Food-Grade Vegetable Charcoal Powder 1 kg (E153) - Natural Black Colouring for Dough

Food-Grade Vegetable Charcoal Powder 1 kg: natural black for your kitchen

The food-grade vegetable charcoal powder in the professional 1 kg format is the ingredient that allows bakeries, pizzerias, pastry shops and restaurants to achieve the characteristic deep black colour in doughs, breads, focaccia and gourmet creations. It is a charcoal of plant origin, obtained from the controlled carbonisation of selected woods and then micronised into a very fine powder, classified as the food additive E153. A natural, odourless product with a neutral taste, it colours without altering the flavour of your preparations.

Distributed by LAPA throughout Switzerland, this 1 kg format is designed for catering and food service businesses that work with large volumes and need a consistent, reliable, high-yield natural colouring.

What is food-grade vegetable charcoal E153

Food-grade vegetable charcoal is a black powder obtained from the anaerobic combustion of plant raw materials (typically woods such as poplar, birch or plant shells) followed by grinding. Unlike barbecue charcoal, it is produced according to strict food purity standards and is free from contaminants. In Europe it is identified by the code E153 and is permitted as a food colouring. Its extremely fine granularity ensures homogeneous dispersion in doughs and uniform colouring, with no lumps or grainy residue.

Culinary uses: bread, pizza and vegetable charcoal creations

Vegetable charcoal has become a must of contemporary cuisine for the strong visual impact it gives to dishes. The most common food-service applications are:

• Black bread and rolls: doughs for bread, baguette, burger buns and ciabatta in deep black, much sought after for gourmet burgers and buffets.
• Vegetable charcoal pizza: doughs for pizza and focaccia with the characteristic dark colour, valued in pizzerias as a premium and eye-catching product.
• Black fresh pasta: tagliatelle, gnocchi and filled pasta coloured naturally as an alternative to squid ink.
• Pastry and desserts: macarons, brioche, ice cream, croissants and cake bases with a spectacular colour effect.
• Breadsticks, crackers and snacks: savoury bakery products with a distinctive appearance.

Thanks to its neutral taste, vegetable charcoal colours without interfering with the recipe's aromas, leaving the dough's original flavour intact.

Recommended dosage

Vegetable charcoal has a very high colouring power: a small quantity is enough to obtain an intense black. The indicative dosage for professional use is:

• Bread and pizza doughs: about 1-2% of the flour weight (10-20 g per kg of flour).
• Fresh pasta: about 1-1.5% of the flour weight.
• Pastry and desserts: dose in small amounts until the desired colour, generally 0.5-2%.

It is advisable to sift the powder together with the dry flours before adding the liquids, to achieve uniform distribution and avoid the formation of lumps. Slightly increasing the dough hydration can help compensate for the powder's absorbent power.

Warnings and usage tips

• Vegetable charcoal has absorbent properties: it may reduce the effectiveness of some medicines taken at the same time. Moderate consumption is recommended.
• In Switzerland and the EU, the use of vegetable charcoal as a colouring (E153) is subject to the regulations in force on food additives: check the permitted product categories.
• Handle the powder carefully: being very fine and light, it tends to disperse and stain surfaces and textiles. Wearing gloves is recommended.
• Indicate the presence of additive E153 on the label of finished products, in accordance with labelling regulations.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and sources of humidity. Carefully reseal the packaging after use to prevent moisture absorption, which could compromise the flowability of the powder. Keep away from strong aromatic substances. The 1 kg format guarantees excellent yield and long shelf life thanks to the stability of the product.

Logistics and delivery in Switzerland

LAPA guarantees the distribution of Food-Grade Vegetable Charcoal 1 kg to restaurants, bakeries, pizzerias and pastry shops throughout Switzerland, with fast deliveries to the main urban and productive areas: Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Basel. The LAPA logistics network ensures reliable delivery times and continuity of supply for businesses that use this ingredient regularly.