RED ANNATTO SEEDS FOR EXPORT

Annatto Seeds

Annatto is brick-red with a slightly bitter, earthy flavor and imparts a rich yellowish-orange color in Caribbean, Latin American and Filipino cuisines. It has been dubbed the “poor man’s saffron” as the color is similar to the more expensive seasoning. Available whole or ground, the small triangular shaped seeds are used as both a spice and as a natural coloring in butter, rice, smoked fish and cheeses.
Annato is commercially used as food coloring and may be found as the yellow coloring for butter, margarine, chorizo, cheese, smoked fish and other food products.

It is often used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods, but sometimes also for its flavor and aroma. Its scent is described as “slightly peppery with a hint of nutmeg” and flavor as “slightly nutty, sweet and peppery.