Category: Cochineal
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The chemical nature of flavokermesic acid
JanWouters∗AndréVerhecken The chemical nature of flavokermesic acid. Tetrahedron Letters Volume 28, Issue 11, 1987, Pages 1199-1202 Received 24 November 1986, Available online 9 March 2001 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)95325-5 Abstract: Flavokermesic acid, a minor dye constituent isolated from Kermes insects, was identified as 1-methyl-3,6,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthracene dione-2-carboxylic acid (synonym for laccaic acid D or xanthokermesic acid). Flavokermesic acid is a minor…
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Carmine Controversy
Starbucks caught flack for using the ingredient in its strawberry-flavored drinks back in 2012, especially by vegans and those who didn’t eat animals for religious reasons. (treehugger.com) Another article suggests they planned to replace the bugs in several products with lycopene.
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Cochineal
The cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the natural dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America through North America (Mexico and the Southwest United States), this insect lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients. The insects are found on the pads of prickly pear cacti, collected by brushing them off…
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Polish Cochineal (Porphyrophora polonica)
Polish cochineal (Porphyrophora polonica), also known as Polish carmine scales, is a scale insect formerly used to produce a crimson dye of the same name, colloquially known as “Saint John’s blood”. The larvae of P. polonica are sessile parasites living on the roots of various herbs—especially those of the perennial knawel—growing on the sandy soils of Central Europe and other parts of Eurasia. Before the development of aniline, alizarin, and other synthetic dyes, the insect was…
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Armenian Cochineal (Porphyrophora hamelii)
The Armenian cochineal (Porphyrophora hamelii), also known as the Ararat cochineal or Ararat scale, is a scale insect indigenous to the Ararat plain and Aras (Araks) River valley in the Armenian Highlands and in Turkey. It was formerly used to produce an eponymous crimson carmine dyestuff known in Armenia as vordan karmir (Armenian: որդան կարմիր, literally “worm’s red“) and historically in Persia as kirmiz.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The species is critically endangered within Armenia.[7] The Armenian cochineal scale insect, Porphyrophora hamelii, is in a different taxonomic family from the cochineal found in the Americas.…
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Rosolio (from around the internets)
Rosolio is a type of Italian liqueur made from a base of alcohol, sugar, and water in the same proportion, which is flavored by adding an essence of any of various types. Despite a common misconception based on the name, rosolio has no direct connection with roses or rose petals. (Rose essence is, however, one option for addition to the base; other options…
