---
product_id: 276460054
title: "Cochineal Natural Dye, 1 oz."
brand: "shepherd textiles"
price: "R589"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Shepherd Textiles"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/276460054-cochineal-natural-dye-1-oz
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Farm-direct high desert origin 24% carminic acid purity 1 oz dyes 1 lb fabric Cochineal Natural Dye, 1 oz.

**Brand:** shepherd textiles
**Price:** R589
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🔥 Elevate your craft with nature’s most brilliant red!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Cochineal Natural Dye, 1 oz. by shepherd textiles
- **How much does it cost?** R589 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/276460054-cochineal-natural-dye-1-oz)

## Best For

- shepherd textiles enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted shepherd textiles brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Efficient Dyeing Power:** Just 1 oz transforms a full pound of yarn into deep, lasting reds—maximize your creative output.
- • **Vibrant, True Reds & Pinks:** Unlock a spectrum from scarlet to magenta with natural precision.
- • **Eco-Friendly & Pesticide-Free:** Sustainably harvested from prickly-pear cactuses in pristine high desert conditions.
- • **Versatile Fiber Compatibility:** Perfect for wool, cotton, alpaca, silk, and more—expand your artisanal horizons.
- • **Ultra-Concentrated Peruvian Source:** Top-grade cochineal with 24% carminic acid for unmatched color intensity.

## Overview

Shepherd Textiles’ 1 oz Peruvian Cochineal is a premium natural dye boasting 24% carminic acid, sourced pesticide-free from high desert farms. It delivers vivid, colorfast reds, pinks, and purples on natural fibers, with just one ounce dyeing up to a pound of fabric. Ideal for eco-conscious artisans seeking intense, authentic hues.

## Description

Product description Shepherd Textiles Peruvian Cochineal All-Natural Cochineal Cochineal is the most brilliant and color-fast of the natural red dyes. Shepherd Textiles Natural Cochineal Dye is a top-grade Peruvian cochineal chosen for its high carminic acid content (24% by weight, vs. 17% in standard grades of cochineal). It produces vivid reds, purples, and pinks on all natural fibers, including wool, cotton, alpaca, and silk. Farm Direct We source our cochineal direct from a farm in the high desert outside of Arequipa. The cochineal are grown and harvested from prickly-pear cactuses without the use of any pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Because of the regular alternation between hot days and cold nights, cochineal grown in the high desert naturally produce more carminic acid. Intense Reds, Pinks, and Purples Cochineal produces a stunning range of colors, ranging from soft magentas and pinks to intense crimson and scarlet. Different mordants and modifiers will shift the color of the dyebath. Alum mordant will yield a deep reddish purple. Adding cream of tartar to the dyebath will shift it toward cherry red. True crimson, the brightest and most vivid red achievable with natural dyes, can be produced with a tin mordant and cream of tartar. One Ounce Dyes a Pound A little goes a long way! Just 5% weight-of-fabric (WOF) is enough to achieve deep, intense colors. Every ounce of Shepherd Textiles Cochineal will dye a pound of fabric to deep red or purple. For softer colors, an ounce will dye two or three pounds of fiber to pink or magenta. Available in Three Sizes Our all-natural Peruvian cochineal is sold in three sizes. A one-ounce jar is perfect for small projects, while the one-pound jar is great for fiber artists, schools, and textile studios. The more you buy, the more you save. Basic Dyeing Instructions Grind into Powder Grind the whole cochineal into powder. The easiest way is to use a mortar and pestle that is only for dyestuffs, and not for food. Another is to put it in a heavy-duty zip plastic bag and gently crush it with a rolling pin. It doesn't have to be ground all the way to dust; when it is about as fine as beach sand, it is ready for dyeing. For the remaining steps, wear gloves, old clothes, and only use utensils designated for dyeing. Once the cochineal gets wet, anything it touches that is not made of metal or glass may end up permanently dyed red. Simmer to Make a Dyebath Put the ground cochineal in your dye pot and pour a few liters of boiling water over it*. Add cream of tartar now, if using. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours at about 180F. If the water starts to boil over, turn down the heat. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to cool to room temperature. Let sit overnight if time permits. Strain cooled solution through a coffee filter and discard ground cochineal. Don't leave any grains of cochineal in the dyebath, or they will stick in your fabric. *You can also put the ground cochineal into tea bags: this is our preferred method. Tie them off, and simmer as above. This will save you the step of having to filter the dye bath. Remove tea bags when adding fiber. Add Fiber and Gently Heat Add your pre-soaked, pre-mordanted fabric to the dyebath*. Both fabric and dyebath should be room temperature. Slowly raise the temperature to about 180F. Cover and simmer 60 to 90 minutes, keeping an eye on the temperature. Stir occasionally to make sure the fiber is dyeing evenly. Be careful not to agitate wool too much, otherwise it may felt. *Mordants will make your color more light-fast, and will make it possible to achieve a greater variety of shades. However, if you prefer to go 100% natural, they are not necessary. The skein above is merino wool dyed without any mordants or modifiers. Steep Overnight, Rinse, and Dry After the fiber has simmered for 1.5 to 2 hours, remove the dye pot from heat. Keep covered, and leave the fibers in the dye pot to steep overnight. The next day, remove the fiber. Gently squeeze out liquid. Rinse in lukewarm water a few times, squeezing water out until it runs clear: a few drops of PH-neutral dish soap may help. Hang up to dry.

Review: This is the Real Stuff! - What a beautiful dye - gorgeous color, highly concentrated - classic true cochineal!
Review: Beautiful color - Clean, quality cochineal. Made a beautiful dye for my daughter’s “natural dyes” school project.

## Features

- One ounce of natural, top-grade Peruvian cochineal.
- Produces a stunning range of fuchsias, scarlets, and crimsons.
- One ounce will dye a pound of yarn to a deep, intense red.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #58,486 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing ( See Top 100 in Arts, Crafts & Sewing ) #167 in Fabric Dyes |
| Brand | Shepherd Textiles |
| Color | Magenta,Red,Pink |
| Compatible Material | Acrylic, Leather, Plastic, Wood |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 85 Reviews |
| Item Form | Powder |
| Item Weight | 1 Ounces |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Fluid Ounces |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Shepherd Textiles
- **Color:** Magenta,Red,Pink
- **Compatible Material:** Acrylic, Leather, Plastic, Wood
- **Item Form:** Powder
- **Item Weight:** 1 Ounces

## Images

![Cochineal Natural Dye, 1 oz. - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81iNi7HAKQL.jpg)
![Cochineal Natural Dye, 1 oz. - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81EHytch9ML.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is the Real Stuff!
*by A***R on November 8, 2025*

What a beautiful dye - gorgeous color, highly concentrated - classic true cochineal!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful color
*by S***M on December 27, 2024*

Clean, quality cochineal. Made a beautiful dye for my daughter’s “natural dyes” school project.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gives great color
*by A***1 on February 22, 2024*

I used this for a BSA scout badge to show the scouts how to color fabric. They loved the idea of it being made of real bugs and it served its purpose, it dyed the fabric.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Shepherd Textiles Cochineal Natural Dye, 1 oz.
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- Shepherd Textiles Cochineal Extract Natural Dye, 1 oz.

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-02-24*