1. A tropical American shrub or small tree (Bixa orellana) that produces seeds used to make a reddish-yellow dye or food coloring.
Usage: Also called annatto or achiote; The seeds are commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine
2. The reddish-yellow dye or food coloring extracted from the seeds of this plant.
Usage: Used as a natural food coloring in cheese, butter, and other products

Examples

• The arnattos plant thrives in tropical climates throughout Central and South America.
• Cheddar cheese often gets its orange color from arnattos.
• Traditional Caribbean recipes call for arnattos to season rice and beans.
• The dye from arnattos has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples.
• Many food manufacturers prefer arnattos as a natural alternative to synthetic colorings.
• The seeds of the arnattos tree are small and covered in a bright red pulp.