Colours
These drinks were used in a taste-test. Volunteers had to say which one they preferred.
Click onto the glass of orange drink that you think will taste the best.
All three drinks taste the same!
Each drink has the same ingredients except for the level of colouring. However, in the taste test, most people said the middle drink was the best tasting.
We 'taste' with our eyes. If food does not look appealing then we often think it tastes bad as well.
Often, when foods are cooked or processed for sale, they lose their natural colour and look less tasty. Colourings are often added to help make the food look appealing and so 'taste' better.
E-Numbers and Colours
Colours that are allowed to be used in foods are strictly tested (see Safety and Regulation). Some common food colourings are shown in the table.
| E Number | Name | Description | Foods |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Curcumin | Orange-yellow colour that is extracted from the roots of the turmeric plant. | Curry, fats and oils, processed cheese. |
| E101 | Riboflavin | Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2. It can be obtained by fermenting yeast or synthesised artificially. In foods, it is used as an orange-yellow colour. | Sauces, processed cheese and foods with added vitamins such as bread. |
| E102 | Tartrazine | Yellow coloured synthetic azo dye. This colouring sparks controversy as some groups suggest it causes behavioural problems in children (see food issues ). | Is no longer widely used. Now rarely used in curries and some ready-meals. |
| E160a | Beta-carotene | Orange-yellow colour found in plants such as carrots, tomatoes and oranges. | Soft drinks, margarine, butter, yoghurt. |
| E150a | Plain caramel | Dark brown to black colour. The most common colouring. 90% of all colouring used is caramel. Obtained by the heating of sugars. | Cola drinks, confectionery, baked-foods, ice cream, chocolate, beers, vinegar and whisky. |
| E123 | Amaranth | Dark purple coloured synthetic colour. Similar in colour to blackcurrants. | Powdered soup, jam, ice cream, instant gravy. |
Find out where food colours come from