Caramel Colour Comparisons

Colour Strength

The comparison of five Caramel Colours is intended for general guidance only. Actual colour performance is dependent upon the physical and chemical characteristics of the system in which it is being used, as well as the concentration of the specific Caramel Colour in the final product. We encourage consultation with our technical staff to choose the one colour perfect for your application.

This side-by-side comparison demonstrates the relative colour strength of five Caramel Colours. Colour strength is quantified by a measurement called Tinctorial Power, K_0.560*. The higher the Tinctorial Power, K_0.560, the darker the Caramel Colour. These five products demonstrate a range of colour strengths, but there are dozens more Caramel Colours whose strengths are between those shown. For this comparison, each colour was diluted to a 0.2% solution in water (2.0 grams per liter).

You can also see some of the differences in hue between these samples.

*Tinctorial Power, K_0.560 (TP, K_0.560) is defined as the absorbance of a 0.1% weight/volume solution measured through a 1 cm light path at a wavelength of 560 nanometers using a high quality spectrophotometer (2 nm or less bandpass).

Hue

Hue Indexes* are one way to objectively measure the "redness" of each Sethness-Roquette product. While the absolute values of each Hue Index are meaningful, the relative values are more relevant. The higher the Hue Indexes, the more red the Caramel Colour.

*Hue Indexes are a measure of the colour hue or red characteristics of a Caramel Colour. It is a function of the absorbances measures at wavelengths of 510 and 610 nanometers.