2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
The exotic annatto dye, known in the industry as food additive E160b, is a natural ingredient. Without even knowing it, people eat foods containing it every day. What is its harm and is there any benefit from it?
Tropical bush bixa orellana
Annato is obtained from the seeds of the tropical bixa orellana plant. This is a shrub of the bix family with large bright leaves and pink flowers with many stamens. It blooms for only one day, after which the fruit is formed - a bright red box with seeds.
After ripening, the box opens, throwing out seeds for sowing. The homeland of the plant is South America, and it got its name by the name of the traveler who discovered the Amazon - Francisco de Orellana. Now the plant is cultivated in many countries of Asia, Africa, in areas of tropical climate.
Usage history
Even in the days of the ancient Indian tribes, seeds began to be used as paint. The Indians painted themselves with war paint to intimidate the enemy from another tribe, as well as to protect againstinsects and sunlight. No wonder bixa orellana has several names, and one of them is fondant tree. Since ancient times, all parts of the plant have been used. The native inhabitants of the American continent used the seeds not only as a paint. Their antibacterial effect was widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases and poisonings. Flower petals were used to treat headaches. Leaves helped from burns, skin inflammations, disinfected wounds. You can not use only the root of the bush, it is considered poisonous.
In the 17th century, annatto seeds were brought to Europe and have been used as food coloring ever since. Now it is added during production to food products in America, Asia, Europe, as well as in Russia.
Colorants
The red seeds of the plant subsequently become the raw material for the extraction of the extract. From it, the natural dye annatto is obtained. Its color varies from yellow to orange, but under the influence of high temperatures it can give both pink and red hues. This property of changing color with temperature changes is very convenient and is often used in industry.
What causes the coloring properties of the plant? This is the content of two types of pigments in it - bixin and norbixin. Bixin is a fat-soluble pigment produced in liquid form and used in the dairy industry. Norbixin dissolves in water and is in the form of a powder. It is used both in the food industry - in the manufacturedrinks, bread, and in other industries: the production of fabrics, cosmetics, medicines.
Annato in cheese making
The most common use of annatto is in the production of cheese. It is he who gives such an appetizing yellow color. Annatto cheese coloring is added to milk at an early stage of preparation. This gives the desired color to the future cheese. This is especially true in winter, when cows receive an insufficient amount of fresh vegetable feed. Which leads to a decrease in the content of pigments in milk and affects the color of the cheese - without the dye, it would be an unusual pale color.
What is convenient for annatto in making cheese - it does not change color during the entire time of its ripening. The dosage depends on the type of cheese, because some should have a rich orange color, such as cheddar. On average, add 1-2 drops per liter of milk. In addition to economical use, there is another huge plus for production - it increases the shelf life of the product, and not only cheese, due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In addition, it gives the product a specific taste reminiscent of nutmeg.
Other applications
Annato dye is widely used for making dairy products - yogurt, butter, margarine. In the dairy industry, bixin is used in liquid form - a fat-soluble form. It can be used for making ice cream, coloring creams for confectionery products, giving color to dairy desserts - puddings, soufflés. It is also used inbakery business. Its scope also includes the production of alcoholic beverages. Some of them require a bright saturated color, such as liqueurs, which the dye can easily cope with. Norbixin is already used here - a water-soluble pigment in powder form.
E160b is used not only in the food industry. They dye fabrics such as silk, cotton, wool. Used in pharmaceuticals to color tablets and ointments. And even some beauty products can contain annatto, like lipstick or blush.
Annato in cooking
In many Asian countries, annatto food coloring is used to cook fish and smoked meat, mainly pork or poultry. In addition to its attractive color, it also serves as a spice and preservative. They make meat marinades, sauces with it, add it to rice, beans, vegetable dishes: tomatoes, peppers. It is similar in its properties to curcumin seasoning, which is especially often used in oriental cuisine. Therefore, in any dishes in which it is used, it can be replaced with annatto dye. Curcumin is a seasoning with a bright yellow saturated color, it is obtained by isolating an extract from the root of turmeric.
Annatto seeds are used in crushed form as a condiment. You can also infuse them in hot water, and use the resulting infusion to color food during cooking, such as rice. Another way to use is to fry the seeds in vegetable oil, then remove them from the pan, andcontinue to cook the dish in tinted butter.
Useful dye
Annato is known under the name "E160b Food Color", which is not credible by most consumers, but it is completely in vain. Annatto dye is a completely natural product. It contains substances similar to vitamin E in their effect on the human body - carotenoids. This is primarily expressed in the antioxidant properties of annatto, which neutralize oxidation processes, which favorably affects the condition of the skin.
Annato is quite high in calories, but since its content in products is negligible, this should not be a cause for concern. In addition to providing a bright color and savory flavor to foods, annatto has a number of he alth benefits. In some countries, it is used in the treatment of diseases of the stomach, kidneys, infectious diseases, treat smallpox, measles, vomiting, diarrhea. Used as a diuretic. Treat prostatitis, viral and fungal infections in the genital area. Helps with headaches, feverish conditions, angina pectoris, conjunctivitis. This is all due to its antibacterial properties. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect in rheumatism.
Is Annatto harmful?
Annato dye E160b is a safe food supplement. It is approved for use in Russia and many other countries in Europe, Asia and America. But still, in view of the mistrust that has developed in society towards additives with the E index, the consumer is wondering what annatto dye is, is it harmful. The only thinga contraindication to the use of this substance is hypersensitivity to the components of the dye. It can cause an allergic reaction in affected people. But these are extremely rare cases, so we can say that the annatto dye does no harm.
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