet potatoes. Purple sweet potato can give food its purple color thanks to the natural pigment anthocyanin. Other fruits that also have this pigment are blueberries. Although the anthocyanin content is only one third of the anthocyanin content in purple sweet potatoes, blueeberries It can also be used to give food a purple color. The trick is to mix 1 cup blueberries and 2 tablespoons of water, then puree with a blender. After that, strain using a fine gauze. Pour filter results blueberries into the food you want to color.

To minimize the risk to health, the use of natural dyes from vegetables and herbs can be an option. Although the color will not be the same as synthetic dyes, natural dyes tend to be safer and have nutritional value.