Have you ever received one of our happy turtle straws with one of your cocktails, juice or cold brew, and admired its soft green, warm red, or bright yellow colour and might have wondered: How are these colours made?
Today I have the answer for you, and it is quite natural and simple.
According to the ingredient list that our wonderful experts at The Happy Turtle Straw factory have provided us, every coloured straw starts with the same base: 80% rice starch, tapioca starch, and water. Then, depending on the desired shade, a small amount of plant-based powder is added, usually just 1–2%. That is all it takes to transform our eco-friendly straws from plain into colourful beauties.
Allow me to break down how each colour come to life:
The first ones to be created are the white ones, although plain, this creamy white colour never goes out of style and is elegant and pairs well with every decor. These straws are the most natural of them all, made with 80% rice starch and 20% tapioca, there’s no added colour at all; just the soft, ivory tone of the starch itself.
The pastel green shade comes from pandan leaf powder. With just 2% pandan mixed into the dough, it is enough for the straws to take on a soft, refreshing natural green colour.
The beautiful blue straws owe their colour to Clitoria Ternatea, commonly known as blue bellvine or Asian pigeonwings, it is a pretty blue flower which is ground into a powder to give the straws its hue. Known for its bright, natural pigment, just 2% is enough to create a striking blue.
For the warm red tone, the straws use red yeast rice powder. Again, 2% of this natural colourant blends beautifully into the rice-tapioca base, giving it this terracotta shade.
The yellow straws get their bright colour thanks to 1% turmeric starch. Turmeric is such a strong natural dye that even this small amount creates this vibrant sunny shade.
Finally, if you love darker colours, you’ll appreciate the Black straws. They get their colour from bamboo charcoal powder. At 2%, the charcoal gives the straws a muted shade that looks sleek, modern and elegant.
Every colour of this beautiful rainbow of straws is made entirely from sustainable ingredients that come from real botanical powders with absolutely no chemicals or no artificial dyes. Because the colours are mixed directly into the rice-tapioca dough, the hues are natural, consistent and solid all throughout, completely food-safe,and safe for our planet.
