Natural pigments have been used preferentially in food and cosmetic production. Recent interest in Yunnan on the potential use of the rose red pigment(s) (RRP) of Rosa hybridum (hybrid tea) cv. Crimson Glory (parentage: Catherine Kordes x W.E. Chaplin) which flourishes in plantations as the 'Yunnan Highland Rose' (YHR), prompted this study into the development of efficient methods for the extraction and encapsulation of the pigments for wider commercial application. Based on production cost and potential practical application, the best extraction (81.6%) was achieved employing an optimal microwave extraction process. Separation under AB-8 macro porous resin has resulted in a 4.5 fold increase in colour value units. Microencapsulation in the bee's-wax: Stearic acid (1:1) mix provided the stability of the pigments under different pH, light and heat and further confirmed that the stability of the product was significantly enhanced. This is the first report of effective microencapsulation of RRP from the YHR, facilitating commercial applications for these pigments. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.