Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnnatto Forms and UsesIs It Safe?Extraction ProcessWhere to Find It?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Annatto Forms and Uses
Is It Safe?
Extraction Process
Where to Find It?
Annattois a plant-based food additive made from the seeds of theBixa orellanashrub.Native to South America and Central America, the plant produces one of the most commonly used dyes worldwide. It gets its distinctive yellow-orange color from bixin, norbixin, and other carotenoids.
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Forms of Annatto and Different Uses
People have been using annatto for centuries to prevent and treat various health conditions. Mainly a food additive, it’s also been used to dye cloth, as a sunscreen, and to repel insects. In tropical regions, indigenous people have used annatto for body paint, to ward off evil, and to enhance and beautify lips. That’s why theBixa orellanais sometimes called the “lipstick tree.”
In Food
As much as 70% of all natural food coloring agents worldwide come from annatto.It has a mild, slightly sweet, peppery taste and a color that ranges from bold yellow to an orange-reddish hue. The food industry uses annatto and annatto extracts to color various products, including:
Many Latin American and Caribbean dishes owe their vibrant color to annatto. The seeds are usually ground into powder, mixed with water to make a paste, or combined with oils to makecooking oil.
Annatto Powder SubstitutesWhen you want to add a little color or aroma to food, annatto powder or paprika can do the trick. While annatto comes from seeds, paprika comes from dried and ground mild red peppers.You can substitute one for another in a recipe, but there might be a slight taste difference. If you do not have annatto in your spice rack, you can try alternatives such as:BeetCuminCurryHibiscusSaffronTurmeric
Annatto Powder Substitutes
When you want to add a little color or aroma to food, annatto powder or paprika can do the trick. While annatto comes from seeds, paprika comes from dried and ground mild red peppers.You can substitute one for another in a recipe, but there might be a slight taste difference. If you do not have annatto in your spice rack, you can try alternatives such as:BeetCuminCurryHibiscusSaffronTurmeric
When you want to add a little color or aroma to food, annatto powder or paprika can do the trick. While annatto comes from seeds, paprika comes from dried and ground mild red peppers.You can substitute one for another in a recipe, but there might be a slight taste difference. If you do not have annatto in your spice rack, you can try alternatives such as:
Cosmetics
Annatto helps provide color in many personal care products, including makeup, shampoos, and skincare products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the general use of annatto in cosmetics, including those you apply around the eyes and on your lips.
Medicinal Uses
Research studies show that phytochemicals from all parts of the plant have a range of pharmacological actions, such as:
Despite the potential health benefits, research into how annatto may impact particular health conditions is lacking.
Dietary Supplement
You can buy annatto capsules wherever you buy dietary supplements. There’s not enough evidence that taking annatto as a dietary supplement can prevent or treat any health condition. More research on dosing, potential benefits, and possible side effects in humans is needed.
It’s always a good idea to discuss dietary supplements with a healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
A Word From VerywellAnnatto adds a sweet, spicy flavor and vibrant color to various dishes. It can be added to meals like soup and rice or used as a marinade for meats. Like other spices, a small amount goes a long way in flavor.—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Annatto adds a sweet, spicy flavor and vibrant color to various dishes. It can be added to meals like soup and rice or used as a marinade for meats. Like other spices, a small amount goes a long way in flavor.—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Annatto adds a sweet, spicy flavor and vibrant color to various dishes. It can be added to meals like soup and rice or used as a marinade for meats. Like other spices, a small amount goes a long way in flavor.
—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
How Safe Is It?
Annatto is generally safe for most people to eat in the amounts typically found in food.It’s natural and nontoxic and does not seem to change the nutrient value of food.However, there is not much research on the potential side effects of higher amounts in particular populations, such as pregnant or nursing individuals or those with underlying health conditions.
Adverse reactions to food colorants are not common.Some people may be more sensitive to annatto.Allergic reactions, includinganaphylaxis(a potentially life-threatening reaction), have been reported.Consuming foods with annatto may trigger symptoms for some people withirritable bowel syndrome(IBS).
