About this Produce
Annatto Seeds (Bixa orellana) is one among the natural dyes. It appears to be the only one which has great economic and commercial importance. Annato dye is a non-toxic natural product, used as colouring agent for various food products. It was also used for colouring silk and cotton. Due to increased demand for natural colour dye, the cultivation of Annato has gained prominence in recent years. The color of annatto comes from various carotenoid pigments, mainly bixin and norbixin, found in the reddish waxy coating of the seeds. Additionally, annatto is used as a condiment to enhance the flavor of dishes due to its slightly sweet and peppery taste. Its aroma is best described as nutty, peppery, and floral. It comes in several forms, including powder, paste, liquid, and as an essential oil.
Annatto seeds have a huge demand across the world as they are natural colour agents and are considered to be non-carcinogenic.
Besides wild turmeric and coffee, Annatto is the most common backyard plant in Chintapalli area, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the Eastern Ghats. Besides lipstick, the plant’s seed extract is used as a natural colouring agent in cheese, food preparations, bakery products and sweets across the world.
