Annatto | Achiote – Bixa orellana
Annato, Bixa orellana , is a shrub or small fruit bearing tree, 5-10 m in height, from the tropical regions of the south-central Americas and the Caribbean and can be found in some regions of Mexico. Annatto is a member of the Bixaceae family the genus Bixa, known also as achiote, rocou uruku and urucum amongst other names. Its best known as the source of the natural pigment annatto made from the fruit.
Leaves are shiny heart-shaped occasionally with reddish veins. Beautiful pink flowers make it popular as a hedging plant in colonial gardens. Annatto is a abundantly fruiting tree, virtually covered with bright colored pods hanging up from the end of branches.
Annatto Fruit
The heart-shaped, reddish-orange fruit capsule has red prickly spines. When mature, the pod breaks open in half to display around 50 triangular in shaped, seeds, 3 – 5 mm, cased in reddish to brick red pulp. The pulp is utilized in a lot of commercial dye products.
Traditionally, the crushed seeds are submerge in water and left there until the water evaporate. A brightly colored, malleable consistency paste is produced which is added to soups, cheeses, and different other foods to contribute a bright yellowish-orange color. This natural food color frequently substitutes the very costly saffron (Crocus sativus) in recipes and dishes around the globe.
Annatto seed paste produced in South America is exported to Europe and North America, where it is employed as a food coloring for margarine, cheese, microwave popcorn, and some other yellow or orange food product. Annatto paste is also utilized as a natural dye for cloth and fleece and is occasionally used in the paint, varnish, lacquer, cosmetic, and soap manufactures. Annatto was in use medicinally to check fevers, dysentery and kidney diseases.
Annatto Propagation Methods
Plant propagation is by seeds or cuttings. Annato needs a tropical climatic setting in a loamy soil and altitudes below 1,000 meters in order to grow well.
Annatto, bixa orellana
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