Algarobilla

Description

A mesquite-type shrub, Caesalpinia brevifolia, with bean-like pods that is native to Chile. Dried algarobilla pods contain 45-50% water-soluble tannins of the pyrogallol class. When used prior to fermentation, the tannins produce a firm, light-color tan leather. The solution changes to an orange color upon fermentation which results in a brightly colored leather. It is similar to divi-divi, tara, and cascalote.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Caesalpinia brevifolia; algaroba; algarroba; Natural Brown 4

Authority

• Helmut Schweppe, Schweppe color collection index and information book Comment: Natural Brown 4

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 272

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Gordon Hanlon, contributed information, 1998

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998