Cooking With Color: When to Use Blue in the Kitchen

Introduction

Color can have a big impact on the aesthetics and appeal of food. Using color thoughtfully when cooking and plating dishes not only makes them look appetizing, but it can also influence the dining experience. One color that is often overlooked in the kitchen is blue. While not found abundantly in many natural foods, blue has some interesting applications in cooking and baking.

In this article, we will explore when and how home cooks can incorporate the color blue into meals and treats. From brightening up breakfast dishes to creating enticing beverages, blue hues can lend an artistic flair. We will also discuss some of the possible benefits and drawbacks of using blue coloring and dyes in foods. Read on to learn how to effectively and safely utilize blue to enhance your culinary creations.

Why Use Blue Food Coloring?

Here are some of the reasons you may want to use blue coloring in cooking and baking:

• Decoration – Blue icing, glazes, or drizzles can add whimsical decoration to cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more. Vibrant blue hues can create an eye-catching aesthetic.
• Appetite appeal – Research indicates that the color blue can act as an appetite suppressant. Using blue plates or blue decorations may help moderate portion sizes.
• Kid-friendly meals – Vibrant blue foods often appeal to children and can make mealtimes more fun. Blue pasta or pancakes can encourage kids to eat foods they may usually avoid.
• Theme parties – Coordinating blue foods and decorations is perfect for ocean, mermaid/merman, and beach bash parties and baby showers.
• Natural dye alternative – Bright blue shades in foods are hard to achieve naturally. Food coloring provides an intense blue color without labor-intensive natural dying.
• Distinguish flavors – In dishes with multiple flavors/layers, blue coloring can visually distinguish and highlight separate taste components.

Potential Benefits of Blue Foods

Research on the impacts of coloring food blue is still emerging, but some studies suggest blue hues may offer the following benefits:

• Appetite suppression – As mentioned, blue is thought to be an appetite suppressant, especially vivid or deep blues. Eating from blue plates or seeing blue garnishes may curb overeating.
• Improved focus – There is some evidence that looking at the color blue may boost concentration, alertness, and memory retention. Blue foods may enhance focus.
• Calming effect – The cool hue of blue is thought to have a relaxing impact on the mind and nerves. Blue snacks or meals may have a mild calming influence.
• Antioxidant boost – Naturally blue foods like blueberries contain antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. These may lower inflammation.

However, more research is still needed to substantiate many theorized health effects of blue foods. Any benefits are likely mild.

Potential Drawbacks of Blue Dyes

While vibrant blue foods have visual appeal, there are some potential downsides of artificial blue dyes to consider:

• Allergies and sensitivities – Some people, especially those with ADHD, may be sensitive to artificial food dyes and have adverse reactions. Blue has been implicated.
• Associations with toxicity – Since few edible foods are naturally blue, the brain perceives intensely blue things as potentially toxic, as a survival instinct. This may unconsciously deter overeating.
• Risk of overconsumption – The eye-catching appeal and “fun factor” of blue foods, especially for kids, may increase the temptation to eat more than recommended.
• Hidden ingredients – Artificial blue dyes often contain controversial ingredients and additives that some consumers seek to avoid, like coal tar-derived food dyes.
• Lack of nutritional value – Since most blue food dyes are artificial, they add vibrant color but not nutrients. Some natural blue foods like blueberries do pack a nutritional punch.

If choosing artificial dye, it’s best to use minimal amounts occasionally instead of daily. Prioritize naturally vibrant foods over artificial colors when possible.

Is Blue Food Coloring Safe?

Currently, there are a few artificial blue food colorings approved for use in food manufacturing:

• FD&C Blue No. 1 – The most common blue dye allowed in food. Approved for use but some health concerns exist.
• FD&C Blue No. 2 – Once widely used but now banned in the U.S. Still allowed in some countries.
• Brilliant Blue FCF – Derived from coal tar. Approved for food use but not considered natural.

Always check labels and avoid any food dyes that cause personal reactions. If opting to dye foods at home, choose natural options like blue spirulina or butterfly pea flower powder when possible. As with any additive, blue hues are best used in moderation.

Natural Foods That Are Blue

While vibrant blues rarely occur naturally in fruits and veggies, these healthy options can add both color and nutrition to meals:

• Blueberries – One of the most antioxidant-rich fruits, blueberries also contain anthocyanins that impart blue, purple, or red hues.
• Blue potatoes – Varieties like blue Congo and purple Peruvian have blue-tinged blue flesh. Rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins.
• Blue corn – A traditional Southwest American grain, blue corn has a striking indigo color. It can be ground into flour.
• Blue Java bananas – Also called “ice cream bananas,” these tropical fruits have a mint blue flesh when ripe.
• Butterfly pea flower – The dried flowers can be brewed into a vibrant blue tea. Often used in Asian cuisines.
• Blue algae – Edible marine algaes like spirulina powder and aquamin powder provide a bold blue color.

