How to Achieve Consistent Color in Plant-Based Drinks

What if your next plant-based drink could achieve stunning golden color—naturally, consistently, and without compromising shelf life? That vision just moved closer to reality.

A peer-reviewed study in Food Frontiers reveals how a one-step pH infusion of raw turmeric into soymilk delivered reliable, vibrant color. Using the HunterLab ColorFlex EZ spectrophotometer, researchers tracked L*, a*, b* values to evaluate and confirm the consistency of this natural process.

Please note: the ColorFlex EZ has now been upgraded to the ColorFlex L2. For a seamless transition and added benefits, you’ll find more details in the second half of this blog.

Key Findings from the Study

This study offers compelling evidence for a practical, clean-label solution:

• 94% curcumin transfer from raw turmeric into soymilk, with stable particle size and charge
• Both curcumin–soymilk and turmeric–soymilk showed b* increases above 40 units versus plain soymilk, creating a distinct golden-yellow hue
• Both freeze-dried curcumin–soymilk and turmeric–soymilk powders remained stable over a 30-day storage period at freezing temperature.

These results highlight how tristimulus color measurement enables effective monitoring of natural pigment integration across product lifecycles. More importantly, they demonstrate a path to achieving natural color in plant-based milk—a key priority for brands focused on clean-label innovation.

Why It Matters to HunterLab Customers

For Plant-Based Beverage Producers

The study provides a scalable route to functional pigment delivery. Use ColorFlex L2 to maintain color consistency across shelf life with simple benchtop quality control.

For Turmeric and Spice Processors

Validate raw turmeric batches without requiring purified extracts. ColorFlex L2 readings enable quick grading and premium positioning for buyers.

For Nutraceutical Brands

Support label claims of protein and curcumin co-delivery. Tristimulus color data confirm dose uniformity in ready-to-mix formulations.

For Food Science R&D Teams

Leverage a peer-reviewed protocol pairing pH encapsulation with tristimulus tracking. Reproduce or expand for other botanicals.

For Quality Labs and Co-Packers

Color shift is a primary indicator of curcumin degradation. Use ColorFlex L2 for quick pass/fail metrics before packaging.

Color Science Insight: What Do L*, a*, b* Values Mean?

Hunter L, a, b and CIE 1976 L*a*b* (CIELAB) are both color scales based on the Opponent-Colors Theory, which assumes that the receptors in the human eye perceive color as the following pairs of opposites.

In 1976, the CIE recommended the CIE L*a*b*, or CIELAB, color scale for use. It was intended to provide a standard, approximately uniform color scale which could be used by everyone so that color values could be easily compared.

• L* indicates lightness, from black (0) to white (100).
• a* spans from green (−) to red (+).
• b* spans from blue (−) to yellow (+).

This objective measurement empowers producers to maintain visual and functional quality, batch after batch.

With ColorFlex L2, producers gain the tools to ensure natural color in plant-based milk remains consistent from production to shelf.

Why ColorFlex L2 is the best color spectrophotometer for plant-based beverages

We have upgraded the most relied upon 45º/0º spectrophotometer in the world, ColorFlex EZ, to the new ColorFlex L2. Offering you an even better user experience without any interruptions! You can easily transfer your ColorFlex EZ standards and data to the ColorFlex L2. Same Xenon light source and 45°a:0° annular illumination as the ColorFlex EZ provide seamless transition from old to new.

Despite its small size, requiring very little benchtop space, the ColorFlex L2 is powerful and designed to meet your specific color measurement needs.

ColorFlex L2 Spectrophotometer helps you reduce wastage of your end products, contribute towards your sustainability goals and boost brand image and top-line revenue.

• Enhanced user experience and repeatability for tighter process control
• Increased throughput for high-volume environments
• Improved connectivity and data integration for modern labs

Built for today’s food, nutraceutical, and botanical product challenges, ColorFlex L2 ensures your color metrics remain consistent, confident, and compliant.

Watch video to learn more about the seamless upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to measure color in plant-based beverages?

Use a color spectrophotometer like the ColorFlex L2 with 45/0 geometry to track L*, a*, b* values for accurate, repeatable results.

Can raw turmeric provide consistent color in drinks?

Yes. The referenced study shows 94% curcumin transfer with stable color performance over time when measured using ColorFlex.

Why is tristimulus color measurement important for QC?

It provides an objective, quantifiable metric to ensure consistency, detect degradation, and maintain product quality.

Customer Use Case: From Lab to Line

One mid-size beverage manufacturer specializing in oat- and soy-based wellness drinks implemented the ColorFlex L2 to monitor natural pigment consistency. After switching to raw turmeric for a turmeric-vanilla blend, the QC team used L*, a*, b* values to track batch color before and after pasteurization. This allowed them to maintain color uniformity, eliminate subjective visual checks, and confidently promote the drink’s “golden” hue on the label. The lab used ColorFlex L2 to streamline QC and integrate real-time pass/fail thresholds into production.

Learn More

Ready to take color consistency to the next level? Discover how the ColorFlex L2 can bring sharper quality control and speed to your plant-based beverage line.

Schedule a demo now.