What is Cochineal Dye

Cochineal is one of the oldest and most enduring natural dyes in the world. It produces a rich, warm red through to deep purple depending on how it is prepared — and it is what gives my dyed drums their distinctive colour.

Where it comes from

Cochineal dye is derived from the dried bodies of the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus), a small scale insect that lives on prickly pear cacti native to Central and South America. The insects are harvested, dried and processed to extract carminic acid — the compound responsible for the colour.

It is worth noting that cochineal is distinct from the processed cochineal extract used in food colouring. I work with whole dried beetles rather than a refined extract, which is the traditional form of the dye.

A long history

Cochineal has been used as a dye for centuries — evidence of its use dates back to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and it became one of the most valuable trade commodities in the world following Spanish colonisation of the Americas in the 16th century. It was used to dye textiles, paints and cosmetics across Europe and remains in use today.

How the colour varies

The colour cochineal produces is not fixed. On hide, it shifts depending on the specific hide, the concentration of dye, and how long the hide is in contact with the dye bath. This is why no two cochineal-dyed drums from my studio are identical — each hide takes the dye differently, producing its own depth, variation and character.

Why I use it

I choose cochineal because it is a natural dye with deep historical roots, produces a colour that is genuinely beautiful on hide, and aligns with my commitment to working with natural materials. There are no synthetic dyes used in my studio.