Food coloring is usually applied to cake icings, candies, and other delightful treats we can imagine, making them more inviting and appetizing. Food dyes can be natural dyes or artificial water-based colors that are food-safe. Many chefs and even food manufacturers use food dyes as ingredients. You can also do it in the comfort of your kitchen.
Selecting the best food coloring can be challenging, considering the number of available brands in the market. In this article, we provide a buying guide, fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, and a list of our recommended products. Read on as we'll also share an easy red velvet waffle recipe.
Quick List - Top Food Coloring
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
All kinds of food coloring offer to brighten up the food that we prepare. However, their composition can be different. There are two types of food dyes- the natural ones, which are made from fruits and vegetables, and the artificial or synthetic dyes, which are chemically-processed.
Natural dyes are usually made from fruits and vegetables with naturally occurring pigments. They are either pulverized into a fine powder or manufactured into liquid dyes by using only water, no chemicals involved.
Since the main component is real food, natural dyes may also contain flavor originating from the fruit or vegetable. These are also perfect for allergy-free baking since some people are allergic to synthetic dyes.
Some examples are carrots for orange, strawberries for pink, spinach for green, and blueberries for purple. Meanwhile, natural food dyes can be made from edible plants. One of the most common natural food dyes of this kind is turmeric. Its bright golden yellow hue gives chicken or beef curry its iconic color.
Artificial food coloring, on the other hand, is produced with the use of chemicals. This type of pigment usually comes from oil and other similar compounds. They give a more vibrant color and are more cost-effective than natural dyes. They are also designed to last longer in the fridge rather than non-synthetic food coloring.
Be sure to check that the dyes you are using are food-grade and FDA-approved products. You may also consider other food associations such as Europe's LFGB compliance as well as Halal and Kosher certifications, that check if a product is safe for the consumer. Buying food dye from a trusted brand and store is your best bet.
Food dyes are available in different forms such as liquid, gel, and powder. Choosing the right form of food coloring depends on the food that you're going to prepare as well as your "expertise" or skill level in handling food dyes.
Liquid food coloring is the most common type of food dye on the market. It comes in small squeeze bottles in the form of a water-based solution that is perfect for beginners. You usually need only a few drops to achieve the hue you want, especially if you're aiming for a light tint only.
These are often used to color hard-boiled eggs during Easter, and in preparing homemade icing for cookies and cupcakes.
Liquid gel dyes are usually a mixture of water-based coloring and corn syrup. Just like liquid food coloring, they come in squeeze bottles but are thicker and more concentrated. They are more pigmented and can result in a brighter pop of color. These are suitable for red velvet and candy recipes.
However, the downside of using liquid gel is that they are harder to spread out, for instance, when adding color to your dough or batter due to their thicker consistency as compared to the liquid dyes. So expect uneven colors if you don't mix them properly.
Gel dyes are often used for cake batters because a small amount goes a long way. It typically comes in a small jar or pot that can last you a long time, even if you are baking every day. The consistency of gel dyes is somewhere between solid and liquid.
Take note that this type of food coloring is recommended for those who have experience in handling such food coloring. Getting the right hue can be tricky. But once handled correctly, usually with the use of a toothpick, they can offer deep and rich colors and is suitable for making large batches of food.
Most natural food dyes available in stores come in powdered form. They usually contain dried herbs and spices like turmeric and paprika. We recommend using powder dyes in your artisan drinks and frosting only - not much with pastries and bread loaves. It can significantly affect the flavor profile of your desserts.
There are some non-flavored powder dyes available online. However, food-grade powdered dyes are a rare find. They are more suitable for professional chefs or experienced home cooks rather than beginners. Powdered food coloring can be difficult to work with and usually results in dark colors rather than bright ones.
Food coloring dyes come in a small squeeze bottle, a jar, or sachets depending on the type. The usual size of the bottle ranges from 1 oz. to 16 oz. per bottle. You can buy them in sets of 3 to 5. To maximize the shipping cost, purchase enough that will last for future use.
In terms of color, it is a matter of preference. But if you want to produce a confetti of colors, you should get a food color set consisting of red, blue, yellow, and green. Mixing them can help you produce different hues and shades. You can also buy a box with different colors, but such a set is relatively high-priced.
