Beetroot Powder – colourful & healthy!

What is Beetroot Powder?

Beetroot powder is a powdered form of beetroot, which is derived from the root vegetable known as beet or beetroot (scientifically known as Beta vulgaris). Beetroot is known for its vibrant red color and is commonly used in cooking and juicing. The powder is created by dehydrating and grinding the beetroot, resulting in a concentrated form of the vegetable.

Beetroot powder is rich in various nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It is particularly high in folate, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C.

The ultimate natural food colouring, Beetroot powder gives the cook a palette of intense pinks and reds. Highly nutritious, with numerous reported health benefits, it’s mild and slightly sweet taste does not compromise the flavour of a dish.

Widely used in Indian cooking, such as in this recipe for Rogan Josh, it can also add vibrancy to sweet & sour dishes, pastas and goulashes and extra nutrition to soups and stews. Valuable too when baking, for colouring sponges, icings & buttercreams. Particularly wonderful when added to smoothies & vegetable juice blends! Aside from culinary uses, it can also be used in hand made soaps, bath bombs and make-up.

Beetroot powder is suitable for both vegetarians & vegans and anyone with intolerance to artificial food colourings.

Historically, beetroot has always had a place in human society. Reportedly found as charred remains dating back to Neolithic times, it was then revered by the Romans as a cure for fever, constipation and other ailments. It has long been considered to contribute to general good health and is reputedly an effective aphrodisiac, due to the presence of the mineral boron and the amino acid arginine!

More recently, beetroot has been recognized as highly effective in the reduction of blood pressure, due to the presence of nitrates. Health benefits abound including high levels of iron, which can assist in combating anaemia. Abundant in anti-oxidants, beetroot is also a good source of a wide range of other vitamins and minerals. One teaspoon of beetroot powder is approximately the equivalent of one fresh beetroot, so it’s easy to reap the benefits of this fabulous super-food by incorporating it into your cooking!