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Is Cudbear vegan?

Cudbear

Vegan

Cudbear is a natural dye extracted from several species of lichen, commonly known as orchella weeds, with Roccella tinctoria being a major source. The active colouring component is orcein, which is produced by reacting orcinol extracted from the lichen with ammonia and air. It produces red colours in acidic conditions and blue in alkaline conditions.

Also known as Archil, Lacmus, Natural Red 28, Orcein, Orchil
CAS number 1400-62-0
EC number 215-751-0
CI number CI 758600
Last reviewed 3 June 2026

Sources

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