In the first step, small roots of immature plants are boiled in alcohol to obtain morindin, a yellowish substance which can also be used in dyeing.

Further heating brings about hydrolysis of two glucose monomers through sublimation, leaving intensely red crystals.

Moridin content in the roots peaks in two to three years and drops off considerably after that; some attempts have been made to speed up production using tissue cultures.

Aluminum mordants give a red color, while iron and chromium produce duskier shades.

The traditional mordant used in Java, jirak bark (Symplocos fasciculata), is rich in aluminum salts.