Tag: Annatto seeds

Annatto, derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), is a powerful natural food additive with a rich history and vibrant orange-red pigment. But beyond its common use as a colorant, are annatto seeds healthy and do they offer any real health benefits? The answer lies in their impressive nutritional profile and potent plant compounds.

Approximately 70% of all natural food colorings are derived from annatto seeds, found in the fruit of the achiote tree. Beyond their vibrant red-orange pigment, annatto seeds have been used for centuries for their potential health benefits in traditional medicine across Central and South America.

Native to tropical America, the evergreen *Bixa orellana* shrub is known by many names across the globe, leading to the common confusion of whether roucou is the same as achiote. While the names may differ, they refer to the very same seeds and extract, with distinctions arising from regional preparations and culinary traditions.