The individuals measure a maximum of 5 mm so that about 130,000 are required for a kilogram. They can be harvested several times a year. Cochineal dyes wool on an alum mordant dark red and on a ferric mordant violet. Dyeing on silk with alum and tin mordants gives a very brilliant colour and varies in tone from violet to blue-red to light red.
Historical Data
Cochineal is one of the most important natural dyes used to produce fast reds. This dye was discovered by Mexican dyers in about 1000 BC. Its native country is Mexico . Eventually the cultivation of Mexican cochineal spread to other countries with suitable climates and it came to play a very important part in various kind of dyeing.
