Most people associate orange food coloring with carrot cake or Halloween. But many cultures use oranges to add depth and flavor to dishes throughout the year. How do they do it? Food coloring, of course! You can also use food coloring to liven up boring dishes and make a sad meal enjoyable again, as long as you use natural, healthy substitutes instead of artificial chemicals that are bad for your body and your taste buds. Read on to learn more about how to make orange food coloring at home so you can spice up your diet at any time of year.
How To Make Orange Food Coloring
- Get some orange food coloring. You’ll find orange food coloring at most grocery stores and health food stores.
- If you want your food to be a deep orange, you may need more than one type of orange food coloring. For example, if you want an eggplant dish to be the color of an autumn pumpkin, you may need to add some yellow and red food coloring as well.
- Add the orange food coloring to a small bowl and stir in a few drops of water until the mixture is well blended together and no longer grainy or chalky looking. This will make it less intense than straight from the bottle, but still have that bright color that’s perfect for adding depth to any dish!
- Add the orange food coloring to your dish, or use it in a recipe. You can also use it as a condiment – just add a few drops to hot water for a flavorful drink.
- Eat your food! If you’re not sure how to use orange food coloring, add a few drops to hot water for a flavorful drink. Or add it to your favorite recipe and enjoy!
What Does Orange Food Coloring Taste Like?
1. Make Your Own Natural Orange Food Coloring
The best way to make orange food coloring is to make your own. You can create a natural, healthy orange by mixing together dried lemon peels and turmeric powder. Some people like to use fresh turmeric instead, but it will take more time to dry it out. Once you’ve made your own, store it in an airtight container so it will last for a long time.
2. Use Other Natural Orange Food Coloring Substitutes
You can also make orange food coloring using other natural orange foods like carrots and beets, but keep in mind that the color of these items will vary depending on their age and how they have been prepared. For example, carrots that are very fresh tend to have a more vibrant color than older carrots that are beginning to rot or turn brown on the outside because of exposure to the sun or rain. Carrots that are older may have a duller color as well as a less intense flavor.
3. Use Other Natural Orange Food Coloring Substitutes (cont.)
If you can’t find any fresh carrots or beets, use orange juice concentrate instead. As a bonus, orange juice concentrate is also a great natural source of vitamin C, which is necessary for the body to produce collagen (a protein that helps repair and strengthens tissue) and protect against free radical damage.
4. Use Other Natural Orange Food Coloring Substitutes (cont.)
You can also use tangerine or lemon peel in place of turmeric. Both have milder flavors than turmeric, so they will add some flavor without being overpowering. However, if you are using fresh tangerine or lemon peel, make sure to grate the peel before adding it to your food coloring mixture because grated citrus will release more color than whole fruit.
What Is The Best Way To Make Orange Food Coloring?
- Purchase organic, unbleached, and unbrominated cornstarch.
- The easiest way to make orange food coloring is to mix together equal parts of red and yellow food coloring in a bowl.
- Mix the red and yellow food coloring with a little bit of water in a separate bowl until the mixture is smooth, but still thick enough to pour easily.
- Pour the mixture into a jar or container with an airtight lid (or squirt it from the container directly into another container).
- Add a pinch of salt to help prevent clumping, if desired (optional).
- Keep stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to one year, or freeze for up to two years (if you are planning on using it within that time frame). The longer you store it, the better!
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Making Your Own Orange Food Coloring?
1. You can control the nutritional value of your food.
When you buy orange food coloring from the store, you are paying for artificial chemicals that are not good for your body. But when you make your own, you have control over what goes into the mix and how much of each ingredient is used. This means that you can use natural ingredients like turmeric, ginger root, and carob powder instead of artificial colorings like red #40 and yellow #5. You can also use natural spices like cinnamon or allspice to add a little extra kick to your dishes.
2. It was cheap!
Most natural foods are cheaper than store-bought foods, so it’s easy to save money by making homemade orange food coloring at home. You can make a batch of blueberry muffins in minutes with just a few ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment! It’s also fun to experiment with different recipes that incorporate different flavors and spices. Whether you’re cooking up an amazing batch of muffins or making a batch of homemade orange food coloring, it’s a great way to spice up your diet for the entire year.
3. It’s easy!
There are many different recipes for homemade orange food coloring online, and most of them are very simple to follow. You could spend hours planning out each ingredient and step of the process, but it’s not necessary! Many recipes only require a few ingredients and can be made in less than half an hour. Some even call for just one or two ingredients! All you need is some basic kitchen equipment like a blender or food processor, a pot with water, and some fresh fruit or vegetables. There are even online quizzes that will guide you through the process step-by-step so that you can make your own at home in no time at all!
4. It’s healthy!
Orange food coloring is a great way to add some extra flavor to your favorite dishes without adding artificial chemicals to your diet. Natural ingredients are generally healthier than artificial chemicals, and orange food coloring is no exception. Turmeric, ginger root, and cinnamon are all-natural ingredients that can help boost the health benefits of your foods. Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic healing for centuries and has many health benefits like reducing inflammation and protecting against cancer. Ginger root has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine as a natural painkiller, anti-inflammatory, and digestive aid. Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant that also helps with weight loss by helping you feel full longer after eating smaller portions of food. You can also find other natural additives such as carob powder or xylitol to sweeten up your foods!
Conclusion
Natural food coloring is a great way to add a pop of color to your food without having to worry about chemicals. Orange coloring is one of the most popular options since it’s great for baked goods, poultry, and seafood. You can use oranges, apricots, or orange marmalade to create orange coloring. These fruits will provide you with the vitamins you need to stay healthy, and they can be prepared in many different ways.
