Tlapanochestli Cochineal Farm

This is a unique farm that is involved in the study, production, research, teaching, experimenting & all involved with the “Grana Cochinilla”.

The “Grana” is a little bug that feeds on a couple of varieties of the prickly pear cacti and reproduces as a dye the carmine acid from the plant. This dye is carmine red and has been used since approximately 1,700 years ago as a preferred color for textiles, feathers, paper, and colonial murals. Today this same dye is being used again for food coloring and cosmetics.

Spaniards quickly built an entire industry out of it and made wealth from it as it became solidly the third source of revenues in the New World, only surpassed by Gold and Silver.

Visiting is a great experience as you can see the entire living process of these bugs, the cacti used, the dye obtained and learn about this special and unique industry of the Americas.

Entrance Fee $10 pesos
Open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.