Quebracho Dye Powder | Schinopsis spp.
 
Warm Earthy Reds & Rich Tannin Tones from the Hardwoods of South America
Quebracho, from the Spanish quiebra hacha, meaning "axe breaker"  is one of the hardest and most tannin-rich woods on earth.
Sourced from the heartwood of Schinopsis trees native to the Gran Chaco region of South America, this fine reddish-brown powder has been used in natural dyeing and tanning for centuries. In the dye pot, it yields a beautiful palette of warm terracottas, soft russets, golden tans, and deep reddish-browns that feel unmistakably grounded in the earth. Rich in plant tannins, quebracho also serves as a versatile tannin mordant for cellulose fibres, making it a hardworking ingredient in any natural dyer's pantry.
Key Features
Colour palette: warm terracotta, russet, golden tan, reddish-brown, and soft caramel — depth and warmth on both protein and cellulose fibres
High tannin content (approx. 20–25% in heartwood extract) — functions both as a dye and as a tannin mordant for cotton, linen, and other plant fibres
Fine powder form — dissolves readily in warm water, no pre-soaking required
Good lightfastness and wash fastness when used with appropriate mordants
Suitable for wool, silk, cotton, linen, and other natural fibres
Vegan-friendly natural dye — plant-based from sustainably sourced heartwood
 
Dyeing & Mordanting Notes
As a dye:
Recommended usage rate: 10–30% WOF (weight of fibre) depending on depth of colour desired
Pre-mordant with alum for brighter, more golden warm tones on protein fibres; use tannin + alum sequence for cellulose fibres
Iron modifier shifts the palette toward deep khaki, slate-brown, and cooler grey-green tones - a small amount goes a long way
Dye at low to moderate heat (60–80°C) for 45–60 minutes; avoid boiling on delicate fibres
Exhaust bath produces lighter, more golden tones — don't discard your second or third dip!
As a tannin mordant for cellulose fibres:
Usage rate: 5–15% WOF as a tannin pre-treatment step before alum mordanting on cotton, linen, or hemp
Creates bonding sites on cellulose fibres so aluminium mordants can take hold  - essential for good colour uptake and fastness on plant-based fabrics
Will contribute a warm underlying tone to the final colour. Be sure to factor this in when planning your palette
 
Beyond the Dye Pot
Wood staining & ebonising: combined with an iron solution, quebracho creates striking dark stains on raw wood — a favourite in furniture making and woodcraft
Natural ink making: its high tannin content makes it an excellent base for botanical inks, combine with iron sulphate for a warm iron gall-style ink
Hide tanning: quebracho has a long history in the leather industry as a vegetable tanning agent, suitable for experimental small-scale hide work
Paper marbling & bookbinding: use as a tannin treatment for paper sizing
Store in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and moisture
 
All Alkemi Natural Dyes products are ethically sourced and supplied for use in natural dyeing, textile arts, and botanical craft. As with all natural materials, results will vary depending on fibre type, mordant, water quality, and technique -  part of the magic of working with plants.