Annatto is obtained from the seeds of theB. orellanaL. species. Usually annatto, urucum, has the same name of the colorant since the major part of the seeds are comprised of the colorant (bixin/norbixin). Its name was given by Francisco d’Orellana, an expeditioner and explorer in the...
An alternate name for achiote seeds is the “poor man's saffron,” because they are often used to color foods. The seeds are steeped in hot water to extract the characteristic red color, or they are fried to color the oil. The flavor of the seeds is slightly sweet and also peppery, ...