#1
Today
Not that I recall ever having had it, but it sounds unappetizing nevertheless.
Starbucks to stop using 'crushed bug' dye
Quote:
Starbucks Corp. says it will stop using a red dye in its drinks that is derived from crushed bugs.
<snip>
Cochineal dye is widely used in foods and cosmetics products such as lipstick, yogurt and shampoo. Starbucks had used the coloring in its strawberry flavored mixed drinks and foods like the raspberry swirl cake and red velvet whoopie pie.
The company says the items will be reformulated by the end of June.
Starbucks Corp. says it will stop using a red dye in its drinks that is derived from crushed bugs.
<snip>
Cochineal dye is widely used in foods and cosmetics products such as lipstick, yogurt and shampoo. Starbucks had used the coloring in its strawberry flavored mixed drinks and foods like the raspberry swirl cake and red velvet whoopie pie.
The company says the items will be reformulated by the end of June.
#2
Quote:
Strawberries Bugs & Crème Frappuccino?
Not that I recall ever having had it, but it sounds unappetizing nevertheless.
You've likely consumed dozens of products using cochineal, crushed beetle powder for want of a better description, during your life. I's pretty common, a little bit goes a long way and it's been price competitive with "synthetic organics", compounds no less potentially toxic (and maybe a lot more toxic, since eating bugs is pretty safe in most cases while wasn't that old "Red Dye #2" that looked to be carcinogenic?).Originally Posted by TWA884
Not that I recall ever having had it, but it sounds unappetizing nevertheless.
From the tiny shellfish used to produce the Romans' "Imperial Purple" (not purple in modern eyes) through hundreds of other natural products used as dyes, that's all the we had until the 19th century (and the Germans, IIRC) brought us the magic marvels of modern organic chemistry, any color or flavor you might want from coal tars or crude oil.
#3
YVR Cockroach , Apr 22, 2012 9:20 am
FlyerTalk Evangelist
I had a recipe in some cook book I got nearly 20 years ago. Called for cochineal but I was never able to locate any. The name sounds similar to the french word for lady bug.
#6
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Even though I don't keep kosher, I generally look for the OU kosher logo Originally Posted by TMOliver
You've likely consumed dozens of products using cochineal, crushed beetle powder for want of a better description, during your life. I's pretty common, a little bit goes a long way and it's been price competitive with "synthetic organics", compounds no less potentially toxic (and maybe a lot more toxic, since eating bugs is pretty safe in most cases while wasn't that old "Red Dye #2" that looked to be carcinogenic?).
and other kashrut certification symbols on packaged goods. That way I can avoid consuming such unappetizing ingredients.I much prefer Starbucks substitute ingredient, lycopene, a natural, tomato-based extract (source). Why could they not use it originally?
#8
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It was more expensive at the timeOriginally Posted by TWA884
Why could they not use it originally?
At the time it was not deep red, but more of an orange red (they have worked on that)
It is more stable than lycopene which changes color when exposed to oxygen or light
The vegans can be happy now, no bugs in their drinks. The nightshade freaks are probably getting their petitions ready now.