Comparing E160C - Paprika extract vs E161H - Zeaxanthin

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Overview

E160C - Paprika extract

Paprika extract (E160c) is a natural color made from red peppers (Capsicum annuum). It gives foods warm orange to deep red shades with little to no taste at typical use levels. You’ll see it in snacks, sauces, soups, cheeses, and more as a simple way to make foods look appetizing.

E161H - Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin (E161h) is a yellow‑orange carotenoid pigment found naturally in foods like corn, orange peppers, and egg yolks. It’s used as a colouring ingredient in some markets and is better known as a component of eye‑health supplements alongside lutein. Regulatory rules vary by country, so you’ll most often see zeaxanthin on dietary supplement labels rather than everyday foods.

Synonyms

E160c

Paprika extract

capsanthin

capsorubin

Paprika oleoresin

oleoresin of paprika

oleoresin paprika

paprika color

colored with paprika

E161h

Zeaxanthin

Functions

colour

Origins

Plant

Microbiological

Synthetic

Products

Found in 8,402 products

Found in 18 products

Search rank & volume

#2222.9K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#1518K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.05

under-aware

×51.05

over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 9 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

What color is paprika?
Paprika extract (E160c) gives orange‑red to deep red hues, appearing yellow‑orange at low use levels and deeper red at higher levels.
Is paprika just for color?
As an additive, paprika extract is used primarily as a coloring; at typical doses it contributes little flavor, though it may add a mild peppery note.
How is paprika extract made?
It’s produced by solvent-extracting ground paprika peppers (Capsicum annuum) with food‑grade solvents like hexane or ethanol to concentrate carotenoids (capsanthin, capsorubin), then removing solvent and standardizing in oil; water‑dispersible forms are made by emulsification or saponification.
What does the color paprika look like?
A warm, natural red—ranging from yellow‑orange to deep red depending on concentration and the product.
What is paprika extract color?
Reddish‑orange to deep red, due to the carotenoids capsanthin and capsorubin.