Carmine Dye Ingredients
Regarding the composition of cochineal dye
cochineal dye, its raw materials are quite elegant. The composition of this dye is mostly derived from insects. There is a kind of cochineal insect, which is small in size, but is the key to cochineal dye.
In the past, people found such cochineal insect in a specific area. Then, through many processes, the insect body is treated. Either by drying, so that the moisture is gradually lost; or by grinding, so that the insect body is reduced to fine. Then extract with suitable solvents, such as water, alcohol, etc. Through these processes, the color quality that can be used as a dye is extracted from the insect body.
And in the production process, or with other substances to adjust its color and solidify its quality. For example, some plant sap, or mineral powder, mixed with the color obtained from the insect body, makes the color of cochineal dye more rich and lasting.
From this perspective, although the cochineal dye composition is mainly cochineal, when making, many additions and treatments are used to obtain this colorful and versatile dye.
