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Nature's Colors Liquid Colorants Coloring Guide

India Tree

Nature’s Colors

Plant-Based Liquid Colorants

Vibrant, dye-free color made from plants—clean ingredients, easy mixing, beautiful results.

Shop colors

  • Yellow liquid food coloring swatch (photo)
    Water-soluble

    Yellow

    Clean, sunny yellow for buttercreams, batters, and glazes.

    PLANT-BASED • DYE-FREE • NON-GMO • NO CORN SYRUP

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  • Orange liquid food coloring swatch (photo)
    Water-soluble

    Orange

    Warm citrusy hue; great in royal icing and drizzles.

    PLANT-BASED • DYE-FREE • NON-GMO • NO CORN SYRUP

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  • Red liquid food coloring swatch (photo)
    Water-soluble

    Red

    Soft berry-red for cookies, macarons, and whipped frostings.

    PLANT-BASED • DYE-FREE • NON-GMO • NO CORN SYRUP

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  • TrueRed liquid food coloring swatch (photo)
    Water-soluble

    TrueRed

    Deeper red tone; build drops for bold holiday reds.

    PLANT-BASED • DYE-FREE • NON-GMO • NO CORN SYRUP

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  • Blue liquid food coloring swatch (photo)
    Water-soluble

    Blue

    Cool sky-blue that builds from slate to bold.

    PLANT-BASED • DYE-FREE • NON-GMO • NO CORN SYRUP

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How it works

  • Leaf with droplet — minimal, muted icon

    Plant-based ingredients

    Made from plants—free from artificial colors and synthetic dyes.

  • Palette swatch card — minimal, muted icon

    Clean, blendable color

    Mixes smoothly into buttercreams, icings, batters, and cool syrups.

  • Dropper over mixing bowl — minimal, muted icon

    Drop-by-drop control

    Build intensity gradually for the exact shade you want.

Water-soluble formula. Ideal for buttercreams, icings, batters, and beverages. Not recommended for chocolate or oil-only mediums; use oil-dispersible colors or an emulsifier for those.

Mixing & intensity guide

All drop counts shown here are for ¼ cup (60 mL) plain white American buttercream. Natural colors deepen after 5–10 minutes—stir, rest, then adjust. Drop size varies by nozzle; for repeatability, consider weighing (roughly ~20 drops ≈ 1 mL).

Need a different batch? ½ cup = ×2 the drops • 1 cup = ×4 the drops.
Approximate targets (fine-tune a drop at a time)
Color Pastel Medium Bold
TrueRed1–3 drops8–16 drops22 drops
Yellow1–3 drops5 drops8 drops
Orange1 drop3 drops7 drops
Blue0.5–1 drop2 drops8–12 drops
Green (mix)Blue 2 + Yellow 4Blue 10 + Yellow 6Adjust toward Blue for deeper teal/green

Visual progression (¼ cup batches)

TrueRed in 1/4 cup buttercream at 1, 2, 3, 8, 16, and 22 drops
TrueRed progression (¼ cup). Drops labeled: 1, 2, 3, 8, 16, 22.
Blue 0.5, 2, 8, 12 drops in 1/4 cup; mixes toward green with Yellow
Blue progression (¼ cup). Drops labeled: 0.5, 2, 8, 12. Mixes: Blue 1 + Yellow 0.5; Blue 1 + Yellow 2.
Orange 1, 3, 7 drops in 1/4 cup buttercream
Orange progression (¼ cup). Drops labeled: 1, 3, 7.
Red 0.5, 1, 3, 5 drops in 1/4 cup; mixes toward purple with Blue
Red progression (¼ cup). Drops labeled: 0.5, 1, 3, 5. Mixes: Red 5 + Blue 2; Red 0.5 + Blue 0.5.
Greens from Blue + Yellow mixes; Yellow 1, 3, 5, 8 drops in 1/4 cup
Green→Yellow mixes (¼ cup). Mixes labeled: Blue 2 + Yellow 4; Blue 10 + Yellow 6; Yellow 1, 3, 5, 8.
Purple mixes from Red + Blue in 1/4 cup (see labeled ratios)
Purple mixes (¼ cup). Ratios labeled in image (Red + Blue).
  • Cool the base before coloring—warmth can mute natural Blues.
  • Whiter base = cleaner pastels. If buttercream skews yellow, the tiniest Blue drop can neutralize it.
  • Rest 5–10 minutes, then re-check intensity before adding more.
  • Chocolate / oil-only: these are water-soluble colors; use oil-dispersible color or an emulsifier for chocolate and candy melts.

FAQ

What are these colors and what are they free from?
Plant-based liquid food colors made without artificial dyes, synthetic colors, GMOs, or corn syrup.
Do these change flavor?
Only minimally at typical drop amounts. Start small, let color develop 5–10 minutes, then adjust.
Where do they work best?
They’re water-soluble—ideal for buttercreams, icings, batters, glazes, and beverages.
Can I color chocolate or candy melts?
Water and oil don’t mix. Use oil-dispersible colors or add an emulsifier when working with chocolate/candy melts.
How many drops should I use?
Our guide uses ¼ cup (60 mL) buttercream: Pastel ≈ 1–3 drops, Medium ≈ 5–10 drops, Bold ≈ 16–22+ (TrueRed). Scale up: ½ cup = ×2, 1 cup = ×4. See the Mixing guide for visuals.
How do I get a deeper red?
Use TrueRed, build gradually, then rest 5–10 minutes. Start with a neutral-white base; a tiny touch of Blue can deepen the tone.
Why do my blues shift or fade?
Acids (lemon, vinegar), heat, and strong light can mute natural blues. Color cool mixtures, avoid acids, and store finished items away from direct light.
Any tips to avoid staining and clean up?
Wipe spills promptly. Wash hands/tools with warm soapy water; for counters, a mild baking-soda paste helps lift color.
Is it vegan?
Yes—made without animal-derived ingredients. Our glycerin is vegetable-based. Always check the product label for the most current information.
Does it contain any major allergens?
No major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy) are present. Always review the label and your kitchen practices if you have sensitivities.
What is the shelf life?
About 10 months from manufacture when stored tightly capped, away from heat and direct light. Shake before use—natural pigments can settle.
How should I store and handle them?
Keep bottles tightly capped and away from direct light. Shake before use—natural pigments can settle.
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