annatto

American  

[uh-nat-oh, uh-nah-toh] / əˈnæt oʊ, əˈnɑ toʊ /

Sometimes anatto

noun

plural

annattos

1. Also called lipstick tree.  a small tree, Bixa orellana, of tropical America.

2. Also arnatto a yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulp enclosing the seeds of this tree, used for coloring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc.

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annatto British  

/ əˈnætəʊ /

noun

1. a small tropical American tree, Bixa orellana, having red or pinkish flowers and pulpy seeds that yield a dye: family Bixaceae

2. the yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulpy outer layer of the coat of the seeds of this tree, used for colouring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc

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Etymology

Origin of annatto

Borrowed into English from Carib around 1675–85

Example Sentences

Crafted in the U.K. by a team of “expert cheesemakers,” TJ’s Shropshire Blue English Cheese is made with pasteurized cow’s milk, vegetarian-friendly microbial enzyme and annatto, which gives the cheese a beautiful pale orange color.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2025

They'll also add natural coloring agents such as beetroot, annatto, caramel and vegetable juices that make plant-based alternatives look more like the color of traditional meat.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

Saffron is used now, a welcome change from the annatto that used to dye the rice without adding much flavor.

From New York Times • Apr. 12, 2022

Some use an achiote paste, with ground annatto seeds.

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2021

Smoke rose from the front of the yard, along with the delicious smell of oregano and garlic, rosemary, fennel, toasted annatto.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago