How McDonald's Ensures Your Filet-O-Fish Has A Perfectly Golden Color - Tasting Table

"The famous Filet-o-Fish is not stacked high with toppings or embellished with powerful seasonings. It's an exercise in simplicity: A steamed bun, half a slice of cheese, and a brush of tartar sauce are the only accompaniments to the perfectly tender breaded filet of Alaskan pollock. Thanks to this, the filet's flavors and textures can truly be the star."

"The answer is simple and, perhaps surprisingly, all natural: A mix of turmeric and paprika. These powdered spices double as powerful dyes, and their addition to the Filet-o-Fish breading mix ensures that mouthwatering golden-brown hue."

"Both have high concentrations of oil-soluble pigments. These high concentrations mean that even small amounts are effective as dye, so their flavor may not necessarily be detected in use cases like the Filet-O-Fish. Turmeric and paprika are widely as food colorants, and their use is only expanding as companies move away from artificial dyes."

The Filet-O-Fish is a consistently popular McDonald's product with a dedicated customer base, particularly during Lent, despite receiving less attention than flagship items like the Big Mac. The sandwich features a simple composition: a steamed bun, half slice of cheese, tartar sauce, and a breaded Alaskan pollock filet. Its signature crispy, golden-brown exterior results from turmeric and paprika added to the breading mix. Both spices contain high concentrations of oil-soluble pigments that function as natural dyes, requiring only small amounts to achieve the desired color without significantly affecting flavor. As companies shift away from artificial colorants, turmeric and paprika are increasingly used as food colorants across the industry.

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