Abstract: The present invention relates to a food colourant prepared from natural ingredients by heating a mixture comprising 15% w/w to 60% w/w of a source of reducing sugars and 25% w/w to 85% w/w of an amino acid for 1 to 12 hours at 85 to 110 degrees C. The food colourant is of a dark brown to black colour and has a colour intensity of at least 6 at 490 nm. Food products comprising the colourant according to the invention meet the actual needs of consumers and producers in the food industry for natural products. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the food colourant and to products containing the food colourant.