A staple throughout the Southwest, this desert fruit adds flavor and color to cocktails, salads, salsas, desserts, and more.

An curved arrow pointing right. Cochineals are tiny bugs that live on prickly pear cactuses. The acid in their guts makes a red dye used in textiles, cosmetics, and foods like M&Ms and Yoplait yogurt.

Depending on the variety, the colors may be bright shades of pink, red, orange, or yellow. One of the most popular is the eastern prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), known for its vibrant ...