Annatto Seed

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Price range: $2.37 through $17.61

SKU: 17672 Categories: Additives, Exfoliants, Herbs and Botanicals, Personal Care

Originating from the lush regions of Central and South America, annatto is a vibrant evergreen shrub known for its pods filled with vivid orange-red seeds. These seeds, celebrated for their subtle floral scent and rich, earthy taste, are the source of our organic annatto seed powder, meticulously ground from Bixa orellana seeds. Traditionally, these seeds have been blended with other spices to create unique seasoning mixes, and they continue to play a crucial role as a natural coloring agent in both culinary and cosmetic products.

Annatto, an herb native to South and Central America, yields small, dark red seeds characterized by a gentle, flowery aroma. The tree was introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonization. In a historical twist, the Spanish explorer Gonzalo Pizarro, initially seeking the mythical cinnamon groves in the Amazon basin in 1540, instead discovered the valuable annatto seeds, which became his unexpected bounty upon navigating the treacherous Amazon.

The seeds’ striking red hue is attributed to bixin found in their coating. Rich in carotenoids, similar to alpha- and beta-carotene, annatto has a long history of use as a preservative in food. Today, annatto seed powder is widely utilized in seasoning blends, cosmetic products, and as a natural food coloring. It’s also known by other names, including achiote and lipstick tree, reflecting its diverse applications and cultural significance.

Key Features: Annatto Seed Powder

In cosmetics, annatto seed is used as a natural pigment in blush powder, as well as in soaps and lotions.
It can add a warm, golden hue to these products, and is often used in natural and organic formulations.
Known for antioxidant properties, and some anti-inflammatory benefits
It is often used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions, digestive issues, and infections.
Natural ingredient
Excellent choice for natural alternatives to synthetic colorants and additives in their cosmetics and personal care products.