Black Burger Buns: Everything You Need to Know

Black burger buns have become a popular trend in the food industry, with their striking colour and unique appearance making them stand out from traditional burger buns. These buns have become a popular choice for fast food chains and gourmet burger restaurants alike, as they offer a creative way to add visual interest to a burger.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at black burger buns, including what they’re made of, how they’re made, their nutritional information, and whether or not they’re a healthy choice.

We’ll also provide some tips on where to find black burger buns if you’re interested in trying them out for yourself. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of black burger buns!

black burger bun

What are black burger buns made of?

Black burger buns are typically made using a combination of traditional bread ingredients, as well as a colouring agent to give them their distinctive black colour. The most common ingredients used to make black burger buns are:

  • Flour: All-purpose or bread flour is typically used as the base ingredient for black burger buns.
  • Yeast: This is used to help the dough rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
  • Sugar: This is added to help feed the yeast and give the bread a slightly sweet flavour.
  • Salt: This is added to enhance the flavour of the bread and balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
  • Eggs: Eggs are sometimes added to help bind the ingredients together and give the buns a richer flavour.
  • Butter: This is used to add richness and flavour to the buns.
  • Water: This is used to hydrate the dough and help it come together.

In addition to these traditional bread ingredients, black burger buns may also include a colouring agent to give them their distinctive black colour. The two most common colouring agents used are activated charcoal and squid ink.

Activated charcoal is a natural, food-grade product that is commonly used as a food colouring agent. It’s made by heating carbon-rich materials like coconut shells or wood to high temperatures, which creates a porous material with a large surface area. This surface area allows the activated charcoal to absorb impurities and toxins, making it a popular ingredient in health foods and supplements.

Squid ink, on the other hand, is a natural food colouring that is derived from the ink sacs of squid and other cephalopods. It has a mild, slightly briny flavour and is often used in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines to add colour and depth to dishes like pasta, risotto, and sushi.

Overall, the combination of traditional bread ingredients and colouring agents like activated charcoal or squid ink gives black burger buns their unique appearance and flavour.

How are black burger buns made?

The process of making black burger buns is similar to that of making traditional burger buns, with the addition of a colouring agent to give the dough its distinctive black colour. Here’s a general overview of how black burger buns are made:

  1. Mix the dough: The dough for black burger buns is typically made using a stand mixer or by hand. The ingredients are combined and mixed until a smooth, elastic dough is formed.
  2. Add the colouring agent: Once the dough is mixed, the colouring agent is added. Depending on the recipe, this may be activated charcoal, squid ink, or another food-grade colouring agent.
  3. Knead the dough: The dough is then kneaded by hand or with a mixer until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. Proof the dough: The dough is then allowed to rise in a warm, humid environment until it has doubled in size. This process can take anywhere from one to two hours.
  5. Shape the buns: Once the dough has risen, it’s shaped into individual buns and placed on a baking sheet.
  6. Bake the buns: The buns are then baked in a preheated oven until they’re golden brown and fully cooked.

Overall, the process of making black burger buns is fairly straightforward and similar to that of making traditional burger buns, with the addition of a colouring agent to give the dough its unique colour.

Nutritional Information of Black Burger Buns

Here’s a closer look at the nutritional information for Karaway Charcoal Burger Buns, a popular brand of black burger buns:

  • Energy: 308 Kcal per 100g
  • Fat: 7.9g per 100g (of which saturates: 4.3g per 100g)
  • Carbohydrates: 51.4g per 100g (of which sugars: 10.4g per 100g)
  • Fibre: 2g per 100g
  • Protein: 8.6g per 100g
  • Salt: 0.83g per 100g

It’s important to note that these nutritional values are based on a serving size of 100g, which may not reflect the serving size of an individual bun. In the case of Karaway Charcoal Burger Buns, each bun weighs 70g, which means that the nutritional values per bun would be:

  • Energy: 215.6 Kcal per bun
  • Fat: 5.53g per bun (of which saturates: 3.01g per bun)
  • Carbohydrates: 35.98g per bun (of which sugars: 7.28g per bun)
  • Fibre: 1.4g per bun
  • Protein: 6.02g per bun
  • Salt: 0.58g per bun

For comparison, M&S Ultimate Brioche Burger Buns contain 213 calories per 73g bun, 6.2g of fat, 5.9g of sugar, 2.6g fibre, 6.5g of protein and 0.69g of salt.

