Food Colors Recipe

How to Make Food Colors

1. **Red Food Coloring (Beet Method):**
2. Cover 1 cup of fresh beets with 2 cups of water in an enamel or glass saucepan.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until beets are tender (about 20-25 minutes).
4. Remove beets from the pot, cool slightly, peel, and chop.
5. Return chopped beets to the cooking liquid and let steep for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
6. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth; measure out ¾ cup of the beet juice.
7. Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the beet juice (this helps preserve the color).
8. **Red Food Coloring (Cranberry Method):**
9. Combine 1 cup of cranberries and 1 ½ cups of water in a saucepan.
10. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours, mashing cranberries frequently.
11. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
12. **Yellow Food Coloring (Onion Skin Method):**
13. Gently remove the outer skins from 5 medium yellow onions.
14. Combine onion skins and 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
15. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the liquid is a deep yellow.
16. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
17. **Yellow Food Coloring (Flower Method):**
18. Combine 1 cup of daffodil, acacia, or crocus blossoms (ensure they are edible) with 1 ½ cups of water in a saucepan.
19. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
20. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
21. **Blue Food Coloring (Red Cabbage Method):**
22. Combine ½ medium head of chopped red cabbage and 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
23. Simmer, covered, until the cabbage is tender and the liquid turns dark green-blue (about 15-20 minutes).
24. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
25. **Blue Food Coloring (Blueberry Method):**
26. Combine 1/2 cup fresh or canned blueberries and 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
27. If using fresh berries, simmer for 30 minutes, mashing occasionally, for a darker shade.
28. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
29. **Purple Food Coloring:**
30. Allow ½ cup of fresh or frozen blackberries to thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.
31. Blend the blackberries for 30 seconds.
32. Strain the resulting puree through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
33. **Green Food Coloring (Red Onion Skin Method):**
34. Gently remove the outer skins from 5 medium red onions.
35. Combine onion skins and 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
36. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
37. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
38. **Green Food Coloring (Plant Method):**
39. Combine 1 cup of clean grass clippings, spinach, or moss with 1 ½ cups of water in a saucepan.
40. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
41. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
42. **Brown Food Coloring:**
43. Combine 1 cup of strong brewed coffee or 10 tea bags with 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
44. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
45. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.