Paprika
WILD's Colors from Nature® contains the deep red, pungent, powdered spice paprika. The food coloring ability of paprika is a result of a mixture of several carotenoids, principally beta-carotene. Color hues from paprika range from yellow to brown, purple and red. Paprika powders are manufactured by dry-blending or spray-drying with carriers and gums. To obtain an orange-red oil-soluble extract, the dried and ground peppers are extracted with a volatile solvent, followed by removal of the solvent.
Light stability has been a barrier to the use of paprika as a colorant, although research continues each day. De-flavored paprika is available and is mostly used as color for those applications that desire color without spice. Paprika is used as a spice in meat products, soups and orange-red sauces, and also finds further applications in snacks, processed cheese, beverages, sugar confectionery, and sweet baked goods. Oil-soluble paprika imparts orange hues to salad dressings, coatings, and processed meat or cheese products, while water-dispersible paprika is preferred for use in aqueous systems such as low-fat dressings, marinades, and sauces.
In what applications is Paprika best used? (.pdf)