So, as you can see, black burger buns contain a similar amount of calories and nutritional values as traditional brioche burger buns. However, since the colouring agents used in black burger buns are not commonly found in traditional buns, the flavour and texture may vary slightly depending on the brand.

Are black burger buns healthy?

While black burger buns may be visually striking, they are not necessarily healthier than regular burger buns. In fact, the nutritional content of black burger buns is quite similar to that of regular burger buns. Both types of buns are typically high in carbohydrates and sugar, which can contribute to blood sugar spikes and insulin resistance if consumed in excess.

In terms of the inclusion of activated charcoal or squid ink, there is little evidence to suggest that this makes black burger buns healthier. While activated charcoal has been touted as a natural detoxifier, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims.

Similarly, while squid ink contains a range of nutrients, including iron, calcium, and vitamin B12, the small amount used in black burger buns is unlikely to provide any significant health benefits.

That being said, there are some potential risks associated with consuming black burger buns. Activated charcoal can interfere with the absorption of certain medications, including birth control pills and some prescription drugs. Additionally, consuming large amounts of activated charcoal can lead to constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Similarly, while squid ink is generally safe for consumption, it can cause allergic reactions in some people.

In conclusion, black burger buns are not necessarily healthier than regular burger buns, and the inclusion of activated charcoal or squid ink is unlikely to provide any significant health benefits.

While black burger buns are generally safe for consumption, there are some potential risks to be aware of, particularly if you are taking medications or have a seafood allergy. As with any food, moderation is key, and black burger buns should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Where to Find Black Burger Buns

Black burger buns are quite hard to find but there are still several places where you can buy them. Here are some suggestions:

Bakeries

Many specialty or artisanal bakeries offer black burger buns as part of their menu. These can be great places to find unique and high-quality buns that will take your burger game to the next level.

Restaurants

Some restaurants, particularly those that specialize in burgers, may offer black burger buns as an option. Check out your local burger joints to see if they have them on the menu.

Online retailers

If you can’t find black burger buns in stores near you, some online retailers offer them for purchase. Here are a few options:

  • Karaway Charcoal Burger Buns available from Ocado
  • Seeded Charcoal Burger Buns available from Yumbles
  • Fine Food Specialist Charcoal Burger Buns available from Amazon

How to make black burger buns at home

If you struggle to find black burger buns in stores, why not make them at home?

Making black burger buns at home is an excellent way to control the ingredients and customize the recipe to suit your preferences. The good news is that making black burger buns is not difficult, and there are various recipes available online. Here are two popular recipes that you can use to make black burger buns at home:

  1. Thermomix and Conventional Methods Recipe: This recipe uses activated charcoal powder to give the buns their black colour. The recipe requires flour, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, eggs, water, and activated charcoal powder. The recipe is straightforward to follow, and it includes both Thermomix and conventional methods. You can find the full recipe at https://becs-table.com.au/black-burger-buns-thermomix-and-conventional-methods/.
  2. Chain Baker Recipe: This recipe also uses activated charcoal to give the buns their black colour. The recipe requires white bread flour, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, eggs, milk, and activated charcoal. The recipe is easy to follow and it includes step-by-step instructions. You can find the full recipe at https://www.chainbaker.com/black-burger-buns/.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, black burger buns have become increasingly popular due to their unique appearance and potential health benefits. Based on their nutritional profile, black burger buns are generally similar to regular burger buns, but some varieties may contain additional nutrients due to the inclusion of activated charcoal or squid ink. However, it is important to note that the potential health benefits of consuming these ingredients are not yet fully understood, and there may be some risks associated with their consumption.

While black burger buns may not necessarily be healthier than regular burger buns, they can be a fun and unique addition to a meal. If you’re interested in trying them, they can be found at certain restaurants and grocery stores. Alternatively, you can also try making them at home using one of the recipes mentioned in this post.

Overall, whether or not to try black burger buns is a personal choice. They can be a fun and visually striking addition to a meal, but it is important to be aware of their potential risks and limitations.