Some food coloring does have an expiration date, while others have none. Whether natural or synthetic, food dyes lose their pigments over time if not cared for properly. Do not store them in direct sunlight and dusty places. Preferably, store them in the refrigerator.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | McCormick Assorted 4-Vial Food Color|4-pc Set | ![]() | Make Your Own Palette With Primary Colors | |
2 | Peotraco Food Color Gel|6-pc Set | ![]() | Thicker Food Coloring for Cake Batters | |
3 | Decor-it Powder Food Color|Orange | ![]() | Add Fun Colors and Flavor to Your Cupcake Icing | |
4 | ACC Flavor it! Liquid Food Flavor and Coloring|Mocha | ![]() | Flavored Food Dyes for the Pinoy Taste Buds | |
5 | Chef Master Gel Food Color|2-pc Set | ![]() | Two Hues Are Better Than One | |
6 | Victor Liquid Food Coloring|Blue Green (19) | ![]() | More Than the Colors of the Rainbow | |
7 | McCormick Culinary Red Food Coloring | ![]() | A Great Way to Start Your Red Velvet Business | |
8 | Wilton Color Mist Food Spray|Violet | ![]() | Spray Paint Food Color to Achieve Ombre Designs | |
9 | Peotraco Food Color Powder|Black | ![]() | Food-Safe Powder Coloring for Thick Batters | |
10 | Green Leaves Liquid Food Coloring|Pink | ![]() | Budget-Friendly Food Coloring for Pinoy Rice Cakes |
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this quad-color set will never disappoint you in preparing your family's favorite desserts and snacks! McCormick, a trusted brand in food flavoring and colors, offers the basic colors- red, yellow, blue, and green that you can use for blending your preferred color palette.
With this pack, you won't need separate droppers since these vial bottles have drop tips to get the dye in a single squeeze. Apply a few drops of red to produce a soft pink or go for more to have a crimson shade. Mix equal parts of green and blue, and a few drops of yellow on your whipped cream to create a teal or turquoise icing.
When you are baking in large batches, it is cost-effective to use a gel-type food coloring so you'll only need a few amounts to achieve even and vivid colors. This way, you can make tiered cakes with a different color per layer. These are the selling points of Peotraco's food gel set.
Packed in a set of 6, this set is ideal for small to medium-sized baking businesses! Besides the four basic colors, it also comes with black and white food gels for monochromatic-themed goodies! You can also mix them together to create unique shades. For example, blend together black, white, and blue to produce marine blue and sky blue shades for a summer-themed cake!
Packaged in tubes, use toothpicks or barbecue sticks to get the right amount of dye. Food dye gels offer rich and deep colors so they work well both in cake batters and the frosting. Grab a pack now and enjoy baking a rainbow cake!
Want to spice up your food presentation? Prepare Instragrammable treats with these powdered food color sprays from Decor-it. Not only they come in bright colors, but they also have flavors to complement the distinct color. They are available in orange, blueberry blue, lemon yellow, green tea matcha to name a few.
Use this powdered dye to lightly dust the cupcake frosting or icing and wait for a few seconds to see the full results- color-filled desserts perfect for celebrations. You can pour them directly into a mixture to get a nice pastel color.
Each bottle containing the powdered food dye is 70 grams, so it can last you for a long time. Keep in mind to spray from a 5-inch distance to get an even distribution of color. Also, remember to store them in a dry area to prevent the dyes from clumping.
Craving for cold treats like ice scramble, homemade sorbetes, or milk-based refreshments known as "sa malamig"? Check out these flavored food dyes that feature sweet flavors that Filipinos love. This Mocha variant is great for tiramisu, coffee bread, and homemade frappuccino as well. You can also make strawberry arnibal for chilled taho!
Available in two sizes, the 30 ml is for family consumption while 1 kg is ideal for parties and businesses. Other variants include chocolate, ube, and pandan. You need a dropper or a measuring spoon to prevent adding too much color and aroma. Also, avoid mixing different food dyes to prevent the overpowering of flavors.
