Spice

Seed

Annatto seeds (achiote) are small, hard, triangular seeds coated in red-orange carotenoid pigment from the Bixa orellana pod. Flavour is mild—earthy, slightly peppery and musky—while colour is the main reason cooks and industry use them. Whole seeds are steeped in oil or water, then strained, or ground into pastes with spices. Essential for Yucatecan recados, Latin rice colouring, cheese tinting, and Filipino and Caribbean dishes. Do not expect chilli heat; burn seeds and the oil turns bitter. Store whole seeds airtight away from light.

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Quantity

Unit

Kg Liters Whole

Note

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Ground Seed

Whole Seed

Characteristics

Preparations

GroundOil InfusedSteepedWhole

Traits

Colourant FirstColourfulEarthyHard SeedMildMild FlavourMuskyRed-Orange Pigment

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 484

Amount per 100 g

Total Fat 23.4 g
Saturated Fat 6.81 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 6.78 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.77 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 41.6 mg
Salt 0.1 g
Total Carbohydrate 53 g
Dietary Fibre 36.2 g
Total Sugars 4.83 g
Complex / starch 14.3 g
Protein 15.5 g
Water 1.96 g

Detailed nutrients

Energy 484 kcal
Water 1.96 g
Carbohydrates 53 g
- Sugars 4.83 g
- Starch 14.3 g
- Fibre 36.2 g
Protein 15.5 g
Fat 23.4 g
- Saturated Fat 6.81 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 6.78 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 9.77 g
  - Omega-3 0.99 g
Vitamins 105 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.13 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 1.66 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.41 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.35 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 3.5 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 46 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 2.26 mg
- Vitamin K 33.7 µg
Minerals 327 mg
- Major Minerals 326 mg
  - Calcium 27 mg
  - Sodium 41.6 mg
  - Potassium 257 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
  - Iron 1.5 mg
Salt 0.1 g

Vitamins

vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.08 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.13 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 1.66 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.41 · vitamin-b6: 0.35 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 3.5 · vitamin-b9-folate: 46 · vitamin-e: 2.26 · vitamin-k: 33.7 ·

Minerals

Sodium: 41.55 · Potassium: 257 · Calcium: 27 · Iron: 1.5 ·

Seeds concentrate oil and protein for germination energy.

History

1000 BCEMX

Mesoamerican cultures used annatto seed for food colouring, body paint, and ritual.

1500

Colonial trade spread achiote through Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Philippines.

1900

Industrial food colouring adopted annatto for cheeses and processed foods worldwide.