Have you ever noticed the ingredient annatto seeds or ground annatto called for in your recipe and wondered, “What the heck is annatto?”
Annatto comes from the seeds of the achiote tree. The achiote is a small tree, shrub-like, that grows in tropical areas of the world. Annatto is technically a spice because it comes from the seeds of this tree.
One of the things that annatto is most often used for is as a natural coloring of other foods. It is extremely popular for coloring cheddar cheese and what gives cheddar that bright orange hue. If you go to your refrigerator right now and take out your cheddar cheese, chances are you will see it listed as an ingredient.
Annatto is also known as the “poor man’s saffron.” The color is produces is very similar to saffron at significantly less the cost.
On some food labels you will see the color additive E160b. That is the European Union food number for Annatto.
The seed has a sweet, peppery taste and is an ingredient in spicy and fragrant dishes. It is used in stews, pork, fish and vegetable recipes.
This spice ingredient is commonly found in butter, cookies, cereals and other snacks. Even if you have never cooked with annatto you have most likely consumed it.
