The disclosure relates to a light color or a low color rosin or a rosin ester composition. The rosin ester comprises a reaction product of one or more rosins, one or more polyhydric alcohols, and optionally one or more monocarboxylic acids, and optionally one or more polycarboxylic acids having from 2 to 54 carbon atoms; from 0 ppm to 200 ppm of a co-catalyst, and optionally, a disproportionation catalyst, an esterification catalyst, or combinations thereof. The co-catalyst has a triplet formation quantum yield (ϕT) of greater than 0.5 and a triplet lifetime (τT) of greater than 0.5 microseconds. Methods to prepare the rosin ester compositions and uses of the compositions are also disclosed.