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Achiote Seed

Achiote seeds are the hard seeds of the annatto plant, commonly infused or ground for coloring and seasoning.

Achiote Seed — illustrative ingredient image

About Achiote Seed

Achiote seeds are the hard, angular seeds found inside annatto fruit pods and used as a culinary coloring and seasoning. They are commonly steeped in oil, water, or another cooking liquid, or ground before being added to marinades, rice, stews, sauces, and braises.

Whole seeds are typically reddish brown to deep red-orange and have a firm, dry texture. Their flavor is mild, earthy, and slightly peppery. Ground seeds become powdery, while an infusion takes on the texture of its oil or liquid carrier and may have little retained seed material.

Grinding or infusing them releases color more effectively than using them only as a whole garnish. They are sold as whole dried seeds or ground seasoning; toasted, ground, or infused preparation can change their aroma, texture, and distribution through the finished dish.

Ingredient type
seasoning

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Where achiote seed appears

1 linked foods

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Main dishes

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for achiote seed

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

achiote seeds

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Achiote Seed nutrition & diet

Achiote Seed nutritional value

Dried annatto (achiote) seeds — INCAP 10017, semilla de achiote, grano

Per 100 g of the edible dried seeds, per 100 g.

Calories
388kcal
Protein
11.3g
Carbs
74.9g
Fat
5.3g

Whole dried seed reference. These values do not describe annatto extract, infused oil, achiote paste or a seasoning blend. If seeds are removed after infusing oil, do not count the whole seed weight as eaten. Carbohydrate follows the source table total-carbohydrate convention.

Portions & preparation

Use whole achiote seeds for infusion or a clearly identified ground preparation; the hard seeds may not be consumed in the same way as an infused oil or strained liquid. Portion interpretation should distinguish the seeds from the fat or sauce carrying their color and flavor.

Compare the right form: Match references to whole annatto seeds or ground achiote seed, not annatto oil, extract, paste, or a seasoning blend.

Diet considerations

Achiote seed is a plant-derived seasoning. Infusing it in oil adds the characteristics of that oil, while grinding it into a blend may introduce salt, cereal ingredients, or other spices. Review any prepared product and the complete dish for animal additions or coatings that affect compatibility.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    May be compatible
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · May be compatible
May fit a paleo pattern, depending on the cut or form, processing and added ingredients.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: INCAP food composition table — dried achiote seeds (10017) ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .