Natural colors possess an irreplaceable vibrancy that synthetic hues cannot mimic, providing a source of grounding, meditation and enrichment for work environments. Working with them is both grounding and rewarding.
Natural colors have seen increasing consumer interest due to consumer demands for products without artificial and synthetic ingredients, yet producers of such colors face challenges when it comes to stability, quality and sustainability.
Color Additives
Color additives refer to any dye, pigment or substance that adds or maintains food’s original hue, such as adding new hues or keeping its existing hue from fading. They can be made up of both natural and synthetic sources – natural colors are extracted and purified from multiple natural substances, while synthetic ones are produced through full chemical synthesis or by mixing multiple precursor compounds together.
FDA regulations stipulate that only color additives that have been shown to be safe and suitable for their intended application may enter the market, and must also undergo thorough testing and approval processes to ensure their safety.
Food Coloring
Natural food colorings make an excellent addition to home baking, offering everything from soft pastel hues to vibrant splashes of hue. Available either powdered form or liquid gel and sold in small packages, natural colors tend to be less light stable than synthetic counterparts so should be stored in dark and cool locations for best results.
Natural dyes derived from fruits, vegetables and minerals are often considered healthier and safer alternatives to synthetic colors; however, their safety will depend on each individual ingredient and can differ between countries.
Homemade natural food colorings can be costly and time-consuming to produce. Furthermore, their performance may not match that of commercial food dyes – leading to unexpected flavors appearing in your frosting or icing.
Cosmetics
Cosmetic chemists are striving hard to bring the beauty of natural colors into skin care and haircare products. From eyeshadow with malachite green shimmering to hair dye that emits its hue in red tones reminiscent of the environment they originated, natural pigments add vibrance while connecting people with nature through aesthetic enhancement.
Natural colors often lack the same stability and longevity of synthetic dyes, leading to color variations when used in products that utilize them. They often require white as a base in order to achieve desired hues, and may degrade in environments with high pH levels – particularly oil-based products – more quickly.
Paprika, turmeric, cochineal and saffron are examples of natural colors suitable for cosmetic applications that have FDA certification. Other examples include micas, titanium dioxide and annatto seed powder as well.
Staining Wood
Stain is an effective alternative to paint as it penetrates deep into wood fibers instead of coating the surface, leaving natural grain visible yet providing UV ray protection. Available in an array of tints, it enables people to add the perfect amount of hues into their home decor.
Some species of wood respond better than others to stain, so it is advisable to test on a small area first and choose a stain which enhances its natural hue.
Resurgent wood stain trends have seen an explosion in popularity, offering homeowners a great way to add some personality and create an eye-catching focal point in any room.
Art
Natural colors in art open up an endless world of possibility. Some of history’s most iconic paintings were produced using natural pigments such as carbon mineral azurite found in Raphael’s Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints; Henri Matisse used cadmium red in creating his Red Studio.
Many natural colorants can have powerful effects. When starting out with new natural hues, experiment with ratios carefully so as not to overwhelm your palette. Keep a record of what ratios you use so as to achieve consistent results over time.
Invite your participants to spin the wheel, discover what colors can be seen in nature, and discuss their experiences with each color. Point out that green can be difficult to locate; ask why. Next, discuss how artists might utilize certain hues in their art to elicit specific responses from audiences.
