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Meet the Bug You Didn't Know You Were Eating
🕑 Added 2024-05-03 17:55:00 +0000 UTCThe cochineal is a tiny insect deeply rooted in the history of Oaxaca, Mexico. Female cochineals spend most of their lives with their heads buried in juicy cactus pads, eating and growing. After cochineals die, their legacy lives on in the brilliant red hue produced by their hemolymph. Dyes made from cochineal have been used in textiles, paintings, and even in your food!
We hope you enjoy this first look at our new episode! You can start sharing it with other science fans on Tuesday, May 7 from YouTube. Thanks!
Comments
Deep Look
The main exporter of cochineal is Peru!
Cho Minsung
Where else do they get farmed other than Mexico? Seems like only a small batch can be produced for a worldwide use case.
