Annatto
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Annatto.png Annatto is a derivative of the achiote trees of tropical regions of the Americas, used to produce a red food coloring.
Annatto is produced from the reddish pulp which surrounds the seed of the achiote (Bixa orellana L.). It is used in cheese (including Cheddar), margarine, butter, rice, smoked fish and custard powder.
Annatto is commonly found in Latin America and Caribbean cuisines as both a coloring agent and for flavoring. Central and South American Indians used the seeds to make a body paint, and as a lipstick. For this reason, the achiote is sometimes called the lipstick-tree.
In Venezuela, annatto (called locally 'onoto') is used in the preparation of hallacas, perico, and other traditional dishes.
As a food additive, annatto has the E number E160b.