Achiote is a tropically-grown tree that produces seeds that provides us with a hair dye, body dye and food coloring called annatto. Annatto in turn is used in a variety of processed foods to give them a yellow orange color such as cheese, ice cream, baked goods, processed cheese, drinks and more. Achiote may be substituted with nutmeg, turmeric, hibiscus powder, paprika or beet powder.
Specifically, American cheese as well as colby and cheddar cheese are foods that use annatto to add color and a bit of flavor, too. The US FDA effectively considers annatto to be a natural coloring and is thus exempt from certification.
While annatto is used for its color, it can also be made into powder form to add flavor. It has a sweet, peppery taste with a trace of nutmeg.
What Is Achiote?
Achiote is a shrub that tends to be grown in countries throughout Central and South America, parts of Mexico and in the Caribbean. The shrub has a long track record in these parts of being used as a spice as well as for red body paint and lipstick.
Achiote vs Annatto? The words tend to be used interchangeably since annatto comes from the achiote bush. So you may see achiote powder or annatto powder, achiote paste or annatto paste, etc.
What Is Annatto?
Annatto is a dye and coloring that is produced from the seeds of the achiote bush. Over the years food producers have used annatto to give an orange or yellow color to their products.
Now, just because something is natural doesn’t mean that it is safe or that you should be using it without care. While we’re conditioned to believe that cheese must be orange or yellowish and other produced products should be a certain color, dyes and colors are often used to give food the look that people expect it to have. It helps to read labels and understand what you’re consuming. In that regard, you may come across products whose label states that it has been colored with annatto or makes a similar reference to it.
Foods Dishes That Use Annatto
Produced foods that have annatto as a coloring include brands like Velveeta cheese, Cheetos, Goldfish crackers as well as products like cereals, graham crackers, mustards, some seasonings, and packaged mac and cheese among others.
It has been reported that around 70% of all natural coloring agents that are consumed around the world came from annatto so it is very prevalent.
Here is a short list of foods that may be colored with annatto:
- Cheeses including “fresh” cheese like colby, cheddar as well as processed American cheese.
- Dairy spreads, butters, and margarines.
- Breakfast cereals.
- Ice cream and baked goods.
- Beverages like tropical fruit juices.
- Mustards as well as some seasonings.
Annatto Side Effects
Research has indicated that annatto may cause certain side effects including allergic reactions resulting in skin itchiness, low blood pressure, swelling, hives and stomach issues among others. More severe side effects may include triggering irritable bowel syndrome.
There isn’t enough research on the effects of annatto in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding so it’s recommended that women in either situation don’t consume more than the average amount found in foods.
While annatto is generally considered safe for most people, it may cause side effects in others. Check with your doctor if you feel you may experience a side effect from annatto and avoid it until you get confirmation one way or the other.
Annatto In Medicine
While annatto is commonly used as a food coloring as mentioned above, it has a track record for use as a herbal medicine, too:
Annatto is commonly used in Peruvian herbal medicine today, where the dried leaves are called achiotec and are drunk as a decoction with reported beneficial effects on many different disorders (e.g. prostate problems, arterial hypertension, obesity).
Handbook of Herbs and Spices (Second edition)
People have often taken annatto for other ailments with many of them simply not having enough evidence to prove efficacy. Research suggests that while annatto is used in many applications and has been used by native Brazilians and others from Central and South America for generations, recent research has yet to definitively show a correlation between many ailments that are claimed to be assisted by annatto.
Foods Dishes That Use Achiote Powder
Achiote powder, also known as annatto powder, is a vibrant red-orange spice derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. It is commonly used in Latin American, Caribbean, and Filipino cuisines to impart color and flavor to various dishes.
Here are some food dishes that use achiote powder:
- Achiote Paste: Achiote powder is a key ingredient in making achiote paste, which is used as a marinade or seasoning for meats, particularly in Mexican and Filipino cuisines. The paste is often combined with other spices, citrus juices, and vinegar to create a flavorful marinade for grilling or braising.
- Rice and Grain Dishes: Achiote powder can be added to rice and grain dishes, such as Mexican rice or Caribbean-style rice and beans, to give them a vibrant color and a subtle earthy flavor.
- Tacos and Tamales: Achiote powder is used in the preparation of various fillings for tacos and tamales, providing a distinctive taste and reddish hue to the meat or vegetable fillings.
- Soups and Stews: Achiote powder can be incorporated into soups and stews, such as Mexican pozole or Filipino sinigang, to add color and a mild peppery flavor.
- Sauce and Marinades: Achiote powder can be used in the preparation of sauces and marinades for grilled or roasted meats, adding a rich color and flavor profile.
- Seasoned Oils: Achiote powder can be infused into oils, such as annatto oil, which is commonly used in Latin American cooking as a base for various dishes, including sautés, marinades, and dressings.
These are just a few examples of dishes where achiote powder is used, but its applications are versatile across various cuisines. It imparts a unique flavor and color, making it a popular choice for enhancing the visual appeal and taste of dishes.
Substitute For Achiote Powder
Achiote powder (or annatto powder) is used to add flavor to foods. Powdered annatto has a sweet, peppery taste and gives off a trace of nutmeg.
In that regard, if you are looking for a substitute for annatto either because you can’t find it or wish to avoid it, you may consider nutmeg itself or turmeric, hibiscus powder, paprika or beet powder.
