Beetroot (Chukandar) Powder at Home: Lip Tint, Pink Roti, Hair (Video)

Transcript

Beetroot Powder DIY

Ever wondered how a simple beet can turn your kitchen into a pink-tinted studio? Let’s dive into making beetroot powder at home.

Low and Slow Secret

The secret is low and slow. Slice or grate the beetroot thin, dry it at just 50 to 60 degrees, then grind and store it in the dark. The result is a vibrant pink powder you can use for roti, idli, a sheer lip tint, or a subtle hair gloss.

How to Make Powder

Pick firm, heavy beetroots without soft spots. Slice them as thin as you can, about two to three millimetres, or grate them coarsely for faster drying. Lay the pieces in a single layer on a baking paper-lined tray and dry in an oven set to 50-60 °C, keeping the door propped open. Turn them every hour until completely dry, then grind into powder and keep it sealed in a dark container.

At a Glance

High heat, strong sunlight, light storage, and baking soda are the enemies of that ruby hue. A teaspoon per cup of flour barely tastes like beet. On skin it leaves a sheer, temporary pink, and on dark hair you’ll see a faint red glint only in sunlight.

Pink Roti, Idli, Frosting

Add one to two teaspoons of the powder to each cup of whole-wheat flour for pink roti or paratha, mixing before you add water. For idli or dosa, stir a teaspoon into the batter right before steaming. You can also tint frosting or kheer with half a teaspoon per cup, adding after cooking. Even a teaspoon in the cooking water will give rice or pasta a playful pink hue.

Lip Tint DIY

Melt a teaspoon of your favorite balm base, plain ghee, coconut oil, or a homemade blend, over gentle heat. Stir in a pinch of beetroot powder, about a quarter to an eighth of a teaspoon, making sure it’s sifted through a fine cloth so it’s smooth. Pour the mixture into a tiny tin, let it set, and dab a little on your lips for a sheer berry flush that lasts until you eat or drink.

Hair Colour Hint

Mix two tablespoons of beetroot powder into a cup of plain conditioner, work it through damp, clean hair, and leave it on for thirty to forty-five minutes before rinsing with cool water. On black or dark brown hair you’ll notice almost nothing indoors, but in sunlight a faint burgundy glint appears. On grey, light, or bleached hair the colour shows up pink, fading after a few washes.

Myth: Skin Lightening

A beetroot face pack or lip scrub can give you a pink tint for an hour, and that’s often mistaken for a lasting glow in before-and-after videos. The powder doesn’t lighten skin, and dark lips usually stem from sun exposure, smoking, dryness, or genetics. Real solutions involve SPF lip balm, staying hydrated, and avoiding habits that dry out the lips.

Who Should Be Careful

Because beetroot powder is concentrated, a spoonful contains far more oxalate than a slice on your plate. If you’ve had kidney stones, stick to food-level amounts and check with your doctor. It’s also high in natural nitrate, so people on blood-pressure medication should consult a professional before using it daily. Large doses may cause bloating or loose stools, and you might notice pink urine.

Honest Benefits

In food it delivers the same fibre, folate, potassium and nitrates you’d get from fresh beetroot, just in a smaller dose. It replaces artificial colour with a natural hue, and as a cosmetic it simply adds a temporary tint. That’s the honest list of what a homemade jar can do.

Surprising Beetroot Facts

The red pigment in beetroot, called betanin, is an approved food colour listed as E162 and appears in yoghurts, sweets and ice creams. And the humble sugar beet, a pale cousin of chukandar, supplies a large share of the world’s table sugar.

Thanks for Watching

If you’d like to read the full guide, head over to thecareonline.com, and remember this isn’t medical advice, just home-made tips.