How To Make Purple Food Coloring | Best Guide & Tips For You

If you are looking to add a bit of spark to your food, look no further than purple. Whether you want to impress your guests at the dinner table or brighten up baked goods for a special occasion, creating vivid purple food coloring at home is simple and satisfying. From natural produce like red cabbage and blueberries to synthetic dyes such as powdered gelatin, there are multiple ways to achieve beautiful shades of color. Read on to learn all about how to make purple food coloring in the kitchen.

What is food coloring?

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Before learning how to make purple food coloring, what is food coloring? Food coloring is a type of pigment used to add color to dishes and baked goods in a safe and edible way. Typically made out of plant-based extracts, food dyes come in many forms such as liquid drops, gel paste, or powdered form. It’s important to note that when using any food coloring, you should always check the ingredients list first to ensure it is free from artificial preservatives and chemicals.

Types of food coloring

When it comes to making purple food coloring, there are two widely used types of dyes. The first is referred to as “natural” and typically consists of plant-based extracts like blueberry juice or red cabbage extract. The second type is synthetic food dye, usually in the form of a powder called Gelatin Coloring. Both kinds can be found in specialty stores or online retailers.

What is purple food coloring used for?

Purple food coloring is used to create a vivid and eye-catching hue in many different types of dishes. It can be added to cakes, cupcakes, cookies, ice cream bases, doughnuts, macarons, popcorn, and more. It can also be used as an ingredient for homemade syrups or sauces.

What you’ll need to make purple food coloring?

Depending on the method you choose, you will need different ingredients. To make a natural food coloring from red cabbage and blueberries, for example, you’ll need:

1 head of red cabbage
2 cups of frozen blueberries
4 cups of water

For a more synthetic approach using powdered gelatin, you’ll need:

2 tablespoons of powdered gelatin
2 tablespoons of boiling water
A few drops of blue food coloring
A few drops of red food coloring

What you'll need to make purple food coloring? — What you’ll need to make purple food coloring?

How to make purple food coloring?

How to make purple food coloring – the natural way

The best way to make a vivid and lasting purple dye is to use two colors together. When you mix red cabbage and blueberries together in a pot with water, the result is a stunning purple hue. Here’s how:

Bring four cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
Slice up one head of red cabbage and add it to the boiling water.
Simmer for 30 minutes until the cabbage has softened.
Add 2 cups of frozen blueberries to the pot and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Let cool before straining the liquid into a storage jar, and discarding the solids.
The dye will last up to 4 weeks when refrigerated in a sealed container.

How to make purple food coloring – the synthetic way

If you are looking for a more accessible and immediate solution to creating purple food coloring, the powdered gelatin approach is an excellent option. Here’s what you need to do:

Dissolve two tablespoons of powdered gelatin in 2 tablespoons of boiling water.
Add a few drops of blue and red food coloring until you achieve the desired shade of purple.
Stir until the mixture is completely blended.
Let cool before using it to dye your food.

These are two easy and reliable methods for how to make purple food coloring at home. Whether you prefer natural or synthetic ingredients, either one will give you the vibrant hues that you’re looking for. So go ahead and add a colorful twist to your recipes now.

Things that affect the purple color of food coloring

The color of your purple food coloring can vary depending on a few factors. For the natural method, the amount of cabbage and blueberries that you use should be adjusted accordingly. If you want a brighter purple, add more red cabbage; for a darker purple, add more blueberries.

With the synthetic method, adding different amounts of blue and red food coloring will affect the overall hue. Experiment with different ratios to find the perfect shade for your creations.

Tips to make purple food coloring perfectly

If you’re using natural ingredients, try to use only fresh and ripe produce for the best color results.
For more intense shades of purple, experiment with different ratios of red and blue food coloring until you achieve your desired hue.
To create lighter shades of purple, add a drop or two of yellow food coloring to the mix.
When using synthetic dyes like powdered gelatin, always be sure to read the instructions on the packaging carefully before use. This will help ensure that you get accurate results every time.
Last but not least, store your homemade purple food coloring in an airtight container in your refrigerator to preserve its vibrant hues for up to one week.

