Meats and Sausages
Coloring Agents
- Paprika - orange
- Smoked paprika - dark red
- Saffron - yellow
- Turmeric - yellow (used in curry)
- Caramel - brown (burnt sugar)
- Anatto - yellow/orange
- Ketchup, tomato paste - red
- Beet root - red, burgundy
Food and Drug Approved Red 4 is a great red colorant, however, it is cochineal extract which is made from bugs so it it is an animal product and will not conform to the requirements of pure vegetarians. It is used in the manufacture of artificial flowers, paints, crimson ink, rouge, and other cosmetics and is routinely added to food products and certain brands of juice most notably those of the ruby-red variety. Sausages made with dark spices will appear darker, black pepper is more visible that the white, rice and tofu are lighter than potatoes, textured vegetable protein is yellow, lentil is green or red, buckwheat groats grey, split green pea is green and beans come in many shapes and colors.
Annatto is an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana).
Ground annatto.
Whole annatto seeds resemble buckwheat grouts in size and shape.
The colorant is typically prepared by grinding the seeds to a powder or paste. Ground annatto can be found in a spice section in a supermarket. It is often used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods but sometimes also for its flavor and aroma which is a combination of pepper and nutmeg. Annatto is widely used in many processed food products such as cheeses, dairy spreads, butter and margarine, custards, cakes and other baked goods, potatoes, snack foods, breakfast cereals, smoked fish, sausages, and more.
Beet Root
Beets produce a dark burgundy color juice which becomes absolutely beautiful pink when mixed with cream or white protein emulsion.
Beet powder creates an instant soup when mixed with water. It is a great colorant.
Vegetarian sausage recipes are listed in the Sausage Recipe Index.
