Have you ever noticed the beautiful yellow-orange color of cheese, butter, yogurt, and sausages that we buy at the store? Have you ever wondered where this color comes from? Most of the time, it's due to a natural substance called 'annatto.' In fact, 70% of all natural food coloring comes from this annatto. So today, let's talk about what this annatto is, how safe it is, and what are its benefits and drawbacks.
What exactly is Annatto?
Simply put, annatto is a natural food coloring and spice extracted from the seeds of the *Bixa orellana* tree. This tree is also called 'achiote'. These trees grow in tropical regions such as Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the East Indies.
The red-brown, spiny fruit of this tree contains about 10 to 50 seeds. The waxy coating on the outside of these seeds is used to extract annatto. Its beautiful color comes from the carotenoid pigments bixin and norbixin in the seeds. This tree is also called the "lipstick tree" because it was once used to make lipstick.
It tastes, smells... and it's colorful!
Annatto adds a peppery flavor to dishes with a slight sweetness. It also has a flavor similar to paprika or saffron. Some people use it instead of the more expensive saffron. The reason for this is that annatto can give dishes a golden color similar to saffron. For this reason, annatto has also been nicknamed "poor man's saffron."
What are the benefits of annatto?
Today, annatto's main use is as a food coloring and flavoring. But it also has many traditional uses beyond that. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Use | Description |
|---|---|
| As a food coloring and flavoring | It is used in cheese, margarine, ice cream, smoked fish, baked goods, and Latin American dishes such as rice, beans, and soups. |
| Traditional practices | It has been used to paint pottery, weapons, dye silk and other fabrics, and to color the body and hair (also as war paint). |
| In traditional medicine | It has been used as an insect repellent, sunscreen, and antiseptic. It has also been used as a treatment for asthma, burns, constipation, diarrhea, fever, chest inflammation, skin diseases, and wounds. (NB: Many of these health benefits have not been scientifically proven.) |
Are the alleged health benefits of annatto true?
Annatto has been a part of traditional medicine for centuries, and modern researchers have discovered anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties.
But there's one thing we all need to keep in mind here. That is, most of these studies have been done in labs using cells or animals. It's not yet clear whether these will have the same effects on humans.
- Antioxidant properties: Annatto is a rich source of antioxidants like carotenoids and tocotrienols, which protect our body from free radicals that damage cells.
- Anti-cancer properties: Preliminary research suggests that annatto may have anti-cancer properties. In one study, a pigment called bixin, extracted from annatto seed extract, was able to kill a type of blood cancer cell line. However, these are still in the research stage .
- Lowering cholesterol: The norbixin and bixin in annatto may help lower cholesterol. Although animal studies have shown some success, it is not yet certain whether it can lower cholesterol in humans.
- Kills germs: Annatto extract has been shown to inhibit the growth of several types of bacteria, including *Staphylococcus aureus*, which causes skin infections, and *Clostridium perfringens*, which causes food poisoning.
- Anti-inflammatory: Research has shown that annatto extract has the ability to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body.
Can using annatto cause side effects?
Annatto is generally considered safe for most people to consume in small amounts found in foods.
However, very rarely, some sensitive individuals may experience allergic reactions. For example, skin rashes (hives), facial swelling, and low blood pressure may occur. Also, symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating (IBS) have been reported. However, this is also very rare .
If you experience any of these allergic symptoms after eating a food containing annatto, be sure to see your doctor immediately.
Because there is not enough human data on its safety during pregnancy, it is wise for pregnant women to avoid consuming more annatto than is typically found in foods.
In what ways can we get annatto?
We find annatto in many different forms, each with different benefits.
| Form | Description & Use |
|---|---|
| Seeds | These are the primary parts that get the pigment. The outer covering of the seeds contains the pigment. |
| Paste | A paste made by mixing ground annatto seeds with spices such as cumin, coriander, and cumin. It is used to marinate meat, fish, and chicken. |
| Oil | It is made by heating annatto seeds in vegetable oil, removing the seeds after the pigment dissolves in the oil. It gives the dish a beautiful orange-red color. |
| Powder | Annatto seeds are ground into a powder and used as a flavoring, coloring, and in cosmetics and fabric dyes. |
What can I use instead of annatto?
If you want to add red, yellow, or orange color to a dish, but can't find annatto, these spices are good substitutes:
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Chili powder
Take-Home Message
- Annatto is a natural food coloring and spice obtained from the seeds of the Bixa orellana tree.
- It is widely used in industrial foods such as cheese, butter, and margarine to give foods a yellow-orange color.
- It is safe for most people to consume in normal amounts found in food.
- Although there is research on health benefits such as antioxidants and anti-cancer properties, it is still not definitively proven how they affect humans.
- Allergic reactions are very rare. If you experience any allergic symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
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