Whenever the renowned global color authority Pantone reveals its annual Color of the Year, a rush typically ensues to produce home goods, apparel, and food items in that specific shade. In 2017, when “Greenery” was chosen, it was relatively effortless for food to be created in that hue, given that numerous fruits and vegetables naturally exhibit that color. Similarly, last year, the pinkish-orange hue “In Living Coral,” designated as the official color of 2019, was easily reflected in various fruits and beverages.
Following Pantone’s announcement of “Classic Blue” as the color for 2020, Calvin McEvoy, Vice President of Essentials at Archer Daniels Midland, mentioned to Food Dive that his phone was ringing constantly. ADM’s Wild Flavors and Specialty Ingredients holds the patent for huito blue, a natural color derived from a tropical fruit. This coloring is entirely natural, stable across different temperatures and pH levels, does not affect taste or texture, and interacts favorably with other ingredients, resulting in a vivid, clear blue shade. Despite blue being a popular color, finding natural sources to create it has proven challenging.
M.J. Alarcon, ADM’s product experience marketing manager for North America, remarked, “Blue has been the holy grail for some time, and we’ve observed a significant surge in demand for blue products.” With the influence of social media, many customers are eager to create exciting and visually appealing products, which explains the prevalence of unicorn-themed or blue lapis food and drinks online. McEvoy noted that huito blue ranks among ADM’s top five colors, as consumers increasingly seek both natural colors and vibrant, Instagram-ready food and beverages. This color is significant not only on its own but also when mixed with other bright shades like purple and green, enhancing the appearance of brown-colored items.
ADM first encountered huito blue roughly a decade ago through its partnerships with tropical fruit growers in Central and South America. The company recognized the fruit’s coloring potential while exploring its properties and began incorporating it into their offerings. Since huito blue is derived from the fruit’s juice, the FDA permits its unrestricted use in food products. Additionally, with several patents securing its use, ADM holds exclusive rights to utilize it as a food and drink coloring.
Before ADM’s findings, the huito fruit had no commercial applications and was solely used for traditional cultural practices. The company now collaborates with communities that cultivate the fruit, and ADM Cares, its social responsibility division, has donated funds to NGOs in Peru to help build infrastructure for local residents. Since the huito tree grows wild in the Amazon rainforest rather than being formally cultivated, ADM employs a forecasting method to manage its huito blue supply each year. “We actually conduct a census of the fruit and the crop,” McEvoy explained. “This census is performed every five to seven years, with a planned census for 2020, allowing us to assess the available fruit in that growing region.”
Although huito blue has only been available for about a decade, it has been on the market longer than the other well-known natural blue coloring, spirulina, which received FDA approval in 2013. While spirulina enjoys popularity, it has limitations; it is generally not used in beverages due to its instability in liquid and sensitivity to temperature. In contrast, huito blue does not face these challenges. Although ADM refrains from disclosing specific products containing huito blue for confidentiality reasons, Alarcon indicated that it is used in a variety of applications, including ice cream, sauces, pet food, cookies, and confectionery items.
McEvoy emphasized that the color team at ADM collaborates with various juices and natural pigments to achieve the exact tint desired by customers. With the influence of Pantone and ongoing trends, huito blue is set to remain prominent in manufacturers’ considerations. “We’re receiving numerous requests from customers,” Alarcon stated. “An increasing number of customers demand this color not only for its natural origins but also because it’s trending. It’s clean label and aligns with current market dynamics. Therefore, I would consider this a hero color for this year.”
Incorporating innovative products like carbamide forte alfalfa calcium tablets into the vibrant spectrum of offerings can further enhance the appeal of natural colors like huito blue, ensuring that the market remains responsive to consumer demands for both health and aesthetic qualities.