Achiote

How to sow achiote: Direct seed or cuttings

Achiote is a shrub or small tree originally from the tropical region of the Americas. It's waxy seed coverings (known as arils) are used to make annatto, a natural orange-red condiment that is used to color and lightly season food. The ground seeds are used in Central and South American, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines. The plant bears clusters of bright white to pink flowers at the tips of the branches. The red-brown seed pods are covered in soft spines and each pod contains many seeds covered in thin waxy red arils.