Annatto Seeds
Annatto Seeds
Annatto Seed
Annatto Seed, sometimes called achiote seed, is used more for its color than for its flavor. The brick-orange seed of the achiote tree, annatto tastes delicately earthy, nutty, and mildly sweet, with a hint of pepper. It does not have a pronounced smell. Thanks to the profoundly red hue of the seeds, the achiote tree has been nicknamed “the lipstick tree” and does contribute its color to various cosmetic applications. The color comes from the interplay of bixin and norbixin, chemical compounds derived from the breakdown of carotenoids. These pigments are soluble in both oil and water, which is rare, and comprise up to 7% of the dry seed.
Americans are most familiar with Annatto Seed as the natural colorant used to produce orange cheddar cheese. Orange became the acceptable color for cheddar after dairy farmers discovered that when cows are fed fresh grass, the cheese from their milk had a vibrant yellow tone. This was due to the carotenes present in fresh grass; hay, while easier to store and use as feed, lacked the photosynthetic carotenes and produced creamy white cheeses. The public perceived the orange color to be more healthful and so, farmers dyed their cheese to perpetuate the ideal.
Tips From Our Kitchen
Soak Annatto Seed in oil to create a flavored cooking oil; this is a wonderful cooking medium for Caribbean and Mexican foods. Use it to fry the chicken in arroz con pollo, and add seeds to the water in order to give the rice its distinctive golden hue. Use the oil as a base for curry. Add Annatto Seed to a soaking liquid for a marinade, and marinate chicken or fish, and even tofu. Add judiciously; even though the flavor is mild, too much annatto can impart overwhelming earthiness that may overwhelm a dish. Annatto Seeds are extremely hard and almost impossible to grind at home. Should you want it in powdered form, we recommend that you buy Ground Annatto separately.
Our Annatto Seed is grown in India.
This product is certified kosher.
Hungry for more information?
What is a Sofrito?
Most Popular Spices by Cuisine
Flavor Characteristics of Spices
What The Heck Do I Do With Annatto?
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size1 tsp
Amount Per Serving
Calories12
% Daily Value*
Total Fat0g0%
Saturated Fat0g0%
Trans Fat0g
Polyunsaturated Fat0g
Monounsaturated Fat0g
Cholesterol0mg0%
Sodium0.2mg0%
Total Carbohydrate2.5g1%
Dietary Fiber1.2g5%
Total Sugars0.0g
Added Sugars0g0%
Sugar Alcohol0.0g
Protein0.5g1%
Vitamin D0mcg0%
Calcium0mg0%
Iron0mg1%
Potassium64mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. These values were calculated and therefore are approximate. For more accuracy, testing is advised.
