Cochineal

What’s the origin of this colour?

Cochineal red copper colour

Italian word “coccinella” (English “ladybug” 🐞) and cochineal color have actually Chinese roots meaning “foreign dyestuff” or “foreign red”…. This very vibrant crimson red is produced by real bugs - cocci - and was already known in Aztec and Inca empires. Since then It has conquered the world in fashion , food, cosmetic industry as a natural, very reach dye. Immagine Roman Cardinals’ clothes or red velvet cake ! Cochineal color (o better say the insect) has really helped to shape history.