Litmus paper turns red when placed in an acid solution, but blue is the solution is alkaline. This absorbent paper is the oldest and most commonly used indicator of the presence or absence of acid. Its special qualities are due to the fact that it has been soaked and impregnated with a mixture of dyes called litmus.
The litmus mixture was originally produced by the action of air, ammonia and an alkali carbonate on certain lichens found in the Netherlands. It is now made from azolitmin and erythrolitmin.
A litmus solution is sometimes used. But the message is the same. A few drops added to a liquid turn it red if it is acid and blue if it is alkaline.
Picture credit: google