The present invention is directed to an edible coating comprising rhodoxanthin. This edible coating has a red value a* of at least 36 at the CIELAB color scale. In embodiments of the present invention the edible coating further comprises ²-carotene or 8-apo-²-caroten-8-al. This edible coating is preferably used for coating confectionary such as chocolate lentils. The present invention is also directed to precursors of such edible coatings such as sugar syrup and sugar-free alternatives, both comprising rhodoxanthin and optionally ²-carotene or 8-apo-²-caroten-8-al.
