a dye of reddish yellow made from the pulp around the seeds of a tropical dicotyledonous tree (Bixa orellana, family Bixaceae): it is used for coloring butter, cheese, varnishes, etc.
Origin of annattoof West Indian origin, originally
nounpl. an·nat·tos also a·nat·tos
- A tropical American evergreen shrub or small tree (Bixa orellana), having heart-shaped leaves and showy, rose-pink or sometimes white flowers.
- The seed of this plant, used as a coloring and sometimes as a flavoring, especially in Latin American cuisine.
- A yellowish-red dyestuff obtained from the arils of this plant's seeds, used especially to dye fabric and to color food products such as margarine and cheese. In all senses also called achiote.
Origin of annattoOf Cariban origin.