Articles
The unique natural dye in the world certified with a Protected Designation of Origin
Article number
1361_24
Pages
203 – 210
Language
English
Abstract
Cochineal production was introduced to the Canary Islands in 1825. Though the climate and growing conditions were ideal, Canarian farmers were reluctant to grow this crop (de Uriarte, 2006). The Canary Islands then experienced a golden age and all social strata benefitted from the cochineal production.
The working tools were normally rudimentary, Canarian women mainly took care of the gathering and cleaning of the product, while the men employed themselves in watching out for the plantations and the handcrafted techniques for drying the cochineal.
The quality of the cochineal produced was such that the Canaries soon achieved the leadership in exportations.
Canarian cochineal was sent to the Spanish peninsula and abroad, mainly to England and France, through Marseille.
In lesser amounts, some shipments were also sent to Morocco, Algeria, Holland, Gibraltar and the US. With the coming of aniline dyes the price of Canarian cochineal decreased, the less-expensive aniline dyes displaced cochineal.
The working tools were normally rudimentary, Canarian women mainly took care of the gathering and cleaning of the product, while the men employed themselves in watching out for the plantations and the handcrafted techniques for drying the cochineal.
The quality of the cochineal produced was such that the Canaries soon achieved the leadership in exportations.
Canarian cochineal was sent to the Spanish peninsula and abroad, mainly to England and France, through Marseille.
In lesser amounts, some shipments were also sent to Morocco, Algeria, Holland, Gibraltar and the US. With the coming of aniline dyes the price of Canarian cochineal decreased, the less-expensive aniline dyes displaced cochineal.
Authors
L.O. Pérez
Keywords
cochineal, crop, Protected Designation of Origin, traceability, Canary Islands, natural dye, quality
Groups involved
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