The invention relates to a water dispersible composition containing carotenoid crystals and used for giving red color, and provides the water dispersible composition containing slightly-refined hydrocarbon carotenoid crystals and used for giving red color. Provided is a water dispersible composition with a ratio, below a constant value, of specific yellow-displaying absorbance to specific red-displaying absorbance, and a method for manufacturing the same when the water dispersible composition contains hydrocarbon carotenoid crystals, especially [beta]-carotene or lycopene crystals when dispersed in a specific emulgator and absorbance of 0.004% aqueous solution (W/V) is measured. The water dispersible composition may give red color to colored materials or products.
