Food Coloring Preferences

In preparation for our next Toolbox Talk, all about food coloring, Liesbet and I would like to better understand the types and brands of food coloring used for different cookie decorating tasks (i.e., tinting icing vs. painting) and why, and if there are any geographical differences in these preferences. As with our recent meringue powder survey, these results will fuel the building of a broader Cookie Connection database designed to understand usage of a wide variety of decorating products.

This survey is divided into three parts (one about colorings used in icing, another about colorings used for painting on cookies, and another one with three quick demographic questions). But the survey is short (only 17 questions) and goes quite fast (5 minutes or less)! So please give it a go!

Thanks in advance for participating!

IMPORTANT:

(1) Fill-in-the-blank questions are hard to construct here, as the site's new survey software only allows for multiple choice. For the fill-in-the-blank questions below (Questions 6 and 8), please hit the "Other" option and then write your response in the box that appears. Responses are limited to 255 characters.

(2) Likewise, if you select any "Other" options in multiple choice questions, please also specify what that "Other" is in the box that appears.

(3) If a question does not apply to you, DO NOT skip it; instead, select the "N/A (not applicable)" option.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR INPUT!

Part 1 - Q1: What TYPE of food coloring do you most often use to TINT royal icing? (Select one only.)

Gel

Paste

Powder

Soft- or Liqua-gel (with a drop dispenser)

Liquid

Other

Part 1 - Q5: Where do you most often buy your preferred coloring for TINTING royal icing? (Select one only.)

Brick-and-mortar cake supply or decorating shop

Brick-and-mortar craft store

Online cake supply or decorating site

Online, directly from the manufacturer's site

Other online retailer

Other

Part 1 - Q6: What, if anything, would you like to change about the PRIMARY food coloring you use to TINT royal icing (i.e., in order to improve upon it)?

N/A (not applicable); I can't think of anything that would improve my primary food coloring

Other

Part 1 - Q7: Do you have a secondary BRAND of coloring that you regularly use to TINT royal icing?

Yes

Part 1 - Q8: What is the name of your secondary BRAND, AND under what circumstances do you use it instead of your primary brand to TINT icing? [If you answered "Yes" to Q7, select the "Other" option and fill in the blank; otherwise, select the "N/A" option.]

N/A (not applicable); I don't have a secondary brand that I regularly use

Other

Part 2 - Q9: What TYPE of food coloring do you most often use to PAINT on cookies? (Select one only.)

Airbrush coloring

Gel

Paste

Powder

Soft- or Liqua-gel (with a drop dispenser)

Liquid

N/A (not applicable); I rarely paint my cookies

Other

Part 2 - Q13: Do you have a secondary BRAND of coloring that you regularly use to PAINT on cookies?

Yes

N/A (not applicable); I rarely paint my cookies

Part 2 - Q14: What is the name of your secondary BRAND, AND under what circumstances do you use it instead of your primary brand for PAINTING on cookies? [If you answered "Yes" to Q13, select the "Other" option and fill in the blank; otherwise, select the most relevant "N/A" option.]

N/A (not applicable); I rarely paint my cookies

N/A (not applicable); I don't have a secondary brand that I use regularly for painting on cookies

Other

Part 3 - Q 16: Are you a hobbyist or professional cookie decorator? (By professional, we mean someone who sells decorated cookies or other related items, such as cookie decorating products or classes.)

Hobbyist

Professional

Neither; I don't decorate cookies or sell any cookie-related items

Part 3 - Q17: How long have you been decorating cookies?

Less than 1 year

1 to 3 years

4 to 7 years

8 to 10 years

More than 10 years

Posted by Julia M. Usher · 5/19/164:33 PM