karmin

Karmin is a term with multiple uses, most commonly referring to a pigment and to an American pop musical duo. In the context of color and dyes, karmin is a variant spelling of carmine, a red pigment and dye derived from the cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus). Carmine has been used for centuries in textiles, cosmetics, and food coloring. Commercial carmine is produced by processing cochineal insects to extract carminic acid, which is then converted into the red pigment. In many regulatory regimes it is labeled as E120 or simply as carmine when used as a food colorant or cosmetic ingredient. The color ranges from bright scarlet to deep crimson and is valued for its tinting strength and lightfastness, though it can degrade in alkaline conditions and may cause allergic reactions in a minority of people. Some consumers avoid carmine for ethical or dietary reasons, particularly those avoiding insect-derived products.

In music, Karmin refers to an American pop duo formed in the early 2010s by Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan. The duo gained prominence through viral videos on YouTube and subsequently signed with a major label. They released the album Pulses in 2014, which featured several commercially successful tracks and helped establish their mainstream profile. By the end of the decade, the group ceased performing under the Karmin name as the members pursued solo projects and different musical directions. Amy Heidemann later released music under the stage name Qveen Herby.