There have been some concerns that annatto may cause DNA damage, but research has not found that to be the case.
In parts of the world where annatto grows, ground seeds are typically used as a condiment or food colorant. Other countries tend to use extracts for food coloring.
Based on the extraction process and temperature, these extracts have different proportions of the carotenoids bixin and norbixin. That’s why each method may produce a slightly different color.
Where to Find Annatto
Ground annatto can be found in the spice aisle, alone or blended with other spices. If you cannot find it in a standard grocery store, try one that specializes in Caribbean, South American, Central American, Mexican, or Filipino ingredients. You can also order it online. It can be found in capsule form wherever dietary supplements are sold.
Summary
Annatto is a natural food additive made from the seeds of theBixa orellanatree. It’s also a colorant in cosmetics and other personal care products. Depending on how annatto is extracted, its color can range from yellow to orange to red. It’s used in various foods, such as cheese, condiments, sauces, soups, and stews.
Research suggests that annatto has many healthful properties. However, there aren’t enough human studies to know how it may affect particular health conditions. If you experience side effects after eating something containing annatto, stop eating it until you can consult a healthcare provider.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Wisconsin-Madison.Annatto or achiote, bixa orellana.Shahid-Ul-Islam, Rather LJ, Mohammad F.Phytochemistry, biological activities and potential of annatto in natural colorant production for industrial applications - A review.J Adv Res.2016 May;7(3):499-514. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2015.11.002Vilar Dde A, Vilar MS, de Lima e Moura TF, et al.Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of Bixa orellana L.: A review.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:857292. doi:10.1155/2014/857292Institute of Culinary Education.Ingredient spotlight: Paprika.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Color additives permitted for use in cosmetics.Raddatz-Mota D, Pérez-Flores LJ, Carrari F, et al.Achiote (Bixa orellanaL.): A natural source of pigment and vitamin E.J Food Sci Technol. 2017 May;54(6):1729-1741. doi:10.1007/s13197-017-2579-7Feketea G, Tsabouri S.Common food colorants and allergic reactions in children: Myth or reality?Food Chem. 2017;230:578-588. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.03.043Nish WA, Whisman BA, Goetz DW, Ramirez DA.Anaphylaxis to annatto dye: a case report.Ann Allergy.1991 Feb;66(2):129-31. PMID: 1994783.Stein HL.Annatto and IBS.Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology43(10):p 1014-1015, November 2009. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181ae4e1bYounes M, Castle L, Engel KH, Fowler P, et al.Safety of annatto E and the exposure to the annatto colouring principles bixin and norbixin (E 160b) when used as a food additive.EFSA J.2019 Mar 13;17(3):e05626. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5626Kang EJ, Campbell RE, Bastian E, Drake MA.Invited review: Annatto usage and bleaching in dairy foods.Journal of Dairy Science. 2010;93(9):3891-3901.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Wisconsin-Madison.Annatto or achiote, bixa orellana.Shahid-Ul-Islam, Rather LJ, Mohammad F.Phytochemistry, biological activities and potential of annatto in natural colorant production for industrial applications - A review.J Adv Res.2016 May;7(3):499-514. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2015.11.002Vilar Dde A, Vilar MS, de Lima e Moura TF, et al.Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of Bixa orellana L.: A review.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:857292. doi:10.1155/2014/857292Institute of Culinary Education.Ingredient spotlight: Paprika.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Color additives permitted for use in cosmetics.Raddatz-Mota D, Pérez-Flores LJ, Carrari F, et al.Achiote (Bixa orellanaL.): A natural source of pigment and vitamin E.J Food Sci Technol. 2017 May;54(6):1729-1741. doi:10.1007/s13197-017-2579-7Feketea G, Tsabouri S.Common food colorants and allergic reactions in children: Myth or reality?Food Chem. 2017;230:578-588. