Salmon color has been a source of debate for many years. While most people refer to the color as “salmon pink,” others insist it’s more of a “salmon orange.” So which is it – pink or orange? The answer lies in examining the unique coloration of salmon flesh and how it ranges on the color wheel. By taking a deeper look at salmon hues, we can better understand this distinctive color.
Salmon Color Origin
Salmon get their distinctive pink-orange coloring from eating krill, shrimp, and other small shellfish that contain carotenoid pigments. These pigments are antioxidants that protect the fish from damage and disease. Astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are the main carotenoids responsible for salmon’s coloration.
Wild salmon obtain these carotenoids from their natural diet. Meanwhile, farmed salmon are fed formulated pellets with added pigments to achieve the desired color. The more carotenoids in their diet, the darker the red-orange flesh of the salmon.
When salmon return from the ocean to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn, their bodies begin to metabolize the carotenoids. This causes their flesh to fade to a lighter pink or even white. Spawning salmon are referred to as “kings” and do not have the vibrant pink-orange hue.
Salmon Color Range
Within salmon species, there is a range of colors from pale pink to bright orange-red:
- Chinook or king salmon are the lightest, with flesh ranging from white to light pink
- Sockeye or red salmon have a bright, rich red-orange color
- Coho or silver salmon are more moderate with light pink to orange flesh
- Chum salmon are the darkest, with a deep orange-red color
This variation comes down to differences in diet and metabolism between salmon species and populations. However, all wild salmon have natural pink-orange pigmentation in the flesh to some degree.
Salmon Color on the Wheel
Looking at a color wheel provides more insight into salmon color:
| Color | Hue Family | Hue Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon pink | Red | 0-15° |
| Salmon orange | Red-orange | 15-45° |
Salmon pink falls within the red hue family at 0-15° on the color wheel. Meanwhile, salmon orange is a reddish-orange hue between 15-45° degrees.
While both are in the same general red color neighborhood, salmon pink leans closer to a true red. Salmon orange has more yellow-orange tones coming through.
Factors Affecting Color
Several factors impact salmon flesh color, leading to variations in hue:
- Species: Some species naturally produce more carotenoid pigments.
- Diet: More carotenoid-rich foods in the diet create a deeper color.
- Freshness: Color fades as salmon flesh starts decomposing after death.
- Cooking: Heat from cooking oxidizes pigments, lightening the color.
- Water: Freezing and thawing can dilute color in the flesh.
For the brightest color, fresh wild-caught salmon have the highest carotenoid levels. Meanwhile, frozen, thawed, or cooked salmon will be paler.
Is Salmon Pink or Orange?
Given the range of hues, both “salmon pink” and “salmon orange” are accurate names for the color. However, “salmon orange” better captures the color’s place between red and orange.
While some salmon are a true pink, most retain orange undertones from their natural carotenoids. Going by the color wheel, anything from 15-45° would be classified as orange rather than red.
Since most wild salmon fall within that reddish-orange range, salmon orange is the most inclusive and technically correct term. But salmon pink is still valid as well!
Uses of Salmon Color
Salmon has become an iconic color in fashion, decor, and branding. Some popular uses of salmon pink and orange include:
- Clothing – especially women’s dresses, blouses, and accessories
- Makeup – lipsticks, blushes, eye shadows
- Home decor – paint colors, upholstery, rugs, wall art
- Weddings – bridesmaid dresses, invitations, flower arrangements
- Branding – logos, packaging, websites, advertisements
Salmon appeals to consumers for its warm, inviting, and feminine tone. It feels upscale and refined as well.
Compared to bold reds and oranges, salmon has a lower saturation that makes it more universally flattering. Its versatility has made it a staple across industries.
Psychology of Salmon
Color psychology provides some insight into why salmon is so popular:
- Friendly – Salmon’s warmth gives it an approachable, upbeat tone. It lifts spirits and creates a welcoming environment.
- Nurturing – The color promotes feelings of tenderness, love, and care.
- Feminine – Salmon is strongly associated with women and viewed as romantic and graceful.
- Appetizing – As the color of salmon itself, it stimulates the appetite and desire.
While salmon is not gender-exclusive, these feminine and romantic connotations have shaped its use in fashion and retail. Salmon grabs attention without being overly bold or intense.
Salmon vs. Coral vs. Peach
Salmon is sometimes confused with similar pink-orange shades like coral and peach:
- Coral – Contain more orange and yellow tones than salmon. They are lighter, brighter hues ranging from 20-55° on the color wheel.
- Peach – Have more red-pink than salmon, ranging from 5-25° with high tints of white added. Peaches are rarely as intense or saturated as salmons.
- Salmon – Sit between the two with stronger orange tones than peach but more red undertones than coral. Ranging from 15-45°.
There can be overlap between these colors, but salmon distinguishes itself with its namesake reddish-orange hue.
Conclusion
When looking at both common usage and technical color definitions, salmon orange is the most accurate term for the color. However, salmon pink is still a valid description for paler variations leaning closer to red.
The distinctive coloration comes from carotenoid pigments in salmon flesh. While specific hue can vary based on diet, species, and preparation, wild salmon generally produce colors in the reddish-orange range of 15-45°.
This makes salmon orange the most inclusive name for the color family. But there are scenarios where salmon pink is also reasonably applied. The color psychology around salmon makes it a popular choice across many consumer industries and products.
So while salmon orange may be the technically correct term, the iconic color can flexibly be described as both pink and orange!
