Achiote

Description:

Achiote (Bixa orellana) is a shrub or small tree from the tropical region of the Americas. It is best known as the source of the natural pigment annatto, produced from the fruit. The plant bears pink flowers and bright red spiny fruits which contain red seeds. The fruits dry and harden to brown capsules. While it has a distinct flavor of its own, it can be used to color and flavor rice instead of the much more expensive saffron. It is an important ingredient of cochinita pibil, the spicy pork dish popular in Mexico. It is also a key ingredient in the drink tascalate from Chiapas, Mexico. It is used as a colorant and condiment for traditional dishes such as cochinita pibil, rice, chicken in achiote and caldo de olla. It is also used to add color to butter, cheese, popcorn, drinks, and breads.

Habitat:

The main achiote growers are Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru , Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. It is cultivated there and in Southeast Asia, where it was introduced by the Spanish in the 17th century.

Notes:

It gives a very tasty flavor to meats in mexican dishes! cochinita or pollo pibil, for example.