Achiote/Annatto Leaves and Seeds of the “Lipstick Tree”

(Lat. Bixa Orellana)

Other names: Achiotillo, Arbre rouge à lèvre, Arnotta, Bija, Latkan, Rocou, Rocouyer, Roucou, urucum bixa

Have you ever tried a piece of the “lipstick tree”? Not yet? Go ahead and find the achiote, whose seeds will please the eye also thanks to the coloring abilities, but they are also beneficial for the whole organism.

What is Achiote

As the exotic name suggests, the home of achiote are the mysterious and not yet fully explored forests of Central and South America. It is a large shrub-like plant (a small tree) that loves tropical and subtropical climates, so today you can find it also in Asia and Africa.

At first glance, it attracts with its distinctive inedible fruits, which contain large amounts of fleshy seeds – annatto. These have been used for millennia for their coloring abilities in meals, for body decoration and for ritual purposes. The “lipstick” nickname of the tree is also comes from their intense color.

Annatto are seeds from the achiote tree. It is technically a spice because it comes from the seeds of this tree. When they dry, they are used whole or ground as a spice and give an earthy, peppery flavor in Latin cuisines. You can buy it in paste form, too. Buy brightly colored red-orange seeds. (Brown seeds are past their time and have lost their full flavor.)

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Annatto benefits

Annatto seeds are a colorful, healthy, and undoubtedly nutritious addition to the diet. South American indigenous people have traditionally used it for centuries not only as a natural food coloring and preservative, but also as a very popular in traditional folk medicine. Thanks to carotenoids seeds have its typical vivid red color. Moreover, they are great source of other vitamins and minerals like calcium, sodium and iron.

• a rich source of antioxidants, protects skin cells,
• improves digestion,
• helps manage diabetes,
• since it is high in tocotrienol, it strengthens bones
• as expectorant and for treating gonorrhea
• reduces signs of aging.

Achiote leaves:

The seeds are also used in medicine, but in the effects they are rolled over by the leaves of achiote.

They are made into a simple tea-like decoction, or leached in a highly concentrated alcohol to produce a tonic.

While seeds have an expressive taste, leaves have purely herbal tones. Decoction is golden and very pleasant to drink. Although it has many health benefits, keep in mind that it is essentially an herb. Two or three cups a day are sufficient.

Benefits of Achiote:

• strong anti-inflammatory effects,
• suppress the feeling of nausea,
• reduce the production of cholesterol in the liver,
• fight against stomach ache, intestinal difficulties and generally regulate digestion,
• balance glucose level,
• help with headaches, fever or cold,
• as source of vitamins,
• as astringent, for treating acne and other skin problems,
• speed up wound healing and burns,
• treats diarrhea,
• help with asthma,
• for snakebites

and many more.

Annatto usage

Above all annatto is most used used as a natural coloring of other foods. If you see on a label color additive E160b, that’s the European Union food number for Annatto.

The seed has a sweet, peppery taste and is an ingredient in spicy and fragrant dishes. You can find this spice in butter, cookies, cereals and various snacks.

Under proper storage condition it lasts up to three years. Just keep it in airtight container, away from direct light.

Check out these delicious recipes Spice up your life with achiote/annatto seeds.