Cochineal

Cochineal is an insect (dactylopius cocus coast) that feeds or live on the leaves of the prickly pear (Opuntia picus cactil), this is produced in the southern coast of Peru, in the regions of Arequipa and Tacna. Red natural dye extracted from cochineal, contains two substances: carmine and carminic acid, which is widely used as a colorant. The use of cochineal comes from the pre-Inca times where it was used to dye alpaca and cotton looms. And it is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industry especially for the manufacture of sausages and meats, as well as jams and others.