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February 25, 2017
The Bug That Had the World Seeing Red
The tiny creature—a parasitic scale insect known as cochineal—was transformed into a precious commodity. Breeders in Mexico’s southern highlands began cultivating cochineal, selecting for both quality and color over many generations. The results were spectacular. The carminic acid in female cochineals could be used to create a dazzling spectrum of reds, from soft rose to gleaming scarlet to deepest burgundy. Though it took as many as 70,000 dried insects to make a pound of dye, they surpassed all other alternatives in potency and versatility. - Nexus - Zócalo Public Square
Posted by gerardvanderleun at February 25, 2017 7:34 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
It's a feature, not a bug. ->->(Ducks for cover)->->->.
Posted by: BillH at February 25, 2017 8:22 AM
My wife is a science teacher and she has been using cochineal in science experiments for her Jr. High students for years. They order some from a dealer but also pick fresh ones from prickly pear found here in Texas.
Posted by: Rambler at February 25, 2017 4:37 PM
A similar dye may be obtained from dessicated parasitic politicians of the Leftist (Stalinist/Maoist
Hitlerist Red) breed.
Dessication is best carried out in voting booths.
Posted by: Howard Nelson at February 25, 2017 6:17 PM
Interesting modern fasts:
Cochineal is used as a food coloring in a lot of products, including Starbucks stuff. When eco-religion extremists find out and protest, the companies switch to government-blessed coal-tar based dyes like FD&C Red 40.
Posted by: hoodathunkit at February 26, 2017 6:47 AM