Orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree
Open fruit of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), showing the seeds from which annatto is extracted.
Annatto (/əˈnætoʊ/ or /əˈnɑːtoʊ/) is an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to tropical parts of the Americas.[1] It is often used to impart a yellow to red-orange color to foods, but sometimes also for its flavor and aroma. Its scent is described as "slightly peppery with a hint of nutmeg" and flavor as "slightly nutty, sweet and peppery".[2]
The color of annatto comes from various carotenoid pigments, mainly bixin and norbixin, found in the reddish waxy coating of the seeds. The condiment is typically prepared by grinding the seeds to a powder or paste. Similar effects can be obtained by extracting some of the color and flavor principles from the seeds with hot water, oil, or lard, which are then added to the food.[3]
Annatto and its extracts are now widely used in an artisanal or industrial scale as a coloring agent in many processed food products, such as cheeses, dairy spreads, butter and margarine, custards, cakes and other baked goods, potatoes, snack foods, breakfast cereals, smoked fish, sausages, and more. In these uses, annatto is a natural alternative to synthetic food coloring compounds, but it has been linked to rare cases of food-related allergies.[4] Annatto is of particular commercial value in the United States because the Food and Drug Administration considers colorants derived from it to be "exempt of certification".
^"Bixa orellana (annatto)". CABI. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
^"Encyclopedia of Spices". TheEpicentre.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
^Smith, James (2006). "Annatto Extracts" (PDF). Chemical and Technical Assessment. JECFA. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
^Cite error: The named reference WAOJ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Annatto (/əˈnætoʊ/ or /əˈnɑːtoʊ/) is an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to tropical...
in many countries worldwide. The plant is best known as the source of annatto, a natural orange-red condiment (also called achiote or bijol) obtained...
cheese that is relatively hard, off-white (or orange if colourings such as annatto are added), and sometimes sharp-tasting. It originates from the English...
beer and annatto oil, and saffron is no substitute. Beer and annatto are rarely used in Spanish cooking and never in arroz con pollo there. Annatto is frequently...
cochinita involves marinating the meat in strongly acidic citrus juice, adding annatto seed, which imparts a vivid burnt orange color, and roasting the meat in...
Since the 18th century, it has been coloured orange by the addition of annatto extract during manufacture. It is a cow's milk cheese, and is named after...
a separate pot, annatto seeds are heated with an oil such as olive oil, or lard. The oil is strained and seeds are discarded. Annatto oil gives the rice...
cheese comes from the natural seasoning, annatto. When used in small amounts, primarily as a food colorant, annatto adds no discernible flavor or aroma. The...
rice flour, brown sugar and lye, enhanced with yellow food coloring or annatto extract, and steamed in small ramekins. It bears resemblance to the Burmese...
with quail eggs, which are smaller, with batter made by mixing annatto powder or annatto seeds that have been soaked in water. Kwek kwek and tokeneneng...
wine, broth, annatto oil, and spices such as cumin, pepper, coriander seeds and oregano brujo. Annatto oil is made by steeping annatto seeds in olive...
guanimes are made with corn masa seasoned with coconut milk, lard, broth, and annatto, wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk. The several versions of guanimes...
which it derives its name. It is commonly extracted from the seeds to form annatto, a natural food coloring, containing about 5% pigments of which 70–80%...
calabazas. It is seasoned with liquid from the meat mixture, milk, and annatto oil. The meat is prepared as a stew and usually contains any combination...
or white in color; yellow American cheese is seasoned and colored with annatto. Processed American cheese was invented in the 1910s by James L. Kraft...
cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. The rind's orange color is from annatto, a sweet and nutty seasoning used to add flavor and color to cheeses such...
are generally seasoned with lard, annatto, garlic and salt. The annatto gives it signature yellow/orange color. Annatto seeds are simmered in lard to release...
commercial manufacturing process sometimes alters this with food colorings like annatto or carotene. The word butter derives (via Germanic languages) from the...
American and Filipino adaptation of the Valencian style of cooking rice, uses annatto instead of saffron Arroz con gandules – Latin American (Caribbean) adaptation...
dish characterized by its yellow-orange tint from the use of turmeric or annatto. Variants of the dish add bell peppers, pimiento, paprika, and/or tomato...
a slightly hot habanero pepper, recao/culantro (spiny leaf), achiote (annatto), peppers, allspice, ají caballero (the hottest pepper native to Puerto...
radiosensitivity of three organic food colorants including curcumin, carmine, and annatto to create data to be used for application whenever food products containing...
agents. The yellow-to-red color of many cheeses is produced by adding annatto. Other added ingredients may include black pepper, garlic, chives or cranberries...
of many cheeses, such as Red Leicester, is normally formed from adding annatto. While most current varieties of cheese may be traced to a particular locale...
nizquezar) and lard, but includes seasonings such as salt and achiote (annatto). This combination is traditionally cooked in a large batch over a wood...
seeded, and then added to the sofrito. Sofrito is sautéed in lard, oil or annatto oil until most of liquid has evaporated. Tomatoe sauce, cured pork (ham...
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