Gardenia

Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants whose fruits, from Gardenia jasminoides, serve as a source of food colourants. The pigments are chiefly yellow carotenoids built around crocin and its relatives, accompanied by iridoid glycosides such as geniposide. Natural colour manufacturers extract and standardise these yellows for confectionery, noodles and beverages seeking plant-derived hues. Like all colour additives, gardenia colours are used within regulated limits and declared on labels, and their stability to heat, light and pH decides which applications suit them.