Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Description/Taste
Annatto seeds are pyramid-shaped, measuring approximately 5 mm in length, and are encased in black-brown, hairy seed pods that grow in tight clusters. Each pod holds 8 to 10 seeds, and the seed’s brick red, waxy shell surrounds a dark brown paste-like center with an oily sheen. When handled, the seeds excrete a red-orange oily residue that easily dyes hands and surfaces. Annatto seeds are extremely hard, making it difficult to cut and grind the seeds. The seeds bear a musty aroma with a peppermint finish, developing a nose-tingling sensation when inhaled deeply. Annatto seeds have a mild, smokey, and peppery citrus flavor with subtle complexities of peppermint, chocolate, and nutmeg that linger on the palate.
Seasons/Availability
Annatto seeds are available year-round.
Current Facts
Annatto seeds are harvested from spike-covered, heart-shaped fruit of the Bixa orellana shrub. As the fruit of the Bixa shrub matures, the pods can be easily split open to harvest the seeds inside. The Bixa orellana shrub is also known as the lipstick tree due to the shape of the seed pods and the seed’s use as a dye for cosmetics. Annatto seeds are commonly known as Achiote in Mexican and Latin markets and as Atsuwete or Achuete in Asian markets. While Annatto seeds are popular in Latin, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine, Annatto seeds are also the world’s most widely used food colorant, gaining immense popularity in the 1980s as countries like Japan outlawed the use of synthetic dyes in food products.
Nutritional Value
Annatto seeds are a significant source of carotenoids and bixin, a powerful antioxidant, which gives the seed its brick red color and is the main component harvested for coloring food and textiles. Annatto seeds are also rich in calcium, fiber, and folic acid. The seeds have antimicrobial properties due to their high level of antioxidants and have been used to aid in the healing of wounds, skincare, and relieve stomach issues.
Applications
Annatto seeds are most commonly used as a food coloring for butter, margarine, and cheeses like cheddar, edam, and muenster. Annatto seeds are also the main component in Achiote paste, a mixture of the seeds with aromatics, including cumin and coriander, and citrus juice or vinegar. Achiote pastes are popular in Latin and Caribbean cuisine and are incorporated into marinades and sauces for added flavoring. Annatto seeds can also be steeped in hot oil or lard to create manteca de Achiote, an infused, bright orange oil that contains subtle flavors of the seed. In Asia, the seeds are common in many Filipino dishes, and the Vietnamese incorporate the seeds into bun bo hue, a soup infused with Annatto seeds to impart an umami flavor. Annatto seeds pair well with rice, poultry, and fish and complement the flavors of onions and bay leaves, making them ideal for slow-braised meats, soups, and stews. Whole Annatto seeds can be stored in an air-tight container in a dry, dark place for up to three years. Annatto seed paste can be kept up to three months when stored in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The cultural significance of Annatto seeds can be traced back to the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec Empires, where the plant and seeds were viewed as sacred. These ancient civilizations used Annatto seeds as body paint, food coloring, dye, and ink. In rituals within Mayan and Aztec cultures, Annatto seeds were used to turn xocalatl, a chocolate drink, dark red to symbolize a blood offering to the gods. Legend says the Tsachila tribe in Ecuador began covering their skin with paste from the Annatto seeds after the tribal leader received a vision from the gods saying the fruit of the Achiote tree would ward off deadly European diseases brought by the Spanish invaders in the 18th century. This practice led to the tribe’s nickname ‘Colorado,’ meaning ‘reddish colored,’ and the seed is still used today by the men of the tribe to dye their hair red.
Geography/History
Bixa orellana is native to the tropical regions of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The earliest uses of the seeds, referred to as Achiotl in Ancient Latin cultures, can be traced back to the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations. The name Annatto is derived from indigenous Caribbean languages where the spice was valued in hunter-gatherer tribes and remains popular today. Although Achiote plants and seeds were brought to Asia from Mexico in the 17th century through Sephardic Jewish trade routes, Annatto seeds and plants from Portuguese, French, and Dutch colonies in Martinique seem to have spread more quickly across the Old World. This trade route can be traced through traditional recipes in Jamaican, Filipino, and Vietnamese cuisine, where the Caribbean name for the seed and plant, Annatto and Bija, is more widely used than the Latin name Achiotl. The use of Annatto seeds to dye food began when settlers arrived in the Americas and could not find saffron to use as coloring in their recipes. Annatto seeds were soon referred to as ‘poor man’s saffron,’ and their popularity in Europe grew immensely, leading to the commercial cultivation of the spice in India by 1787. The seeds continued to expand in use as European cheesemakers added dye derived from the seeds to low-quality cheeses to mimic the yellowish hue that higher-quality grass-fed cheeses would produce. This tradition continues today in many different cheese and dairy products. Today Peru, Brazil, the Philippines, and Kenya are among the top exporters of Annatto seeds, and the United States, Western Europe, and Japan are the leading importers of the spice. Although Annatto seeds are widely used in many cultures, it can still be challenging to locate the whole seeds in supermarkets. The seeds can be more easily found in Latin and Caribbean markets and through spice vendors.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Annatto. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
