Annatto

Used as a colorant in cheese, shortening, and margarine, annatto comes from the seeds of the tree Bixa orellanna, commonly called the annatto tree. The seeds themselves are called achiote seeds, and the substance called annatto or annatto extract is the coloring agent derived from the seeds. The main component is bizin, known chemically as C₂₅H₃₀0₄. Annatto can be used to produce a tint from light yellow to deep orange. The ground seeds can be purchased as a paste, generally labeled achiote. Annatto was used as a food coloring, primarily for cheeses, as long ago as the 1600s.