If you are the type of person who likes beautiful and different dishes, but always prioritizes healthy foods, natural dyes are perfect for you.
A colorful and beautiful dish makes all the difference not only for whoever is cooking but also for whoever is eating. And dyes are largely responsible for giving dishes that colorful touch. However, unfortunately, many of them contain chemicals and substances that are not so good for our bodies. However, know that there are other options. Natural dyes can season and make your recipe even tastier.
Natural dyes can be found in the most diverse roots, ranging mainly from green, yellow, orange, red and purple. But besides food, they can also be used in many other ways. As well as painting on paper and/or canvas, to dye fabric, to add color to soaps and other homemade cosmetics and even homemade play dough for children.
Natural Dye Options
The colors of natural dyes will depend on the ingredients you use. Therefore, we will list color by color so that you can choose which ingredient of which color you like best.
1- Verde
Greenish tones can be achieved through:
1.1 Spinach
First boil and then blend in a mixer or blender. However, you can extract its color first by grinding the leaves with a pestle.
1.2 Parsley
Crush with a pestle until you obtain a homogeneous mixture, or blend in a blender or mixer with a little water.
1.3 Request
The preparation method is the same as the previous ones.
1.4 Matcha Tea
This is a convenient dye because it is ready to use, just buy its powder variant.
1.5 Seaweed
Some algae are particularly suitable for becoming dyes. Just soaking and then crushing the nori seaweed or directly using spirulina powder (but keep in mind that this green will have shades of blue) is enough.
2 – Red
For red, you can use:
2.1 Strawberry
In this case, first cook the fruit for a few minutes and then mash and drain. This way, you will only have the red liquid.
2.2 Tomatoes
First, remove all the seeds. Then, blend it in a blender using the fruit juice itself.
2.3 Cherries
Remove the core and blend the fruit in a blender or mixer.
2.4 Red pepper
Blend the pulp, strain and cook until it becomes a little thicker.
2.5 Paprika
You can buy this ready-made.
3 – Rosa
Pink dye is easily extracted from a very common vegetable:
3.1 Red cabbage and lemon
When these two substances mix, they turn magenta pink. You can mix them in a mortar or blend.
4- Yellow
Natural yellow dyes can be found in:
4.1 Turmeric
Already offered in powder form, it can be used as a dye without changes.
4.2 Pineapple
The best way is to grind. This ensures that no whole pieces of fiber remain.
4.3 Yellow pepper
First of all, puree the pulp without the seeds. Therefore, pass it through a sieve and cook the strained part to make it a little thicker.
5- Orange
To get the orange color, prioritize the following foods:
5.1 Paprika
Upfront, this powdered seasoning is naturally orange and can be used as a coloring.
5.2 Carrots
On the other hand, carrots need to be cooked in boiling water and then blended.
5.3 Oranges
You can use its peel finely grated or blend the peel in a little water.
6 – Azul
To obtain the blue color in your recipes, choose:
6.1 Blueberries
The berries must be beaten, filtered and then placed on low heat. This way, you will have a thick and tasty juice.
6.2 Red cabbage + bicarbonate
First, puree the cabbage, then strain it and then use only the liquid part. So, gradually add pinches of baking soda until the color turns blue.
7- Violet
For the violet color, use:
7.1 Beetroot
This vegetable, cooked or raw and blended, gives an excellent color ranging from purple to burgundy.
7.2 Blackberries or mixed berries
Mix blackberries or blueberries, currants, strawberries, cherries, etc. to calibrate the color according to the tone you want to obtain by adding more raspberries, blueberries, strawberries or blackberries. Then filter everything and cook for a few minutes over low heat.
8- Brown
Brown coloring can be found in:
8.1 Café
You can use the finely ground powder wherever you need it
8.2 Cocoa
Semi-sweet cocoa powder also works well as food coloring.
9- Therefore
It is not that difficult to find the color black, all you need are the following substances:
9.1 Charcoal
The powder of this natural supplement is dark in color. Therefore, it can be used to make bread, pizza, etc. gray/black colors.
9.2 Black sesame seeds
In short, just take these small dark seeds and grind them until you get powder.
10- Branco
The white color is the most difficult to obtain. If it is a recipe that already has a very strong color, you can try to lighten it with:
10.1 Coco
Basically, use finely grated coconut flour
10.2 Sugar
Definitely refined sugar can make your recipe lighter. Start adding spoonfuls until the desired white effect is achieved.
Benefits of natural dyes
We all know that industrialized products are usually not good for our bodies. Therefore, by opting for natural dyes, you will not only be preventing yourself from harm in the future, but you will also be benefiting your body. That’s because many of them are extremely healthy. Paprika, for example, is rich in vitamin C, acts as an anti-inflammatory, reduces blood pressure and combats anemia. It even generates benefits for cardiovascular health and provides a peaceful sleep.
When you color your recipes with red fruits, you will be ingesting anthocyanins. This substance is capable of preventing the appearance of cancer, has anti-inflammatory action, improves night vision, visual acuity and protects the heart. Furthermore, anthocyanin has no contraindication
According to nutritionists, green vegetables have antioxidant power. Therefore, they improve blood circulation and are rich in fiber. In this way, they also regulate the functioning of the intestine.
Turmeric also has its powers. It is anti-inflammatory and also has the role of preventing cancer. In short, it has antioxidant properties that help prevent cellular aging.
In conclusion, the use of natural dyes is perfect for keeping your diet healthy, colorful and tasty.
After all, did you like this article? Therefore, read also: 3 homemade tips to treat constipation naturally.
Sources: Greenme, conqueryourlife.
Featured image: nosbemestar