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.03.043Nish WA, Whisman BA, Goetz DW, Ramirez DA.Anaphylaxis to annatto dye: a case report.Ann Allergy.1991 Feb;66(2):129-31. PMID: 1994783.Stein HL.Annatto and IBS.Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology43(10):p 1014-1015, November 2009. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181ae4e1bYounes M, Castle L, Engel KH, Fowler P, et al.Safety of annatto E and the exposure to the annatto colouring principles bixin and norbixin (E 160b) when used as a food additive.EFSA J.2019 Mar 13;17(3):e05626. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5626Kang EJ, Campbell RE, Bastian E, Drake MA.Invited review: Annatto usage and bleaching in dairy foods.Journal of Dairy Science. 2010;93(9):3891-3901.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Wisconsin-Madison.Annatto or achiote, bixa orellana.Shahid-Ul-Islam, Rather LJ, Mohammad F.Phytochemistry, biological activities and potential of annatto in natural colorant production for industrial applications - A review.J Adv Res.2016 May;7(3):499-514. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2015.11.002Vilar Dde A, Vilar MS, de Lima e Moura TF, et al.Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of Bixa orellana L.: A review.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:857292. doi:10.1155/2014/857292Institute of Culinary Education.Ingredient spotlight: Paprika.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Color additives permitted for use in cosmetics.Raddatz-Mota D, Pérez-Flores LJ, Carrari F, et al.Achiote (Bixa orellanaL.): A natural source of pigment and vitamin E.J Food Sci Technol. 2017 May;54(6):1729-1741. doi:10.1007/s13197-017-2579-7Feketea G, Tsabouri S.Common food colorants and allergic reactions in children: Myth or reality?Food Chem. 2017;230:578-588. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.03.043Nish WA, Whisman BA, Goetz DW, Ramirez DA.Anaphylaxis to annatto dye: a case report.Ann Allergy.1991 Feb;66(2):129-31. PMID: 1994783.Stein HL.Annatto and IBS.Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology43(10):p 1014-1015, November 2009. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181ae4e1bYounes M, Castle L, Engel KH, Fowler P, et al.Safety of annatto E and the exposure to the annatto colouring principles bixin and norbixin (E 160b) when used as a food additive.EFSA J.2019 Mar 13;17(3):e05626. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5626Kang EJ, Campbell RE, Bastian E, Drake MA.Invited review: Annatto usage and bleaching in dairy foods.Journal of Dairy Science. 2010;93(9):3891-3901.
University of Wisconsin-Madison.Annatto or achiote, bixa orellana.
Shahid-Ul-Islam, Rather LJ, Mohammad F.Phytochemistry, biological activities and potential of annatto in natural colorant production for industrial applications - A review.J Adv Res.2016 May;7(3):499-514. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2015.11.002
Vilar Dde A, Vilar MS, de Lima e Moura TF, et al.Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities of Bixa orellana L.: A review.ScientificWorldJournal. 2014;2014:857292. doi:10.1155/2014/857292
Institute of Culinary Education.Ingredient spotlight: Paprika.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Color additives permitted for use in cosmetics.
Raddatz-Mota D, Pérez-Flores LJ, Carrari F, et al.Achiote (Bixa orellanaL.): A natural source of pigment and vitamin E.J Food Sci Technol. 2017 May;54(6):1729-1741. doi:10.1007/s13197-017-2579-7
Feketea G, Tsabouri S.Common food colorants and allergic reactions in children: Myth or reality?Food Chem. 2017;230:578-588. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.03.043
Nish WA, Whisman BA, Goetz DW, Ramirez DA.Anaphylaxis to annatto dye: a case report.Ann Allergy.1991 Feb;66(2):129-31. PMID: 1994783.
Stein HL.Annatto and IBS.Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology43(10):p 1014-1015, November 2009. doi:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181ae4e1b
Younes M, Castle L, Engel KH, Fowler P, et al.Safety of annatto E and the exposure to the annatto colouring principles bixin and norbixin (E 160b) when used as a food additive.EFSA J.2019 Mar 13;17(3):e05626. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5626
Kang EJ, Campbell RE, Bastian E, Drake MA.Invited review: Annatto usage and bleaching in dairy foods.Journal of Dairy Science. 2010;93(9):3891-3901.
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