Annatto
Annatto is a natural orange-red food colouring and condiment made from the seeds or pulp of the achiote tree (*Bixa orellana*), a tropical American plant.
Annatto is a natural orange-red food colouring and condiment made from the seeds or pulp of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana). It is widely used to colour and sometimes flavour foods, and the term can also refer to the tree itself or its dried seed.
What it is
Annatto comes from the achiote tree, a tropical American plant. The colouring is extracted from the seeds or seed pulp, and its primary components are bixin and related carotenoids. It produces a range from yellow to deep orange-red.
Why it matters
Annatto is a common natural food colouring in Canada, especially in dairy products like cheese, butter, and margarine. It also appears in baked goods, snacks, and cereals. Beyond food, it has uses in textiles and cosmetics.
Key details
Annatto can add a mild sweet, earthy, or peppery taste to foods. It has a long history in Latin American, Caribbean, and Filipino cuisines as both a seasoning and colouring. The plant is also known as the lipstick tree.
In short
- Derived from achiote tree seeds or pulp
- Used as natural colouring in cheese, butter, and snacks
- Adds mild flavour alongside colour
- Has cultural roots in Indigenous and regional cuisines
Annatto is relevant to Canadian readers because it is a widely used natural food colour in processed foods sold in Canada, especially dairy products such as cheese, butter, and margarine.
Quick questions
What is annatto?
What foods commonly contain annatto?
Is annatto the same as achiote?
Sources
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annattoSupports: Definition of annatto as a dyestuff from *Bixa orellana* and as the dried seed used to color and flavor food.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AnnattoSupports: Overview of annatto as a food colouring from achiote seeds and its common food uses.
- Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/annattoSupports: Alternative meanings of annatto as the tree and the dye obtained from its seeds.
- WebMD — https://www.webmd.com/diet/annattoSupports: Annatto as a natural food coloring and spice from achiote seeds; common use in Latin American cuisine.
- ScienceDirect Topics — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/annattoSupports: Industrial and food uses of annatto and its flavour contribution.
- My Slice of Mexico — https://mysliceofmexico.ca/2018/12/02/annatto-a-colourful-story/Supports: Historical and cultural use of annatto and naming origins.