Tag: Insect dye

An estimated 70,000 cochineal insects are required to produce just one pound of red dye. This vibrant, long-lasting red dye, known as carmine, comes from a surprising source: the crushed bodies of female scale insects.

An estimated 70,000 cochineal insects are needed to produce just one pound of the concentrated red dye, known as E120. This food additive, also called carmine, has been used for centuries, with its origins tracing back to ancient civilizations in the Americas.