Kermes (dye)

Kermes dye is a special kind of dye that comes from tiny little bugs called kermes insects. These insects live on a specific kind of tree called the kermes oak tree. The dye that comes from these bugs has been used by people for a very long time to color things like fabric and even food.

So here's how it works: When the kermes bugs are still alive, they attach themselves to the kermes oak tree and feed on its sap. This sap contains a special chemical called carminic acid, which is what gives the bugs their bright red color.

When people want to make kermes dye, they collect these bugs from the trees. They then crush the bugs to extract the carminic acid from their bodies. This acid is like a magic ingredient that can color things. It's so strong that even a tiny amount can create a very vibrant and deep red color.

People mix the carminic acid with water or alcohol to create the dye. They can then use this dye to color fabrics, like clothing or carpets, or even food and drinks. It's really amazing how such a small bug can create such a powerful dye!

Kermes dye has been used by different cultures throughout history. In ancient times, it was one of the most valuable dyes because it was so hard to find and collect the bugs. The color it created was also very special and unique. Nowadays, we have other ways to create red dyes, so kermes dye is not as commonly used. However, it is still sometimes used in special traditional crafts or in certain food and cosmetic products.

So next time you see something that's a beautiful deep red color, remember that it might have been created using kermes bugs and their amazing carminic acid dye!