carmine

  • Science

    Cochineal Taxonomy Fail

    Alas, Starbucks has backpedaled and decided to remove cochineal from all its food and drink products. This is a shame, since as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, cochineal is an insect-derived dye that provides an important source of cash for a lot of rural Central and South American people. There is also evidence the culture and sale of cochineal leads…

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  • Science

    Waiter, There’s a Bug in my Frappuccino

    This headline…may be a bit of an overstatement:  "Soy Strawberry Frappuccinos are the latest threat to the vegan community."  Vegans are feeling threatened(?) by the revelation that Starbucks Soy Frappuccinos contain insect juice. Specifically, cochineal insect extract used as a reddish food coloring. Is there really "bug juice" in your Strawberry Frappuccino? Yes!  The Seattle Times has some good reporting on…

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