COCHINEAL

An insect especially diffuse in Central and South America (in particular in Perù), as well as the Canary Islands, southern Spain and Algeria.

The female contains a red pigment, carminic acid, which is extracted by dryng out the insect’s body, pulverizing it and treating it with ammonia or a solution of sodium carbonate.

The solid part is eliminated by filtering and the remaining liquid is thus purified.

Use of cochineal, imported into Europe by the Spanish, was so widespread that from around 1650 until 1870 it was considered Mexico’s most valuable export item after gold and silver.

In Great Britain it was used to obtain the traditional scarlet color of military uniforms.