Brown is a versatile color that can be found all around us in nature and man-made objects. From tree bark to leather goods, many common items exhibit some shade of rich, dark brown. This neutral earth tone can add a sense of warmth, nature, and stability wherever it occurs. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable things that are often a dark brown color.
Types of Brown
There are many shades of brown, from light tan to deep chocolate. For this article, we will focus on things that are specifically a rich, dark brown color. Here are some examples of dark brown shades:
- Chocolate brown
- Coffee brown
- Cocoa brown
- Chestnut brown
- Mahogany brown
- Walnut brown
Dark browns like these have a significant amount of black mixed in, giving them a deeper, richer tone. Lighter browns, while still brown, do not have quite the same bold presence.
Natural Objects
In nature, there are many organisms and geological formations that exhibit a dark brown coloration. Here are some of the most noteworthy:
- Tree bark – The bark of many tree species has a deep brown, textured appearance, including oak, pine, cedar, and redwood trees.
- Dirt/soil – Fertile soil and earth often has a dark brown color, ranging from silt loam to clay.
- Rocks and minerals – Dark brown rocks and minerals include granite, sandstone, slate, and hematite.
- Insects – Some insects like cockroaches, crickets, and beetles have glossy brown exoskeletons.
- Feathers and fur – The feathers and fur of birds like owls, hawks, and eagles are commonly dark brown, as are those of mammals like bears, moose, and wolves.
The rich browns found in nature provide camouflage, structural support, and aesthetic beauty in various organisms and landscapes across ecosystems.
Foods and Beverages
Many foods and drinks naturally exhibit a dark brown hue. Here are some nutritious edibles with deep brown colors:
| Food/Beverage | Description |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | All forms of chocolate, including candy bars, cocoa powder, and cacao nibs have a distinctive dark brown color. |
| Coffee | Brewed coffee and coffee beans are varying shades of rich brown. |
| Molasses | The viscous syrup has an extremely dark brown, almost black shade. |
| Soy sauce | Traditional soy sauce gets its dark brown hue from fermented soy beans and wheat. |
| Maple syrup | Maple syrup ranges from golden to dark brown depending on grade. |
| Whole wheat bread | Dark brown whole wheat flour gives wheat bread a brown crumb compared to white bread. |
| Brown rice | Brown rice maintains the edible brown bran layer that white rice lacks, resulting in a brown color. |
| Dark beer | Dark beers like stout and porter achieve their brown-black shade from roasted malt. |
The brown pigments in foods like these often indicate nutrient density, antioxidants, and whole ingredients.
Wood and Paper
Many types of wood and paper products are readily identified by their rich brown color, such as:
- Hardwood lumber – Mahogany, walnut, oak, and teak wood are prized for their deep brown grain.
- Plywood – Cheaper plywood often uses a dark veneer like oak or mahogany on the surface ply.
- Cardboard – Cardboard packaging commonly has a light to dark brown tone.
- Grocery bags – Paper grocery bags are typically a kraft shade of brown.
- Wrapping paper – Brown kraft paper or cardboard-backed foil paper is used to wrap packages.
- Paper shopping bags – Standard paper shopping bags are dark brown.
- Paper lunch bags – The familiar small folded lunch bags are also a dark brown color.
For wood and paper products, brown is an attractive, natural color that complements the raw materials.
Fabrics and Textiles
Dark shades of brown are widely used in fabrics and textiles such as:
- Wool – Raw wool from breeds like Merino sheep has an off-white to brown color.
- Leather – Most leather goods including shoes, belts, and handbags come in brown shades from tan to nearly black.
- Burlap – Coarse burlap bags and sackcloth have a light brown tint from the jute or hemp fibers.
- Cotton – Unbleached cotton fabric retains more of a light brown shade than bright white cotton.
- Flannel – Classic flannel shirts and fabrics often come in dark brown plaid patterns.
- Tweed – Wool tweed sport coats and fabrics frequently feature flecks of brown.
- Denim – Raw denim jeans start out a very dark brown blue color before fading with wear.
- Khaki – Khaki pants and other garments come in a tan-brown shade.
For textile products, brown offers a natural, rustic, or vintage look.
Household Items
There are also numerous household goods that exhibit rich dark brown tones, such as:
- Furniture – Wood tables, chairs, dressers and other furniture is available in brown stains and finishes like walnut and mahogany.
- Picture frames – Wood and faux wood picture frames commonly come in various dark brown shades.
- Blinds/shutters – Faux wood window blinds and shutters are often brown to resemble real wood.
- Cardboard boxes – Moving and storage boxes are typically brown from the corrugated cardboard.
- Wicker baskets – Wicker furniture and accessories usually have a brown color from the woven plant stems.
- Pottery – Terracotta clay pots and vases are a reddish or brown earth tone.
- Tools – Wooden tool handles like hammers and rakes are stained brown.
For indoor and outdoor household goods, brown evokes qualities like stability, comfort, and simplicity.
Conclusion
In summary, many common natural and man-made objects exhibit rich, dark brown colors that add warmth, texture, and familiarity to our environments. Brown shades are prevalent in nature, foods and beverages, building materials like wood and paper, textiles, and household goods. So next time you come across something with an appealing dark brown color, consider the unique properties it lends to that item.