Some recipes that use purple food coloring

Looking for ways to use your freshly made purple food coloring? Here are some delicious recipes that will give you plenty of inspiration:

Purple Velvet Cupcakes – Whip up a batch of cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and dye the batter a light shade of lavender.
Purple Swirl Ice Cream – Create a unique
Purple Sweet Potato Pie – Elevate your pies with a unique twist on the classic dish.
Purple Pesto Pasta – Blend purple ingredients like beetroot and kale to create a stunning pesto, which you can use to dress up your pasta dishes.

These recipes will give you the opportunity to show off purple food coloring in all its glory. So go ahead and try out some of these recipes today. With a little bit of creativity and the right ingredients, you can turn your kitchen into a colorful wonderland.

Some recipes that use purple food coloring

Conclusion: How To Make Purple Food Coloring?

Now you know how to make purple food coloring. Creating your own purple food coloring is an easy process that can be accomplished with a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re using natural fruits, vegetables, or synthetic dyes, understanding the factors that can affect the color of food coloring is essential for achieving the desired results. With a little experimentation and practice, you’ll soon be able to make beautiful shades of purple for all of your culinary creations.

FAQ: Purple Food Coloring

What two food colors make purple?

Get ready to elevate your food game with the perfect shade of purple. Creating this magical hue requires a combination of two essential food colorings. So, grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bring some color to your culinary creations.

What food coloring makes purple frosting?

Mixing Blue and Pink base colors together can produce a vibrant and magical hue that we all know and love as Purple. Despite not being included in the base colors, Purple has managed to find its way into our hearts and wardrobes as a staple color. So, the next time you see something Purple, take a moment to appreciate the artistry that goes into creating this captivating color.

Is there purple food Colouring?

Bring color to your culinary creations with the vibrant hues of LorAnn’s 4-ounce bottle of Purple Liquid Food Coloring. Elevate the visual appeal of your baked goods, dishes, and desserts with just a few drops of this versatile and long-lasting food coloring. Perfect for adding a pop of color to frosting, whipped cream, and more, LorAnn’s Purple Liquid Food Coloring is a must-have in any chef’s toolkit. Get creative and experiment with different shades to make your treats stand out and add a touch of whimsy to your kitchen creations.

How do you dye food purple naturally?

Unleash your inner scientist and create a mesmerizing purple dye with the power of veggies. Boil up some purple cabbage in water using the same method as a red food dye, and prepare to be amazed by the stunning hue you’ll achieve. Get ready to rock your next DIY project or artistic endeavor with this all-natural and unique shade.

How much food coloring does it take to make purple?

With just a few flicks of your wrist, your plain white frosting transforms into a vibrant shade of deep magenta. You watch in awe as you add fifteen drops of electric blue food coloring and 80 drops of fiery red. Your cupcakes are sure to make a bold statement at the party tonight.

Why is purple food good for the brain?

Anthocyanin-rich fruits have been shown to do wonders for the brain. According to Professor Charlton, the antioxidants found in these fruits can sweep up free radicals that could be harming our precious neurons. Plus, they even have the power to tame inflammation in the brain. So not only are these fruits delicious, but they’re also brain fuel.

How many drops of food coloring to make purple?

To create purple food coloring using two colors, blend together equal amounts of blue and red. Begin by adding 15 drops of blue to 80 drops or more of red to achieve the desired hue. Whisk the mixture until the color is evenly distributed.

How to mix food coloring to make purple?

Purple can be created by blending red and blue. It’s important to exercise caution when adding blue initially. Begin with a minuscule amount and gradually increase until the desired shade is achieved.

What vegetable makes purple food coloring dye?

As you may recall from our previous discussion on blue foods, red cabbage can be boiled and concentrated to create a food dye. When the dye is exposed to a basic pH, it exhibits a vibrant blue color (as shown in the image below, featuring the dye and leaves). Conversely, when the pH is slightly acidic, the dye takes on an intense purple hue.

What makes purple foods coloring purple?

Purple foods are rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that play a vital role in preventing and repairing cellular damage. These natural plant pigments create vibrant red and blue hues in select plants. By incorporating antioxidants into our diet, we may reduce the risk of cancer, heart conditions, and neurological disorders.

Dana Packard

Dana Packard is the Chef at Irish Setter Pub. Dana brings over 15 years of culinary experience to her position, and has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the country. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and is an accomplished chef with a passion for creating delicious, innovative dishes.

When she’s not in the kitchen, Dana enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She also loves animals, and has two dogs and a cat that she adores.