dorés

Dorés is the plural form of the French adjective doré, meaning gold-colored or gilded. In ordinary use it describes surfaces, objects, or foods that have a gold appearance or finish. The term derives from or, the French word for gold, and has long been used to convey a sense of warmth and luminosity in art, craftsmanship, and cuisine.

In art and decorative arts, doré refers to gilding, the application of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface. Techniques include dorure à la feuille d’or (gold leaf) and dorure à la cire. Dorés surfaces are common in religious icons, picture frames, furniture, and metalwork, where gold contributes both beauty and a sense of value or sanctity.

In cooking, doré describes browning or a golden color achieved through frying, roasting, or baking. Examples include pommes dorées (golden potatoes) and poulet doré (roast chicken with a golden crust). The term is used to signal a desirable, appetizing appearance rather than only a color.

Color-wise, doré denotes a warm, metallic gold shade rather than a plain yellow. Variants range from pale doré to a deeper, more saturated gold. In modern design, doré tones are used to evoke luxury and tradition, often alongside bronze or argenté (silver) contrasts.

See also: dorure, or (gold), gold leaf.