Mixing colors is a fun experiment that also demonstrates some basic principles of color theory. When it comes to mixing food colorings, red is one of the easiest colors to create. All you need are two primary colors – yellow and blue. By combining these two food colorings in the right proportions, you can make a bright, bold red for decorating cakes, cookies, and more. In this article, we’ll look at the science behind mixing colors, provide the exact recipe for making red food coloring from primary colors, and give tips for getting the perfect shade of red.
The Basics of Mixing Colors
Before jumping into the recipe, let’s review some color theory basics. The primary colors are red, blue and yellow. These are the core colors that can’t be created by mixing other colors. All other colors are derived from combinations of primaries.
The secondary colors are green, orange and purple. They are created by mixing two primary colors. For example:
| Red + Yellow = Orange |
| Red + Blue = Purple |
| Blue + Yellow = Green |
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. Some examples include red-orange, yellow-green, and blue-violet.
When it comes to light vs. pigment, the primary colors differ slightly. For light, the primaries are red, green and blue (RGB). For pigments, including most paints and food colorings, the primaries are red, yellow and blue (RYB).
This means if you want to create red paint or food coloring, you need to mix the RYB primary colors of yellow and blue. Combining these two pigments absorbs all wavelengths of light except the one corresponding to red, allowing the red wavelength to reflect back to our eyes.
The Recipe for Mixing Red Food Coloring
Without further ado, here is the recipe for combining yellow and blue food coloring to make red:
| Yellow food coloring | 1 teaspoon |
| Blue food coloring | 1/2 teaspoon |
That’s it! Using a 1:2 ratio of yellow to blue will give you a nice bold red.
You can adjust the proportions slightly to get different hues of red. More yellow will yield a fire engine or scarlet red. More blue will give you a deeper crimson or burgundy. But the above 1:2 ratio is a good starting point.
A few tips when mixing the colors:
– Use liquid or gel food coloring rather than powdered. Liquids blend together better.
– Mix in a separate container before adding to frosting, dough, etc. This allows you to adjust the color if needed.
– Add more yellow or blue a small amount at a time to fine tune the shade.
– Mixing in a non-porous container like plastic or glass makes it easier to incorporate the colors smoothly.
Why Yellow and Blue Make Red
Now that you know the simple recipe, let’s discuss the science behind why combining yellow and blue makes red when it comes to pigments.
As mentioned, the primary colors of pigment are yellow, red, and blue. This is because these colors correlate with the three types of cone cells in our eyes that detect color.
Cone cells respond to blue, green, and red wavelengths of light. Yellow pigment absorbs the blue wavelengths and reflects the green and red back to the eye. This stimulates both the green and red cone cells, which our brain interprets as yellow.
Similarly, blue pigment absorbs the green and red wavelengths and reflects back only blue.
When you mix yellow and blue pigments, the combined material absorbs all wavelengths except red. It reflects back only red light, and our brain sees this as pure red color.
This is the simplest way that color vision and pigment theory intersect to allow primary colors to create secondary and tertiary colors when mixed.
Mixing Food Coloring vs. Light
Compare this to mixing colored light. With light, the primary colors are red, green and blue (RGB). This is because these correlate to the three cone cells.
When you combine beams of red and green light, our eyes perceive this as yellow. Mixing red and blue gives magenta. And blue plus green yields cyan.
In fact, you can create any color by combining different intensities of red, green and blue light. This is how TVs, computer monitors and other displays create color.
So while the principles of mixing light and pigments are similar, the primaries and results are different. Keep this in mind when working with food coloring versus other color media.
Uses for Homemade Red Food Coloring
Now that you can easily mix up red food coloring, what are some ways to use it? Here are a few ideas:
– Frosting and icing – Color holiday cookies or cakes red for Valentine’s Day, July 4th, Christmas and more
– Dyeing baked goods – Make red velvet cake from scratch by mixing the coloring into the batter before baking
– Sauces and dressings – Add a pop of color to marinara sauce, aioli or salad dressing
– Beverages – Stir it into lemonade, fruit punch, or other clear drinks for festive hue
– yogurt, ice cream, pudding – Swirl into dairy products for desserts
– Fresh fruit – Toss berries or other fruits in diluted coloring for bright, colorful salad or skewers
– Candy making – Tint candy melts, fudge, or other sweets
As you can see, the possibilities are nearly endless for using your custom red food dye!
Benefits of Homemade Food Coloring
Why go the homemade route instead of using store-bought food colors? Here are some of the benefits:
– More affordable – Buying basic yellow and blue costs less than specialty red dye.
– All natural – You control exactly what goes into your coloring.
– Custom colors – Adjust the shades to get the precise hue you want.
– Fun learning – Mixing colors is an enjoyable science experiment and activity.
– No waste – Make only as much as you need instead of left over dye.
For these reasons and more, consider giving the yellow + blue method a try the next time you need red food coloring!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about mixing colors to make your own red food dye:
What if I don’t have blue dye, can I still make red?
While blue is needed to make red under the traditional RYB color theory, you may be able to simulate blue by mixing other colors. Trying combining purple and green food coloring to make a blue-ish shade. Then use this with yellow to create red.
Can I use liquid or gel food coloring?
Yes, either type will work. Liquid provides the easiest mixing and most control over the final shade. But gel will also blend with proper stirring. Avoid powdered dyes as they may not incorporate evenly.
How does red food coloring dye foods?
The food coloring molecules are able to bind to and become embedded within the molecules that make up the food. This causes the food to reflect that wavelength of red light, changing the appearance of the food.
Are there other ways to naturally dye foods red?
Yes, you can achieve natural red coloring using ingredients like beets, berries, cherries, red cabbage, pomegranate, or red grape juice. These all contain pigments that will tint foods red when used in sufficient quantity.
Can I mix other colors to make red?
Under the RYB color system, red can only be made by mixing yellow and blue. Other color combinations may yield a reddish hue, but true red requires those two primary colors.
Is it safe to ingest homemade food coloring?
Homemade dyes using FDA-approved food colors like those found in commercial products are considered safe to consume. As with any dye, moderation is recommended. Avoid using non-food ingredients to color foods at home.
Conclusion
Mixing the primary colors yellow and blue to create red is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to produce vibrant red food coloring. By understanding the basics of color theory and pigment mixing, and following the proper 1:2 ratio of yellow to blue dye, you can easily achieve bright homemade red coloring.
Red food dye has many uses for decorating baked goods, beverages, fresh produce, candy and more. Making your own allows you to control the ingredients, customize the shades, and save money. So don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen by blending yellow + blue for homemade red food coloring!
