ABSTRACT
L.) is cultivated in many tropical countries in Asia. The fruits inside are generally found in cavities containing 10 to 50 small seeds, about the size of grape seeds. The seeds are covered with a thin, highly colored, orange to red resinous layer from which the natural color is obtained. The main application of annatto fruits is for coloring cheese and other dairy products such as ice cream, butter mixes, yogurt, meat (sausages), fish margarine, snacks, dressings, sauces, and confectionery. Among the naturally occurring colorants, annatto colorant ranks second in economic importance after caramel.