When possible, opt for these naturally-hued blue foods over artificial dyes. They provide both wholesome nutrition and color.

How to Dye Foods Blue at Home

If you want to dye edible items royal blue at home, here are some options:

Natural Dye Options

• Butterfly pea flower – Steep dried flowers in hot water for vibrant blue liquid for soaking foods or using in recipes.
• Blue spirulina powder – Sold online or in health stores, this edible blue algae powder infuses beverages, frostings, etc. with blue-green hues.
• Clitoria ternatea flowers – Used in Southeast Asian cuisine, these tropical flowers create rich blue tea.
• Red cabbage – Boiled red cabbage water results in a purplish-blue liquid that can dye foods.

Artificial Dye Options

• Liquid food coloring – Look for FD&C Blue #1. Gel options also available. Use sparingly.
• Powdered blue dye – Can color drinks, frostings, etc. Avoid skin contact.
• Pre-dyed blue baking chips – Blue chocolate or candy melting wafers meant for tinting doughs and batters.

For bold blue hues at home, butterfly pea flower and spirulina powder are the most natural options. Otherwise, use commercial dyes minimally.

Cooking and Baking with Blue Foods

From fruity desserts to colorful entrées, here are some fun ways to creatively incorporate edible blue foods or dyes into recipes:

Baking

• Blue velvet cake or cupcakes with blue-tinted batter
• Vibrant blue buttercream frosting atop cakes or cookies
• Pancakes or waffles made with blue sweet potato or purple yam
• Blue spirulina or butterfly pea flower infused into bread or muffin batters
• Cookies, biscuits, or crackers with blue cornmeal for flecks of color
• Blue solar system cake with planets decorated different shades of blue

Beverages

• Bright blue lemonade or fruit punch with SPIRULINA powder
• Layered blue tropical drink with butterfly flower tea
• Blue smoothies with BLUEBERRIES and blue algae powder
• Blue Hawaiian cocktails with BLUE CURAçAO liqueur
• BLUE-colored milkshakes or ice pops for kids
• Swirl blue and white icing in milk for tie-dye layer effect

Main & Side Dishes

• BLUE CORN tacos with purple cabbage slaw
• Vibrant PURPLE POTATOES roasted or mashed as a side
• BLUE CHEESE dressing drizzle over salads
• OCEAN-THEMED pancake breakfast with BLUEBERRIES
• BUTTERFLY PEA RICE made by soaking grains in flower tea
• PASTA in swirls of red and BLUE-DYED white sauces

Desserts

• Vanilla cake with royal BLUE FROSTING and decorations
• BLUE-HUED WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK cookies
• BLUEBERRY pie filling in a flakey pie crust
• BLUE VELVET CAKE layered or marbled with white cake
• BLUE-RASPBERRY LAYERED JELLO with whipped cream

Get creative with blue foods to make fun, eye-catching meals for all occasions!

Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Foods

Here are answers to some common FAQs about cooking with the color blue:

Is blue food bad for you?

Blue food coloring and blue dyes are not necessarily harmful in small amounts. But some blue dyes may cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals. Opt for natural blue foods whenever possible over artificial dyes.

What foods are blue naturally?

Some of the most common naturally blue foods are blueberries, blue-purple potatoes, blue corn, blue Java bananas, butterfly pea flower, and blue-green algae like spirulina.

Is blue curaçao really blue?

Yes, blue curaçao liqueur gets its vibrant azure color from the Laraha citrus fruit grown on the island of Curaçao. No artificial dyes are added.

Can you buy blue eggs?

It’s extremely rare for chicken eggs to be naturally blue. But some breeds, like Araucanas, Ameraucanas, and Cream Legbars do lay beautiful blue-tinted eggs.

Is blue raspberry flavor natural?

No, blue raspberry is an artificial flavoring. Raspberries are naturally red, black or golden. Blue dye gives raspberry candies and syrups their electric blue color.

Tips for Safely Adding Blue Colors

Here are some tips for safely using blue dyes and getting the most vibrant shades:

• Always follow recommended serving sizes and safety guidelines on packaging
• Test a small amount first if concerned about reactions
• Intensify the blue hue by adding a dash of vinegar or lemon juice
• Mix into lighter batters and doughs vs. rich chocolate for best results
• For deep ocean blues, layer the color with purple and teal shades
• Add blue to whipping cream or milk for a gradated ombre food dye effect
• Choose gel over liquid food coloring for thicker consistencies like frosting
• Prioritize naturally blue foods like blue spirulina over synthetic dyes when possible

Conclusion

While uncommon in nature, vivid blue foods can be a fun way to decorate dishes, delight kids’ palates, and bring color to the kitchen. Natural options like blueberries and blue algae provide safer blue hues. But used minimally, even synthetic blue food dyes can create eye-catching appeal. With the right techniques and recipes, it’s easy to start cooking creatively with shades of blue.