How does orange pasta get its colour?

Orange pasta gets its color from carotenoids, specifically beta-carotene. This pigment is naturally found in many fruits and vegetables, like carrots and pumpkins, and it's what gives them their vibrant orange hue.

Here's how it works:

* Ingredient: Carrot or pumpkin purée is often added to the pasta dough. This purée contains high concentrations of beta-carotene.

* Process: The carotenoids in the purée are mixed into the flour and water, giving the pasta its distinctive orange color.

* Result: The final product is a delicious and visually appealing pasta with a slightly sweet flavor, thanks to the naturally occurring sugars in the vegetables.

Fun fact: Beta-carotene is actually a precursor to vitamin A, making orange pasta a healthy choice as well!