Interactive Color Lab

Adjust pH and iron sulfate to watch cochineal transform in real-time

SIMULATION
4.5
Current pH
Acidic
Lower pH = brighter crimson. Higher pH = deeper purple.
Pure Cochineal
Iron shifts color toward purple and darkens the shade.

Cochineal (Carminic Acid)

At pH 4.5 without iron, carminic acid molecules remain stable, producing the classic crimson-red color cochineal is famous for.