Coloring
Annatto is the common name for the colorant derived from the seeds of the annatto tree, Bixa orellana. A member of the family Bixaceae, Bixa orellana is native to the American tropics, but has been spread by cultivation to other tropical areas.
Annatto has been used as a colorant for foods, cosmetics, medicinal products and textiles. For the past 100 years in Europe and North America, it has been used to color butter, fats and cheese. Today, annatto is used in many food products in addition to dairy products.
