Cochineal is a tiny insect that lives on Cactus plants. It produces carminic acid as a defense against predators and it is this acid, when extracted from the insect, that makes the dye. It takes about 75,000 insects to make a pound of dye. Depending on the mordant used with it, it can produce vibrant red, scarlet, orange, and purple.
Our Cochineal is a Fair Trade organic product that comes direct from a wonderfully hard-working, five family farming co-op in Peru. Very fresh!
