Caramel
Color
Caramel
Colors are essentially food additives that is used in the manufacture of
many type of food products. Caramel colors can impart colours that
ranges from brown to reddish hues. Today Caramel colors are one of the
most preferred choices, because of its unique properties versatility and
stability. Generally for Caramel colours there are four classes available. They differ from each other basically in terms of their functional properties. With our long years of experience and formidable industrial expertise, we are adept in assisting you in selecting a caramel color that is just right for your formulation.
» Click Here for Grades of Caramel Color
Properties of Caramel Colour
There are certain unique properties that are associated with Caramel Colours. These are with respect to the following types:
- Colour Strength: A Caramel Colour's strength is defined
as its Tinctorial Power, KO.56'. This is actually the absorption of
a 0.1% weight/volume solution that is measured via a 1cm light path
typically at a wavelength that is of 560 nanometers (nm) by applying
a high quality and accurate spectrophotometer. Higher the value of
the absorption, tinctorial power, KO.56' more dark would be the
Caramel Colour.
Also, understanding the colour tone of Caramel Color is crucial. This is done by by a Hue index. which measures the colour hue or red characteristics of a Caramel Colour. It is typically a function of the absorption at 510 and 610 nm. Generally, it is seen higher the Tinctorial strength,K O.56' , lower is the Hue Index and consequently lower red tones.
- Specific Gravity: The specific gravity ofa liquid
caramel colours is in the range of 1.25 - 1.38, that corresponds to
a range of around 1.244 - 1.376 kg/l. The corresponding dry
substance matter of a liquid Caramel Colour alters in the range of
50 - 70%.
- pH Considerations: The pH of a Caramel Colour is crucial
as in some applications it may impact the compatibility and
functionality of other components such as finished food or beverage
by significantly influencing the pH of final product. Caramel Colour
has fairly good functionality across a diverse range of pH, that
ranges from 2 - 10. Mostly Caramel Colour has been seen to range
from 2.0 - 5.0 in a pH scale. Commercial liquid Caramel to give a
microbiological stability. It should have a pH that is below 5.0.
- Ionic Charge: Caramel Colour molecules show ionic
(electrochemical) charges that may be positive or negative. Actually
the charge is dependent on the processing conditions applied for a
particular product. Most of the Caramel Colours in use are anionic
or negatively charged. However, there can be specific types of
applications where cationic or positively charged Caramel Colour is
essential. Specially in applications where Caramel colours come in
touch with proteins as in beer or meat products.
- Viscosity: Viscosity of Caramel Colour can easily vary. It is important to understand the viscosity is not at all a reflection of colour strength of a Caramel Colour. Caramel Colour with low viscosity gives some advantages like, relatively easier handling, faster dissolving, a greater stability and shelf life.
- Versatility: Our Caramel colors comes with a very high
quality and a comprehensive range. The colors ty available colors
ranges from light yellow, reddish-browns to even a very dark brown.
The end results would depend on the exact specification of the
selected Caramel color along with the usage level.
- Easy Handling: Our Caramel colors are very easy to
handle and store. In ideal storage conditions, the caramel color
remains in a very good condition even up to a minimum of 2 years.
- Purity: The Caramel color offered by us has shows
excellent microbiological properties.. As they are manufactured
under strict conditions of high heat and pressure, the colors
offered are sterile and do not support microbiological growth in the
undiluted form.
- Economical: Our Caramel colors offer a broad range of functional advantages, so they offer one of the most economical alternatives that you can have. For low application levels too, you can get cost benefits that are unparalleled, in comparison to any other natural or artificial color.
Caramel Colors are used in almost in every segment of the food and beverage industry along with the cosmetics industry. Our broad range takes care to meet general or specific formulation requirements. A brief description of the different applications and usages of caramel color is given hereunder: