Cochineal

(Community Matters) Reading about “‘cochineal extract’ — a colorant made from the dried crushed bodies of the female Dactylopius coccus Costa”  while reading Starbucks To Be Bug-Free in June in Culture Map.

. . . native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico.  They produce carminic acid as a defense against predators.  In the 15th century, carmine dye was used in Central America for coloring fabrics and became an important export. It’s still used in handmade textiles in Oaxaca.

Friends know of my fondness for Cochineal