These dyes are calledanthocyaninsand researchers have been worked for over a decade to isolate blue anthocyanins from cabbage.
The problem is that the substance is only available in very small quantities naturally.
Blue colors are really quite rare in naturea lot of them are really reds and purples,explainsDenish.
Photo: Rebecca Robbins, Mars Wrigley Global Innovation Center
This is where Denish’s work comes into play.
Suddenly, the quantity wasn’t a problem and that’s when the fun began.
In fact, getting a good shade ofgreenis dependent on blue.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Olga Guchek/Shutterstock
Many of the natural dyes currently used to create green have heavy purple undertones.
Purple plus yellow equals brown, so youre not going to get a very vibrant green, shares Denish.
This includes determining if it’s 100% safe for human consumption and making it past the FDA.
