Annatto (roucou and urucu in the language of indigenous people of South America – often attributed to Tupi where it’s meaning is ‘red colour’) is the name given to the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), now grown worldwide, though thought to originate in South and Central America. The waxy arils that cover each seed within the pod are extracted for their red-orange pigment that are commonly used as a condiment and food colouring. Originally, the indigenous people of the Americas and Caribbean used the dye as a body paint.

The small tree in my garden is now covered in bright red seed pods that are ready for picking. I’m going to use the annatto in cooking but I also want to experiment and try to make a watercolour paint from it.

Postscript

Here’s my effort at making watercolour paint. I blended crushed seeds with a mixture of gum Arabic and honey. I’m calling the colour urucu.