Did you know - Red food coloring is made from crushed bugs?

mokluc (66)in #til • 8 years ago (edited)

I can already imagine @food-trail and @gringalicious going like, don't spoil my recipe please!!!

While you enjoying your "StarBugs" with that red lipstick...did you know that the red food coloring is made out of a bug called Cochineal even that red lipstick you have on.

Cochineal: its an insect which natural dye called Caramine is extracted from.

How the red coloring is made

This bug is found on a plant called cacti or Cactus collected and dried. Its body is made out of carminic acid which mixed with calcium/aluminium salts to end up with the coloring dye.

Some of the common items we use/consume daily with this crushed bug

Image credit1,2,3,4

Anyway Ladies...NO more kissing for me!!!

#animals #nature #food #food-trail

8 years ago in #til by mokluc (66)

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jznsamuel (71) 8 years ago

Haha as if someone would give up kissing just for bugs, in some countries they're a delicacy :) thanks for sharing, interesting and weird news of the day for me.

mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Yes @jznsamuel you right...in South Africa we have Mopane worms and i have tried them...they delicious

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jznsamuel (71) 8 years ago

Haha, thanks will have to try it one day :)

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jhermanbeans (59) 8 years ago

Having a crawfish boil this weekend, and thanks... this is all I'l be thinking about.

...and talking about. Now I have SUPER INTERESTING banter! haha

mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Thanks stay away from red food lol...Thanks glad you liked it

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beachgirl (46) 8 years ago

I have made dye clothes with this bug before. At university entomology class it was a science experiment :)

mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Glad to know...now that's so cool. Thanks for sharing

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kedjom-keku (58) 8 years ago

Do they actually grow them in farms? Do you know about anyone?

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mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Well according to the info i got:

native to tropical and subtropical South America as well as Mexico and Arizona

So they live on Cactus plants...maybe there might someone who saw a business opportunity and started farming its possible.

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odigetti (52) 8 years ago

Wow thank you for sharing !

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mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Thanks glad you liked it

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odigetti (52) 8 years ago

You re welcome my friend

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jiahn (63) 8 years ago

I have followed u ^^
Thank u!

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mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Thanks...followed back

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themevlog (53) 8 years ago

that's interesting to know...but you just took the fun away from my life :*(

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mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Sorry lol

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themevlog (53) 8 years ago

it's fine lol....that's life

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mam (55) 8 years ago

interesting...upvote and follow!

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mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Thank you very much

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mirzacho (60) 8 years ago

Is that really serious ??
This is beyond my mind, thanks for the information

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mokluc (66) 8 years ago

Nah i guess its not an issue...so far we not getting sick from consuming them

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dodders007 (55) 8 years ago

the bugs were also taken to Australia way back when, bred and used to dye soldiers uniforms I believe!

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