Made from natural ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and plants, organic food colorings are free from harmful substances and often offer additional health benefits. Whether you’re baking, cooking, or creating colorful decorations, these colorants provide vibrant hues without the risks associated with artificial dyes.

Here’s a guide to the best places where you can buy organic food coloring, both online and in stores, along with some tips on choosing the right brands.

1. Online Specialty Retailers

Many online retailers specialize in organic and natural products, offering a wide selection of organic food colorings. Shopping online gives you the convenience of browsing different brands and comparing ingredients to find the one that suits your needs.

Popular Online Stores:

• Amazon: Amazon offers a variety of organic food colorings from trusted brands. Whether you’re looking for liquid, gel, or powder options, you’ll find organic colorants from brands like Watkins, ColorKitchen, and India Tree. With the added convenience of customer reviews and fast shipping, Amazon is a go-to resource.

• Imbarex: Thrive Market is known for offering organic and eco-friendly products at discounted prices. They stock several organic food coloring options from natural and clean-label brands, perfect for people looking for healthier alternatives.

• Vitacost: Vitacost specializes in health and wellness products, including organic food colorings. They carry a variety of natural brands and often offer discounts and promotions, making it easier to stock up on organic baking essentials.

• iHerb: iHerb is another popular online health store that carries organic food coloring. You can find a wide range of options, including those made from vegetable and fruit extracts, with global shipping available.

2. Health Food Stores

If you prefer to shop in person, many health food stores carry organic food coloring alongside other natural baking products. These stores often stock trusted brands that use plant-based, non-GMO ingredients, giving you peace of mind about what’s going into your food.

Popular Health Food Chains:

• Whole Foods Market: Whole Foods is well-known for offering organic and natural products. You can find a range of organic food colorings from brands like Watkins, India Tree, and Supernatural in their baking aisle. Whole Foods also has a selection of plant-based food colorings derived from fruits and vegetables.

• Sprouts Farmers Market: Sprouts is another great option for organic products. They stock natural food colorings from popular brands that use organic ingredients, often in liquid and powder forms.

• Natural Grocers: This health-focused supermarket chain carries a variety of organic food coloring options. You can find vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly products that are certified organic, free from synthetic additives, and derived from plant-based sources.

3. Specialty Baking Stores

Baking supply stores are another excellent place to find organic food coloring, especially if you're looking for more variety in terms of form and color intensity. These stores often cater to bakers and cake decorators, providing a wide range of products tailored for professional use.

Specialty Baking Stores:

• Sur La Table: Known for its wide array of kitchen supplies, Sur La Table carries premium organic food colorings. You’ll find options for all your baking needs, including natural food coloring powders and gels that provide rich hues without artificial ingredients.

• Michael’s: Michael’s, the craft and baking store, often carries food coloring in its baking section. While they stock conventional products, you can also find some organic or natural food color options from time to time, particularly around the holidays.

• Joann Fabrics and Crafts: Another craft store that also offers a baking section, Joann’s sometimes carries natural and organic food colorings alongside traditional supplies. It's worth checking their seasonal sections for organic options.

4. Supermarkets with Organic Sections

As more consumers become aware of the benefits of organic food, mainstream supermarkets are expanding their organic sections. Many large grocery chains now carry organic food coloring, usually in their natural or health food aisles.

Supermarkets to Check:

• Trader Joe’s: While Trader Joe’s has a more limited selection of baking supplies, you can occasionally find natural or organic food colorings during the holiday season or in their specialty baking section.

• Kroger: Many Kroger stores carry their own brand of organic and natural products under the Simple Truth label, which may include organic food colorings.

• Safeway/Albertsons: These supermarket chains often stock organic products in their health food aisles. Look for brands like Watkins or McCormick’s organic lines, which are made from natural ingredients.

• Walmart: Walmart’s organic section continues to grow, and you can find natural and organic food colorings from well-known brands in their baking aisle.

5. Organic Markets and Co-Ops

Local organic markets, co-ops, and farmer’s markets are great places to find more specialized, small-batch organic food colorings. These markets often focus on sustainability and may carry artisanal or small-batch products that are hard to find in large chains.

Check your local co-op or organic market for unique food colorings made from locally sourced ingredients, and feel free to ask store staff for recommendations.

6. DIY Homemade Organic Food Coloring

If you’re up for a little DIY, you can create your own organic food coloring at home using natural ingredients from your kitchen. This is a great option if you prefer to avoid processed products entirely and want full control over the ingredients.

DIY Organic Food Color Ideas:

• Red/Pink: Beet juice, pomegranate juice, or boiled raspberries.
• Yellow: Turmeric powder, saffron, or golden beets.
• Green: Spinach juice or matcha powder.
• Purple/Blue: Purple cabbage, blueberries, or butterfly pea flower.

These homemade dyes can be used in baking, cooking, or even homemade skincare products. Keep in mind that natural food colorings may be less vibrant than synthetic dyes, but they offer a healthier alternative.

7. Natural and Organic Brands to Look For

There are several reputable brands known for producing high-quality, organic food colorings. These brands use plant-based ingredients that are certified organic and free from synthetic additives.

Popular Organic Food Coloring Brands:

• Watkins: Known for its natural food colorings, Watkins offers a range of organic-certified products made from plants like spirulina, turmeric, and beets. They are available in most health food stores and online.

• ColorKitchen: ColorKitchen specializes in natural food colorings made from non-GMO, plant-based sources. Their powders are free from artificial dyes and can be found in stores like Whole Foods or online.

• India Tree: India Tree offers a line of natural food colorings made from vegetable and fruit extracts. Their colors are vibrant and certified organic, making them perfect for decorating baked goods.

• Supernatural: Supernatural focuses on clean, plant-based baking supplies, including food colorings made from natural ingredients like spirulina and turmeric. Their products are non-GMO and free from artificial ingredients.

Conclusion

Finding organic food coloring is easier than ever with a growing number of retailers and brands catering to health-conscious consumers. Whether you prefer shopping online, in health food stores, or at your local supermarket, there are plenty of options for adding vibrant, natural hues to your dishes without the use of synthetic chemicals. By choosing organic food coloring, you’re not only making a healthier choice but also supporting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.