Greener Than Nature: The Chlorophyll Trick in Chutneys

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Ever wondered why some bottled green chutneys look brighter and more “fresh from the silbatta” than the ones you make at home? Spoiler alert: it’s not magic, and it’s not just the chillies. Sometimes manufacturers decide that nature’s green isn’t quite green enough… so they make it greener.

That’s exactly what’s happening in Kissan Chilli Peanut Thecha Chutney with the addition of Natural Food Color (Chlorophyll).

Images: Open Food Facts

Although it contains a high percentage of green ingredients which provide natural green colour: Green chillies – 24% & Coriander puree (part of the 40% vegetables) but it still has added chlorophyll as a cosmetic ingredient!

Chlorophyll (E140 / E140i) is a natural green food colour extracted from plants (typically grass, alfalfa, spinach, nettles, or similar). It is permitted in India and many other countries as a food additive.

Some commercial green chutneys and sauces add chlorophyll purely to maintain an attractive bright green appearance throughout the shelf life.

Sometimes, even the greenest things need a little extra green help to stay camera-ready. 😉

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