Annatto seed powder - seasoning for delicious dishes, Achiote, Annatto Annatto Seeds Powder - Annatto Seeds Powder Bixa orellana Annatto, also known as achiote seed, is a mild spice used in Latin American, Caribbean and Filipino cuisine. It imparts a rich red color to food, making it a great natural food coloring. It has been used for centuries to color cheeses such as Red Leicester or red rice. The taste is a combined mix of sweet, tart and peppery and is wonderful if you want your dish to have a bright and exotic look. But Annatto is more than pretty orange berries. Beneath its brilliance lie subtle flavors that add layers of spice to grains and legumes, meats and savory sauces. The subtle but rich aroma that Annatto gives to dishes is irreplaceable. Annatto seeds are harvested from the small spiky fruit of the Achiote tree, native to tropical regions. They contain carotenoids, which are the main cause of the coloring. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals. The high level of fiber found in annatto seeds, as well as the edible leaves of the achiote plant, means that it can be very good for digestion, promoting smooth passage of food through the intestines and efficient absorption of nutrients. Benefits of Annatto Some of the most impressive health benefits of annatto include its ability to strengthen bones, prevent neural tube defects, promote healing, lower fever, improve eye health, relieve headaches, and reduce nausea. The significant level of calcium in annatto makes it particularly suitable if you want to supplement bone mineral density, as well as ensure strength and endurance as you age. Annatto has an impressive amount of folic acid, and while there are many important benefits of this vitamin, preventing neural tube defects in newborns may be the most important. Pregnant women are encouraged to increase their folic acid levels to prevent these types of conditions. To soothe an upset stomach, you can consume annatto, as it acts as a stomachic, treating heartburn and stomach discomfort. Annatto contains numerous plant compounds with antioxidant properties, including carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tocotrienols. Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals that can damage cells. Research shows that damage caused by high levels of free radicals is linked to chronic conditions, such as , brain disease, heart disease and diabetes. Medicinal action of annatto seeds Strongly diuretic, soothing and astringent. How to use Annatto seed powder Culinary Uses: Add seeds directly to cooking liquid or add 1 teaspoon to 1/2 cup hot water until desired color is achieved. Pour the liquid into broths, rice, bolognese sauces, grains, beans, chicken, fish or turkey. It is usually used to prepare vegetables such as okra, tomatoes, squash, peppers or sweet potatoes. Another method is to fry about 2 tablespoons of the seeds in 1 cup of oil until the oil turns dark orange/red, then strain the oil mixture into your dish as needed. The butter forms a soft base to build layers of flavor with the dishes it's put into. You can store the oil in the refrigerator for months - so you will have aromatic annatto at any time. Tea: 1 teaspoon of powdered seeds is steeped in boiling water for 10 minutes, then strained. It can be used 3 times a day. Composition Annatto ground seeds in powder - Annatto seeds (Bixa orellana). SHIPPING DELIVERY: WARNING: We ship every day Monday - Friday in our timezone GMT+2. All deliveries take place within one working day after received/confirmed payment. All items are located and sent from Bulgaria. We carefully pack all orders and if possible use ecologically environmentally friendly packing. We try to satisfy the demands of all our customers and offer, up to your country, 2 or 3 different shipping options: Economy (slowest/cheapest), Standard (balanced) Express (fastest/most expensive). Please note the estiminated shipping time by country and postal service due our experience below: ECONOMY: Europe: usually 10 - 15 working days. USA, Hong Kong, Singapur, Israel: usually 25 - 30 working days. Australia, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America, Rest of the world: usually 25 - 50 working days STANDARD (Tracked): Europe: usually 5 - 10 working days. USA, Hong Kong, Singapur, Israel: usually 15 - 25 working days. Australia, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America, Rest of the world: usually 20 - 45 working days MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE RETURNS: We hope you will love your purchase, however if you need to return it, our policy lasts 30 days. In case there are any issues, please contact us upfront before leaving a neutral/negative feedback or opening a case. 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