Annatto whole seeds - seasoning for delicious dishes, Achiote

Annatto whole seeds

Bixa orellana

Annatto, also known as achiote seed, is a mild spice used in Latin American, Caribbean and Filipino cuisine. It imparts a rich red color to food, making it a great natural food coloring. It has been used for centuries to color cheeses such as Red Leicester or red rice. The taste is a combined mix of sweet, tart and peppery and is wonderful if you want your dish to have a bright and exotic look.

But Annatto is more than pretty orange berries. Beneath its brilliance lie subtle flavors that add layers of spice to grains and legumes, meats and savory sauces. The subtle but rich aroma that Annatto gives to dishes is irreplaceable.

Annatto seeds are harvested from the small spiky fruit of the Achiote tree, native to tropical regions. They contain carotenoids, which are the main cause of the coloring. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals.

The high level of fiber found in annatto seeds, as well as the edible leaves of the achiote plant, means that it can be very good for digestion, promoting the smooth passage of food through the intestines and the efficient absorption of nutrients.

Benefits of Annatto

Some of the most impressive health benefits of annatto include its ability to strengthen bones, prevent neural tube defects, promote healing, lower fever, improve eye health, relieve headaches, and reduce nausea.

The significant level of calcium in annatto makes it particularly suitable if you want to supplement bone mineral density, as well as ensure strength and endurance as you age. Annatto has an impressive amount of folic acid, and while there are many important benefits of this vitamin, preventing neural tube defects in newborns may be the most important. Pregnant women are encouraged to increase their folic acid levels to prevent these types of conditions. To soothe an upset stomach, you can consume annatto, as it acts as a stomachic, treating heartburn and stomach discomfort.

Annatto contains numerous plant compounds with antioxidant properties, including carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tocotrienols.

Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals that can damage cells.

Research shows that damage caused by high levels of free radicals is linked to chronic conditions such as cancer, brain disease, heart disease and diabetes.

Medicinal action of annatto seeds

Strongly diuretic, soothing and astringent.

How to use Annatto whole seeds

Culinary Uses: Add seeds directly to cooking liquid or add 1 teaspoon to 1/2 cup hot water until desired color is achieved. Discard the seeds and then pour the liquid into broths, rice, bolognese sauces, grains, beans, chicken, fish or turkey. It is usually used to prepare vegetables such as okra, tomatoes, squash, peppers or sweet potatoes.

Another method is to fry about 2 tablespoons of the seeds in 1 cup of oil until the oil turns dark orange/red, then strain the oil mixture into your dish as needed.

The butter forms a soft base to build layers of flavor with the dishes it's put into. You can store the oil in the refrigerator for months - so you will have aromatic annatto at any time.

Tea: Steep one teaspoon of seeds with boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain. It can be used 3 times a day.

Composition

Annatto seeds (Bixa orellana).

Warning
Usually, the use of Annatto has no side effects.

Not to be used by persons allergic to plants of the Bixaceae family.

When used excessively, annatto can cause symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Pregnant or lactating women should not consume it in amounts higher than indicated, as there are not enough studies on its safety on them.

If you experience any unpleasant side effects while consuming this food coloring or products containing it, stop using them immediately and talk to your doctor.