A Perfect Red
If you’re looking for love in all the wrong places this Valentine’s Day, you probably haven’t encountered the perfect red. Not scarlet, burgundy, carnelian, crimson, Falu red, persimmon, sangria, magenta, maroon, Venetian red, vermillion, merlot, mahogany, currant, cherry, garnet, wine, rose, blood, blush, brick, candy, jam, ruby, apple or berry. No, a perfect red the Spanish explorers happened upon in the Aztec marketplaces of 16th century Mexico. For those who knew the secret, the perfect red became a source of power in an age when textiles equated to great wealth. Spain made a fortune selling the rare and precious dye around the globe. In 1587, the conquistadores shipped 65 tons of it home. In a quest to break Spain’s monopoly and acquire the guarded red dyestuff, men turned to espionage and piracy, plundering ships and risking death. All for a fragile little bug that lives on prickly pear cactus. Read More »