Indigo, a magical dark blue dye from the tropical species of the genus Indigofera has been quite the rage for thousands of years. Made by soaking and fermenting the leaves of the plant, this natural blue hue is just as popular today as it was in the middle ages. One Mr. Burkhill wrote in 1935, "There is no dye in the world of wider consumption and none more permanent." The history of the prized indigo most likely began in India, before it was carried east to SE Asia and China. A highly coveted commodity in the middle ages (and today if Pinterest is any indicator!), the so-called Blue Gold was brought West after Vasca de Gama discovered a sea route to India in the 15th century. 
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