Healthy Living:The Medicinal and Culinary Use of Spices-Annatto

Annatto is a natural food colorant derived from the seeds of the annatto tree.Annatto is used as a food coloring agent in various food products, including cheese, butter, and margarine.

The coloring properties of annatto are due to the presence of a pigment called bixin, which is a carotenoid. Annatto is often preferred over synthetic food colors because it is derived from a natural source.Apart from its use as a food coloring agent, annatto is also used in traditional medicines to treat various ailments. The seeds are believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are used to treat fever, diarrhea, and other digestive issues