Looking for vivid food color gels in pairs? Go get them from Chef Master. These food coloring gels come in 2 bottles. Choose from six combinations- each consists of contrasting colors. These include blue and red, pink and green as well as purple and white.
These are great for decorating superhero-motif cakes, designing birthday cupcakes for a plantita, or whipping up unique ube crinkles. These food dyes are best used for doughs and cake batters. The high concentration of pigment won't affect the texture of your baked goods.
If you are a color lover, these food dye bottles will tickle your senses. Collect all 24 tints and shades to create rainbow icings and sprinkles. These liquid food dyes from Victor offer a variety of options- from the basic red, yellow, and blue to unique shades of brick red, sunset yellow, and teal or blue-green.
Each color has a different fragrance, not to mention, the products are FDA-approved and do not contain any allergy-causing ingredients like eggs and nuts. The food dyes are also gluten-free and dairy-free, great for those who are lactose intolerant or following a strict diet.
Red velvet baked goodies are a trend today - from cakes, crinkles, cupcakes, and waffles, your imagination is the limit. If you plan to bake in large quantities, whether for business or parties, this McCormick food coloring will be your baking buddy. This 475-mL food dye is more cost-efficient, especially if you only need one color.
McCormick food dyes are also FDA-approved- guaranteed safe for your health! Besides food and beverages, you can also use this dye for arts and crafts- ideal for your hobby or school projects. You can also use it for coloring your Easter eggs as it is also available in blue, purple, green, and yellow.
A spray food color just like this one gives a neater finish to your frosting. Many bakers find such a technique convenient for them as they gain more control with the color intensity. Hence, Wilton's color mist spray is on our list! Achieve an ombre or monochromatic effect in your icing to achieve different shades of violet including lilac and dark purple.
You will no longer need extra bowls to have various icing colors, simply let each spray do the magic! This mist food color is great for cream cheese and marshmallow meringue frosting. Aside from violet, it is also available in an orange variant. It is Kosher-certified too, ideal for those observing Jewish dietary restrictions.
The good thing about food color powders is they do not add more liquid content into your batter or other recipes, giving you a thicker, denser, and creamier consistency. Peotraco's food color powder offers basic hues- red, yellow, blue, and green, plus the neutral black and white. You can blend these colors to produce different tints and shades according to your liking.
Peotraco is a trusted brand specializing in baking ingredients, including food flavors and dyes. These powder dyes are certified by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and FDA's Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). Use these on doughs, cake bases, and beverages to achieve rich and brilliant colors.
If you love supporting local products, this food dye is a way to go! Green Leaves offer affordable and good-quality food dyes that you can use when making colorful steamed puto and pichi-pichi. You can also use them in your "sa malamig" drinks. If you're into arts and crafts, you can also play with these liquid dyes to create multicolored kiping decors and batik shirts!
Green Leaves dye products are water-based, so they are easier to wash than oil-based products. With every purchase from this brand, you get to support the livelihood of our fellow Filipinos as well. Apart from pink, this food coloring is also available in violet, green, yellow, red, orange, blue, and black.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Food coloring is made of two types of coloring agents - natural and artificial. Natural coloring typically comes from organic material like plants, animals, and even bugs. Artificial coloring, on the other hand, are derived from crude oil or petroleum.
Yes, as long as it uses FDA-approved colors. However, it is recommended to use natural food coloring if you want a safer option.
Yes, there are many things you can use as a substitute. Here are some examples of natural veggies and fruits you can boil or juice to get a substitute:
Keep in mind, though, that natural food colorants will give you lighter hues compared to artificial food coloring.
Now that you have an idea of which food coloring to buy, why not complete the recipe by adding-to-cart other ingredients to make a rainbow cake. Below are links to our article reviews about cake and brownie mixes as well as baking chocolates. Give them a read to know more about our buying guide and product recommendations.
Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: McCormick|Assorted 4-Vial Food Color|4-pc Set
No. 2: Peotraco|Food Color Gel|6-pc Set
No. 3: Decor-it|Powder Food Color|Orange
No. 4: ACC Flavor it!|Liquid Food Flavor and Coloring|Mocha
No. 5: Chef Master|Gel Food Color|2-pc Set
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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