Why do you experience the so-called “mouth watering” in front of an appetizing piece of cake or a well-prepared cocktail?
The simplest answer is: because we taste food with our eyes even before our palate!
This is why presenting a dish or drink in the right way is important for its success.
In this sense, coloring plays a fundamental role, because colors too (similarly to what happens with smells) guide us in choosing food.
A natural and attractive shade is therefore a sign of healthy, fresh and delicious food. So how to add that extra touch to a food product without altering its quality and organoleptic characteristics?
But above all, are there 100% natural dyes that respect both human health and the environment?
The answer is yes, and we are talking about anthocyanins! Let’s see below what they are, where they are found and what their properties are.
Anthocyanins as natural dyes
Anthocyanins are plant pigments belonging to the flavonoid group and are found naturally in many fruits, berries, vegetables, flowers and leaves in shades of purple, purplish red and blue.
In fact, their name derives from the Greek “antro kyanos” which means blue flower.
They are particularly rich in anthocyanins: aubergines, berries such as blueberries and currants, beetroot, purple and red carrots and especially black grapes.
The greater the intensity of the color, the greater the concentration of anthocyanins in the fruit.
In particular, enocyanin is obtained from black grapes, a completely natural dye derived from grape skins, which we will discuss in the next paragraph.
The beneficial properties of anthocyanins are now well known, in fact they are very precious substances for health.
The main benefits of anthocyanins are:
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-aging
- Anti-free radicals
- Beneficial effect on microcirculation (aid for cellulite and water retention)
- Protective effect of veins and capillaries
- Positive effect on the cardiovascular system
Furthermore, anthocyanins would also have a positive effect on the capillaries of the eyeball, thanks to the beneficial effect they exert on the microcirculation.
What is enocyanin and how is it obtained: wine anthocyanins
As we have already anticipated, enocyanin is the pigment contained in black grapes.
From a chemical point of view, enocyanin is a monoglucoside and the pigments it contains are the anthocyanidins of anthocyanins.
This natural dye therefore belongs to the anthocyanin family and is obtained in Italy from the processing of the skins of Lambrusco, Ancellotta and Montepulciano grapes; precisely for this reason it can happen to hear improperly spoken of wine anthocyanins.
Commercially, enocyanin is presented as a liquid with shades ranging from red-purple to intense red-violet depending on the grapes of origin, known with the initials E163.
Through a process of precipitation (or more simply of separation) and using very advanced extraction technologies, natural dyes are obtained in the range of browns, reds and purples, both in liquid and powder form.
Its uses in the food sector are very varied; in fact, enocyanin is used to naturally color foods and drinks such as:
- Pastry and bakery products
- Ice creams and sorbets
- Syrups
- Jams and marmalades
- Yogurt
- Liqueurs and spirits
- Fruit juices and soft drinks
- Wines (in countries where it is allowed)
Thanks to the high coloring power of enocyanin, the desired colors can be obtained even using minimal quantities, without thus altering the organoleptic qualities of the treated product.
Enocyanin also has excellent stability (always making sure that the products or the dye itself are kept away from sources of light and heat).
Furthermore, enocyanin is easily soluble in water, alcohol and sugar solutions. However, it is not soluble in lipid solvents.
Red carrot anthocyanins
It is not only from black grapes that high quality natural dyes are obtained, but also from red carrots, which are an excellent source of natural pigments for food use.
In fact, the anthocyanins of the red (or purple) carrot have a low pH and a good value for money, which allows to keep production costs lower.
These natural pigments are in fact very widespread in the Food & Beverage sector and are used to color many product categories, including:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Drinks
- Ice creams
- Sweets
- Confectionery products
- Cheese and other dairy products
The range of colors extends from reds, to oranges, to purples and pinks, giving a real “wow!” to food and drinks.
A natural, customized food coloring
We have already mentioned that one of the great advantages offered by anthocyanins and grape and red carrot-based dyes is that they can be used in minimal quantities, without changing the taste and smell of the treated products.
Another great advantage of anthocyanins, however, is also that of being able to widely customize the color, to obtain specific shades.
Geber collaborates with international producers and certified laboratories which, following specific customer requests, can develop a customized color to give a unique shade to each product.
The anthocyanin-based colors of grapes and red carrots are therefore an optimal solution for the preparation of foods that are not only beautiful, but also healthy, appetizing and good, both for humans and for the environment!
If you are interested in this product, visit the page dedicated to natural colorants and contact us using the information request form, we will contact you as soon as possible to guide you in choosing the product you want.
