Caustic Sulphite Caramel
What it does
Brown colour.
How it's made
Sugars heated with sulphite compounds.
Caustic sulphite caramel is one of the four caramel colours, used to give brown shades to products such as some spirits and other beverages. It differs from plain caramel in that sulphite compounds are used during its manufacture, which influences its colour properties and how it behaves in acidic drinks.
It is made by heating food-grade carbohydrates (sugars or glucose syrups) in the presence of sulphite-containing compounds but without ammonium compounds. The sulphite reactants take part in the browning reactions and give the caramel particular characteristics, such as a specific electrical charge that helps it stay stable in certain products.
The dark caramel produced is standardised for colour strength and supplied as a liquid or powder. Because it is made with sulphite but no ammonia, it sits between plain caramel and the ammonia caramels, and its use is matched to products where its particular stability suits the formulation.
Possible reactions
Contains sulphites — may affect sensitive people.