Why Tiny Cactus Bugs In Red Food Dye Are A $35 Billion Industry | Big Business | Insider Business

Cochineals are tiny bugs that live on prickly pear cactuses. The acid in their guts makes a red dye used in textiles, cosmetics, and foods like M&Ms and Yoplait yogurt. Indigenous people across Latin America traded it for thousands of years. It can be found on the walls of archeological sites, in priceless paintings, and in the robes of kings. But today, Peru dominates the market, and Mexico’s cochineal farms are disappearing. We met a few of the country’s last farmers trying to keep the ancient tradition alive. MORE BIG BUSINESS VIDEOS: 10 Car Jobs You Never Knew Existed | Big Business | Insider Business Big Business Marathon 2022 | Big Business | Insider Business Why It Costs $1 Million Per Day To Run One Of The World’s Biggest Cruise Ships | Big Business ------------------------------------------------------ #Cactus #BigBusiness #BusinessInsider Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: Insider Business on Facebook: Insider Business on Instagram: Insider Business on Twitter: Insider Business on Snapchat: Insider Business on TikTok: @businessinsider Why Tiny Cactus Bugs In Red Food Dye Are A $35 Billion Industry | Big Business | Insider Business