It's food coloring.
When I first started eating Moroccan dishes they always had it in there and I wasn't very adept at using the bread and my fingers would always be died orange. lol
2007-07-31 14:49:54 · 3 answers · asked by Sassafrass 6 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Morocco
Yeah, we don't use a whole packet either just a little shake and not even all the time---but YIKES! I didn't know that!
I wouldn't mind using saffron either but wouldn't that change the flavor? I like saffron but not enough to flavor everything with it.
2007-08-01 02:07:09 · update #1
I do prefer to use saffron but sometimes I can't resist the yellowness and I do use the colorant :-)
I guess after what Sara told I will have to make the new box my mother in law sent disappear...my husband is totally into the colorant.
2007-08-01 16:34:52 · answer #1 · answered by lou 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't like to use it but I admit I do. I use very little unlike many Moroccans who will use an entire packet. I have a shaker of it and use one small shake. It makes the tagine look prettier.
Colorant alimentaire is 62% tartrazine which is actually banned in some countries. It is derived from coal tar! It is used in many sodas, candies, chips, condiments for color.
Saffron would obtain the same goal but is expensive.
Now that I typed this out, though I have known it for quite some time, I am not going to use it anymore! It only takes 2-4 strings of saffron to obtain the color and I think I can handle the price lol.
A couple strands of saffron will add flavor but it is very subtle. It is traditionally used in tagine the colorant was the replacement due to cost.
2007-08-01 07:38:50 · answer #2 · answered by ~~∞§arah T∞©~~ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Our family doesn't use it much, and I am glad. I haven't mastered the bread technique well either, so I am always give an fork :-)
2007-08-01 11:12:52 · answer #3 · answered by ♥ terry g ♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