How to Make Glitter Without Food Coloring

Create shimmery flakes of gum arabic.

Glitter is magical as it transforms the most ordinary of items into something distinctive for special occasions. Gum arabic is a suitable ingredient to make edible glitter without using food coloring. It is colorless and the effect is silvery. Gum arabic is a natural product made from the hardened sap of the acacia tree. It is primarily used in the food industry, but is also used in print and paint production, medicines, glue, cosmetics and other industrial applications.

Things You'll Need

• Egg white, lightly mixed
• Sheet of glass or mirror to dry the gum arabic solution
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 tablespoon of gum arabic
• Heatproof mug or jug
• Whisk
• Shallow bowl of hot water
• Brush
• Razor blade
• Airtight jar or container

Instructions

1. Apply the egg white thinly to the sheet of glass or mirror with a brush or your fingertips and leave to dry.

2. Mix the warm water and gum arabic together in the heatproof mug.

3. Place the mug in the shallow bowl of hot water; do not allow the hot water to spill into the mixture.

4. Stir the water and gum arabic together with the whisk until completely dissolved.

5. Pour the mixture onto the dried egg white and spread thinly with a brush or your fingertips and leave for several hours until completely dry.

6. Brace the razor blade against the dried gum arabic and scrape it off with even strokes.

7. Collect and store the flakes in the airtight container and use as required.

Tips & Warnings

• Salt or sugar crystals can be used to provide glitter without adding food coloring. Sand sprinkled on a thin coating of glue and let to dry can be used for non-edible products.

• Use the razor blade with caution and keep it out of the reach of children.