Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Cochineal


The prickly pear cacti hereabouts have wooly white deposits with dark bugs, about 1/8 inch in diameter. Yesterday as I pulled one out from its fuzzy nest, it began exuding a dark raspberry red liquid.

The bugs, when dried, have been used for centuries to make cochineal dye.

I would like to try this on my silks.

No comments:

Post a Comment