Cochineal Extract – 50% (Carminic Acid)

Cochineal Extract – 50% (Carminic Acid)Top Grade Natural Red Dye CI Natural Red 4 E120 Our 50% cochineal extract is a concentrated natural dye made from the dried insects of Dactylopius coccus Costa, cultivated on nopal (prickly pear cactus) farms in Peru. Peru is today the worlds leading producer of cochineal. An estimated 50,000 farmers harvest the insects by hand, drying them in the sun before further processing into dye extracts. This extract contains ~50% carminic acid, the active dye

Top-Grade Natural Red Dye – CI Natural Red 4 / E120

Our 50% cochineal extract is a concentrated natural dye made from the dried insects of Dactylopius coccus Costa, cultivated on nopal (prickly pear cactus) farms in Peru.

Peru is today the world’s leading producer of cochineal. An estimated 50,000 farmers harvest the insects by hand, drying them in the sun before further processing into dye extracts.

This extract contains ~50% carminic acid, the active dye molecule responsible for cochineal’s extraordinary reds.

Cochineal has been prized since pre-Columbian times in Central and South America, later becoming one of the most valuable dye commodities in the global textile trade.

Today it remains the only natural red colorant approved by the FDA and is widely used in:

• Textile dyeing
• Food coloring
• Cosmetics

Active dye components

Carminic Acid
CI Natural Red 4
E120 (food & cosmetics)

Dye Results

Cochineal produces a stunning range of pinks, reds, crimson and purple tones, depending on mordant and pH.

Alum mordant brilliant pinks to clear reds

Tin mordant bright scarlet to crimson

Cream of tartar warmer crimson tones

Iron purples and muted violets

Overdye with indigo deep plum and burgundy shades

pH sensitive
Acidic baths push reds
Alkaline baths shift toward purple

Why Extract?

Cochineal extract offers several advantages over raw insects:

• High concentration (50%)
• Consistent results
• Faster dissolution in dye baths
• Lower dosage required

A little goes a long way.

Perfect for Dye Sets

Cochineal forms part of the classical natural dye palette, pairing beautifully with:

• Madder
• Weld
• Indigo
• Logwood

Together these dyes create an extraordinary range of historic reds, purples, oranges and browns.