Annatto Seeds and Achiote Seeds: The Colorful Superfoods You Need in Your Kitchen
If you've ever cooked Latin American, Caribbean, or Filipino food, there's a good chance you've used annatto seeds even if you didn't know it. These tiny, rust-red seeds pack a surprisingly powerful punch, both in terms of flavor and health benefits. And here's the thing: most Americans are only just beginning to discover what these little seeds can do. What Are Annatto Seeds? Annatto seeds come from the Bixa orellana tree, a tropical shrub native to Central and South America. The seeds are found inside bright, spiny red pods and are known for producing a rich orange-yellow pigment called bixin. This natural pigment has been used for centuries as a food dye, body paint, and even sunscreen by indigenous cultures. Today, annatto is one of the most widely used natural food colorants in the world. You'll find it in butter, cheese, margarine, snack foods, and countless other products often listed simply as "annatto" on the ingredient label. What Are...