# Cochineal — WHE Definition Discussion
**URL:** https://community.worldhistory.org/t/cochineal-whe-definition-discussion/1182
**Category:** WHE Articles
**Created:** [August 25, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/cochineal-whe-definition-discussion/1182 "2022-08-25T16:00:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@markzcartwright](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/markzcartwright)
#### Post date: [August 25, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/cochineal-whe-definition-discussion/1182/1 "2022-08-25T16:00:08Z")
Cochineal is a brilliant red dye extracted from the crushed bodies of parasitic insects which prey on cacti in the warmer parts of the Americas. The dye was an important part of trade in ancient Mesoamerica and South America and throughout the colonial era when its use spread worldwide. Even today, cochineal continues to be used in foodstuffs and cosmetics.
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_This is a companion discussion topic for the original content at [https://www.worldhistory.org/Cochineal/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cochineal/)._
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### Author:  [@markzcartwright](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/markzcartwright)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/cochineal-whe-definition-discussion/1182/2 "2026-07-28T18:38:59Z")