Coloring Buttercream - Weird Taste

[bupbup74]

Hello,

The other day I was making pink buttercream, and after I had added the color (Wilton Gel Color), I tasted it, and the icing had a funky flavor. I had to add a whole lot more vanilla extract to it, to cover up the bad flavor, and even then I could still kind of taste it. This has happened a couple of other times with other colors as well. I'm not using very much color - just one or two toothpicks dipped is all.

Has anyone else had this problem? How do you keep it from happening, or cover it up?

Thanks!

[beachcakes]

I know this happens with Wilton's red and black if you use alot, but i wouldn't think a few toothpicks would do it. that's too bad. I use Americolor for the most part and don't notice a funky taste.

[Amanda]

Are your colors old? I don't know if they go bad, but it was just a thought. If you've had it happen before maybe you should try getting some new ones. Maybe there was a bad batch at the factory, or something? Really, I'm just guessing....
I really like the Americolor. No toothpicks, and cheaper than the Wilton. If you decide to get some new, give it a shot.
Good luck!

ps...welcome to intotheoven bupbup!!

[bupbup74]

I just bought the colors, so I don't think it's that they're old - unless of course they've been on the shelf too long!!

I was thinking about trying the Americolor colors anyway, so I guess I'll just have to try them earlier than expected.

Thanks!

[k_anncookies]

I just got a box of Americolor gel coloring for christmas and LOVE the little squirt bottles they come in. You should see the mess of a container that holds my Wilton colors....here's a visual: I was decorating cookies, i had colored my icing with some yellow food coloring, frosted a cookie, and as i laid it on the cooling rack, i saw blood on the cookie, from my finger! I was freaking out because i had no idea how i managed to cut my finger....moments later, after inspecting my finger for the cut, i realized i had red food coloring all over my finger along with all my little containers....ugh! Almost had a slight panic attack! Needless to say, i cleaned up my wilton containers.

[Amanda]

Those toothpicks are a real PITA, aren't they? I didn't realize it until I switched over to the Americolor. What a difference! I'm still getting used to calling my colors different names, though...

[2sdae]

I like the americolor gels and powdered coloring much, much better. Their airbrush colors are awesome too!

[bupbup74]

Originally Posted by k_anncookies

I just got a box of Americolor gel coloring for christmas and LOVE the little squirt bottles they come in. You should see the mess of a container that holds my Wilton colors....here's a visual: I was decorating cookies, i had colored my icing with some yellow food coloring, frosted a cookie, and as i laid it on the cooling rack, i saw blood on the cookie, from my finger! I was freaking out because i had no idea how i managed to cut my finger....moments later, after inspecting my finger for the cut, i realized i had red food coloring all over my finger along with all my little containers....ugh! Almost had a slight panic attack! Needless to say, i cleaned up my wilton containers.

I can totally imagine that happening to me. I was coloring fondant red the other day, and even though I was wearing gloves, it was making the hugest mess, and my kids were totally grossed out. I learned to grease the gloves with shortening first before coloring anymore fondant now. No more mess!

Amanda - the thing I don't like about the toothpicks also, is that you have to get a new toothpick everytime you need to add more color, and I usually end up getting color all over several of the toothpicks in the box. Major PITA!!

[beachcakes]

That is just one of the advantages of using Americolor - no toothpicks!! Somehow I'd manage to get color everywhere!!

[elizw]

Originally Posted by bupbup74

Hello,

The other day I was making pink buttercream, and after I had added the color (Wilton Gel Color), I tasted it, and the icing had a funky flavor. I had to add a whole lot more vanilla extract to it, to cover up the bad flavor, and even then I could still kind of taste it. This has happened a couple of other times with other colors as well. I'm not using very much color - just one or two toothpicks dipped is all.

Has anyone else had this problem? How do you keep it from happening, or cover it up?

Thanks!

i do like americolor. but, when it come to red or black, i prefer wilton. especially, wilton's "no taste red". pink in either brand does have a taste to it if you are making dark, dark pink. however, light pink really shouldn't be problem.