Types of food colouring:

Liquid Food colouring:

One type of food colouring if liquid colouring. This is often the most common type to be found in supermarkets and if often cheaper. Liquid food colouring contains less concentration than others. It is water-based meaning that your need to add a lot to your mix if you want a vibrant colour. Due to its watery composition it will also thin out your batter of icing.

Liquid Gel:

Another type of food colouring is liquid gel, this type is also water based however also contains glycine or corn syrup making it thicker. It is also more concentrated meaning that less is needed to create a vibrant colour. Liquid gel food colourings are often used by professional pastry chefs and cake decorators due to its high concentration. It also good at handling heat so can be used to colour sponges.

Gel Food Colouring:

Gel food colouring is even thicker than liquid gel colouring and has an even higher concentration which gives an even more vibrant colour. Gel colourings also need time to develop and give the mixture a richer, deeper colour. Gel colourings are considered harder to use and are mainly used by professionals in large batches of icing. When using gel colourings, it is recommended to add using a toothpick to only add a small amount to your mix at a time. Gel colourings are generally more expensive however their high concentration means that only a tiny amount is needed per use.

Powdered Food colouring:

Powdered food colouring is the most concentrated type of colouring. Made from ground colouring pigments it is completely dry. It can be used dry or mixed with a fat if a liquid colouring is needed. Powdered food colouring doesn’t mix with water so its best mixed with oil or a fat-based ingredient. Its often used for more delicate recipes such as French macarons and chocolate colouring.

Oil-based Colourings:

Ever tried to colour chocolate only to have it seize up? An oil-based colouring is needed. The fats in the chocolate don’t allow it to be mixed with water-based food colourings. Oil based colourings are made from an oil-soluble formula that allows it to be mixed with high-fat foods such as chocolate without causing it to lose its smooth consistency. Oil-based colourings have a high concentration so only a small amount is needed to create a bold, vibrant colour, its also resistant to water so it will not separate when added to water based mixtures unlike water based colours in high fat mixtures.