{"product_id":"cochineal-30g-1-1oz","title":"Cochineal 30g (1.1oz)","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eCochineal\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e– is the most important of the insect dyes. The females\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecolonize the prickly pear cactus native to Mexico, Central and South America and the Canary Islands. Peru is currently the primary export country, shipping out over 4000 metric tons annually. This dye is found mostly in food, drugs and cosmetics. Cochineal has excellent light and washfastness and produces a powerful range of fuchsias, reds and purples. The colour changes with the mordants used and pH of the dyebath. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAlthough expensive, it is very concentrated. The bugs have a high dye content (carminic acid) and go a long way. You will need only 3-8% WOF for a medium depth of shade. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDyeing:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eThe colourant is first extracted from the dried insects. Gently grind the insects in a blender or use a mortar and pestle to crush them to a fine powder. Put this powder into a saucepan and cover with three inches of water. Boil for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and set aside. Place the cochineal pulp back in the saucepan and again cover with water and boil for 30 minutes. Add this decanting to the first decanting. Repeat 2 more times. Some dyers will then keep the remaining pulp in a jar of water for several weeks and use in subsequent dyebaths. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe combined decantings are used to make a dyebath. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eCochineal is sensitive to acids and bases. The cochineal rich red can be shifted to orange with the addition of an acid (vinegar) and to a deep fuchsia with the addition of an alkaline (soda ash). This sensitivity means the soaps used to pre or post wash your fibres must have a neutral pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eFind more information on this dye and others we carry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/naturaldyes.ca\/instructions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ehere.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"maiwa fabrics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45384307245238,"sku":null,"price":68.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/3211\/1286\/files\/indigocake-7.webp?v=1787746152","url":"https:\/\/nscadartsupply.ca\/products\/cochineal-30g-1-1oz","provider":"NSCAD Art Supply Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}