Gardenia Yellow is extracted from ripe gardenia fruit (Gardenia jasminoides) using water or ethanol. The primary pigments are crocin and crocetin (the same pigments found in saffron).
It provides bright yellow colour, is water-soluble, heat-stable and pH-stable (pH 4-10). Widely approved and used in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) for noodles, confectionery, beverages and dairy products.