Natural Red and Pink Dyes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Avocado pits

Clean off any flesh of avocado that remains on the outside of the pit. Then, place your pits in a pot of water. The more pits, the darker the colour. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for a few hours until the water turns the colour that you wish. Place your fabric or yarn in the dye, and leave it for a few hours until you have the colour that you want.

Answer: Tartans

Corkir is a traditional red dye made from lichens that grow in the Scottish Highlands. All kinds of lichens were harvested to dye the threads that were used in creating traditional tartans, including those used to produce orange, brown and yellow dyes in addition to the red dye discussed here. Lichens continue to be a popular source for dye around the world.

Answer: True

Linens in Tutankhamun's tomb were dyed using madder, otherwise known as rose madder. This is a plant dye that is created from the Rubia tinctorum plant. Evidence of dyes made from this plant can be found throughout Central Asia and South Asia from as far back as 1500 BC.

Answer: Munjeet

Munjeet grows in the Himalayas and is used to create a red dye by those who work with fabrics and yarns in Nepal. Munjeet is also called "Indian madder" and is still an important dye for the Asian fabric industry.

Answer: Fermented prickly pears

Fibers are dyed using the fermented fruit. The deep pink fruit works best to create a lovely pink dye. The Navajo also make a reddish dye using reddish soil and water.

Answer: Tree sap

These insects live on the sap of the Kermes oak that is abundant around the Mediterranean. The dried bodies of the females were used to create this dye that was a very rich red. It was highly sought-after by dye for silk and wool until the Spanish Conquest when other more convenient ways to make red dye were discovered.

Answer: Mint and lemon juice

Mint and lemon juice need to be added in order to activate the alkaloids that create a dye. The mixture can also be consumed as a refreshing iced drink. Birch bark makes brown dye. Chamomile makes yellow dye. Black walnuts will make a black, or dark grey dye.

Answer: Roots

This plant is native to the Mediterranean area. It has a bright blue flower, with dark red roots. The dye that is extracted from this plant is soluble in alcohol, and oil, but not in water. This dye is not commonly used on fabric. Rather, it is typically used to colour food (e.g., wine, vegetable oil) and varnish.

Answer: Insects

Cochineal was used by Aztec and Maya peoples of Central and North America. It is made from a scaly insect that lives on cacti in Central and North America. At one time, Cochineal was Mexico's second-most valuable export next to silver. Cochineal is now created all over the world from insects that are actually farmed for the purpose.

Answer: True

When all parts of the dandelion are steeped in boiling water, a lovely magenta dye is created. Dandelions must be fresh, and boiled for a few hours before the dye is created.