Difference Between Edible Glitter & Luster Dust

Difference Between Edible Glitter & Luster Dust


Listen to article
Audio is generated by DropInBlog's AI and may have slight pronunciation nuances. Learn more

We are often asked, what is the difference between edible glitter and luster dust? Well today - we are gonna break down the specific differences between each product line AND their best intended uses! Here is a quick overview on the differences between edible glitter and luster dust!

** All products used in this demonstration will be linked at the end of this blog! So be sure to scroll all the way down! **

WHAT IS EDIBLE LUSTER DUST?

100% Edible Luster Dust are powder food colors that shimmer. They are best known for creating metallic paints on cakes and confections by diluting with spirits or extracts! You can not only paint luster dust, but you can dry dust them and airbrush them! We have many tutorials on how to properly use edible luster dust on any confection!

Not all luster dusts are edible, however. Many are passing off to be edible or "non-toxic" - this is commonly found in highlighter, which is neither edible or non-toxic. Highlighter actually contains heavy metals inside of it's formula and should NEVER be used on confections that are going to be consumed. Cake decorators have skirted by this controversial issue by using it on toppers that are to be removed from their final product, but the FDA is becoming more serious about highlighter not coming in contact with any food, whatsoever. There are many articles that go over this issue in much detail. 

When a luster dust is 100% edible, you will be able to find 3 things on the label:

  1. Ingredient list
  2. Lot Number
  3. Expiration date

If any of these items are missing from your luster dust, refrain from using it on your confections and call the manufacturer for the missing information. If they are unable to provide the information, then it is safe to assume it a decorative use only product. 

All luster dusts here at The Sugar Art are 100% edible, FDA Compliant and Kosher Certified! You can rest assured your product is safe for all of your confections ... including the GORGEOUS Mermaid Luster Dust (click here) you see below!

WHAT IS EDIBLE GLITTER?

Edible Glitter are powdered food colors that REALLY sparkle! The same FDA compliant mica is found in 100% edible glitter, just much larger than those found in your edible luster dust. Since the sparkles are much larger, it is impossible to try and paint your edible glitter! It's intended use is to be applied topically - sprinkle or spray on TOP of your confection!

You should never try adding anything to your edible glitter, as it would ruin the food colors inside of it and ultimately destroy your entire product. Edible glitter needs to stay dry in order to properly function.  We have a full blog demonstration at THIS LINK explaining the best practices to use your edible glitter on many different confections!

Full Tutorial - How To Use Edible Glitter

Your confection will always need SOME moisture for the edible glitter to adhere. If using on cakes, be sure to spray on fresh buttercream or fondant! On chocolate, you want to use just before the chocolate loses it's shine or sprinkle it inside of your mold before pouring in the chocolate. For cookies, you wait until the icing JUST crusts over before applying it! All practices are discussed and demonstrated in detail at the link above!

THANK YOU!

We appreciate your support so much and hope you enjoyed this tutorial on explaining the difference between edible glitter and luster dust! Linking all products used in this demonstration below!

Be sure to tag us if you try our luster dust or edible glitter! Click all links below to follow!

Instagram: @thesugarart

TikTok: @thesugarartinc

Facebook: The Sugar Art, Inc.

YouTube: The Sugar Art

Mermaid Luster Dust

Mermaid Luster Dust

$7.00

TEAL LUSTER DUST, OUR TEAL EDIBLE DUSTING POWDER! DRY-DUST THIS TEAL FOOD COLORING ON CAKES, COOKIES, CHOCOLATES & MORE FOR A GORGEOUS SHINE! ALSO MIX THE LUXURIOUS LUSTER DUST WITH EXTRACTS & SPIRITS TO CREATE AN EDIBLE METALLIC MERMAID FOOD… read more

Mermaid Edible Glitter

Mermaid Edible Glitter

$9.00

MERMAID EDIBLE GLITTER IS A BRIGHT BLUE WITH GOLD UNDERTONES & SPARKLE! THIS COLOR WILL BECOME OUR BRAND NEW BEST SELLING DIAMONDUST, IT IS THAT GOOD! USE FOR CAKES, COOKIES, CANDY, DRINKS OR FOOD! THIS VERY FINE EDIBLE GLITTER DUST IS TASTELESS & LEAVES… read more

The Color Solution

The Color Solution

$10.00

CREATE THE MOST INCREDIBLE DIY EDIBLE PAINT WITH OUR BRAND NEW FOOD COLOR PAINT SOLUTION!  BEST USED WITH ELITE COLORS AND EDIBLE LUSTER DUSTS! FOR MORE INFORMATION AROUND THE PRODUCT AND FOR A VIDEO DEMONSTRATION, CLICK THE LINK BELOW! PLEASE… read more

Paint Brush Set

Paint Brush Set

$16.00

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM PAINT BRUSH SET CREATED BY THE SUGAR ART! THIS SELECTION OF BRUSHES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET ALL OF YOUR PASTRY NEEDS! CUSTOM FOR CAKES, COOKIES & ALL CONFECTIONS! FROM WET TO DRY APPLICATIONS, YOU WILL FIND THE PERFECT… read more

Paint Palette & Spatula

Paint Palette & Spatula

$12.00

STAINLESS STEEL PAINT PALETTE FOR ALL OF YOUR CONFECTION PAINTING NEEDS! PALETTE COMES WITH A SMALL SPATULA TO MAKE THE EASE OF TRANSPORTING YOUR DUSTS FOR PAINTING, SEAMLESS! ALSO TRY OUR INCREDIBLE PAINT BRUSH SETS AND COLOR SOLUTION FOR PAINTING ELITES… read more

« Back to Blog