Chinese: 胭脂蟲

English: Cochineal

Scientific Name:  Dactylopius coccus

Part: Whole

Category: Plant

 

Cochineal is a red dye that is obtained from the dried bodies of female cochineal insects, also known as Dactylopius coccus. These insects are native to Mexico and Central America, but are now also found in other parts of the world, including Peru, the Canary Islands, and India.

 

To produce cochineal dye, the insects are harvested from cactus plants and dried in the sun. The dried insects are then crushed to create a fine powder, which is used to dye fabrics, cosmetics, and food products. Cochineal dye is valued for its intense red color, which is long-lasting and resistant to fading.

 

Cochineal has a long history of use as a dye, dating back to pre-Columbian times in Mexico. It was highly valued by the Aztecs and other indigenous peoples, and was later introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers. In the 19th century, cochineal became an important export for Mexico and other countries in the region, and was used to dye fabrics and other products all over the world.

 

Today, cochineal is still used as a natural colorant in a variety of products, including textiles, cosmetics, and food. However, some people may be allergic to cochineal, and it has also been the subject of controversy due to concerns about its use in food and drinks. In some countries, laws require that products containing cochineal be labeled as such, due to its potential to cause allergic reactions.

 

胭脂蟲又名洋紅蟲，其雌蟲體內含胭脂紅酸，可以用來製造緋紅色染料(胭脂紅)。 這些昆蟲原產於墨西哥和中美洲，但現在世界其他地區也有發現，包括秘魯、加那利群島和印度。

 

為生產胭脂紅染料，人們在仙人掌中採收胭脂蟲並在陽光下曬乾。人們把乾燥的昆蟲壓碎製成細粉，用於為織物、化妝品和食品染色。胭脂紅染料因其強烈的紅色而受到重視，這種顏色持久且不易褪色。

 

胭脂蟲紅作為染料的使用歷史悠久，可追溯到墨西哥的前哥倫布時代。 它受阿茲特克人和其他土著人民的重視，後來由西班牙探險家引入歐洲。在19世紀，胭脂蟲紅成為墨西哥和該地區其他國家的重要出口產品，並在世界各地用於染色織物和其他產品。

 

時至今日，胭脂蟲紅仍用作各種產品的天然著色劑，包括紡織品、化妝品和食品。然而，有些人可能對胭脂蟲過敏，亦有人擔心其在食品和飲料中的使用，因而引起爭議。 在某些國家或地區，法律要求含有胭脂蟲的產品貼上標籤，因為它可能引起過敏反應。