Method for preparing a 3-deoxy-5-hydroxyanthocyanidin salt having a 4' and/or 7 OH substituent from a corresponding acylated flavanone, by (1) reducing the acylated flavanone in a solvent medium by reaction with an alkali borohydride to form a corresponding flavan not having an OH substituent at the 4 position, and (2) oxidizing the flavan or an acylated or hydrolyzed derivative of the flavan in an organic solvent medium by reaction with a halogenated benzoquinone in the presence of a strong acid and water. Suitable acylated flavanones include acetylated natural flavanones, especially acetylated naringenin and hesperetin.