No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveWhat is Achiote and why it's not used only as Colorant in...

What is Achiote and why it’s not used only as Colorant in Costa Rica

ACHIOTE(Bixa orellana), of the Bixaceae family, is also known as annato, bija, onoto and urucú.

Distribution: A native plant found in the warmer regions of the tropical Americas, achiote has been used for centuries by indigenous people as a colorant, condiment and medicine. Today, it is cultivated here as a popular food colorant for rice and vegetables.

Botanical Description: A handsome bush that reaches 5 meters (15 feet) in height and has ovate, heart-like leaves and pink flowers. The unusual seed capsules are covered with soft, red spines and contain numerous seeds with a bright reddish-orange resin.

Medicinal Uses: Although achiote is well known as a dye and food colorant, itis also used medicinally. The leaves are reported to be useful in a tea for the treatment of dandruff and hair loss. The seeds and roots have been used as a treatment for fevers and dysentery and also as an aphrodisiac. The leaves are also used for headaches.

Preparation: The bright reddish-orange res in on the seeds can be prepared by cooking the seeds in hot water to separate the resin from the seeds. Strain the seeds and boil the solution until it becomes a paste. This paste can be used as a food colorant or dye for material. Itis also high in beta-carotene.

The leaves are boiled in water to make a tea for use as a hair rinse to combat dandruff and hair loss. The roots can be dug up, washed and chopped into small pieces, which are boiled in water to make a tea for fevers and diarrhea. It is also said to have a tonic effect on the kidneys and sex glands.

Notes: The seeds are easily germinated in pots or plastic nursery bags filled with average, moist soil. These hardy seedlings can be transplanted in several months to permanent sites around the home to serve as curious ornamentals, which can serve as a fence border and are a useful source of dye, food colorant and medicine.

Trending Now

U.S. – Guatemala Security Pact Targets Crime and Helps Returning Migrants

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem signed a border security cooperation agreement with Guatemala on Thursday, which includes the use of drones and...

Costa Rica Identified as Key Maritime Route for Cocaine Trafficking

Costa Rica appears among the main maritime and aerial routes for cocaine trafficking between South and North America, according to the World Drug Report 2025 published...

Costa Rica and U.S. Strengthen Border Scans and Biometric Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met Wednesday with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss security and migration, following her offer in Costa...

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica