Annato Seed
bixa orellana



whole annato seed

PROTEIN

Annatto was once used to control fevers,
dysentry and kidney diseases, though is now used mostly
as a dye in medical preparations such as ointments and plasters.

In India the pulp is used as an insect repellent.

Food coloring, a natural substance
found in the annatto seed.

Annatto is a tropical American tree whose seeds
are used to produce a food coloring used in cheese,
margarine, butter, rice and smoked fish.

Annatto is widely used
in Latin America and the Caribbean
cuisines as both a coloring agent and for flavoring.

Central and South American Indians
used the seeds to make
a body paint, and as a lipstick.
(also called achiote, and lipstick tree).


CLINICAL REFERENCES