CultureJuly 16, 2026
achiot
/əˈtʃi.oʊ.teɪ/
Definition
A reddish-orange spice or food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, frequently used to flavor and color marinades for meats.
Etymology
The word comes from the Classical Nahuatl word 'achiotl,' referring to the shrub or the paste made from its seeds. It was adopted into Spanish and subsequently entered English to describe both the plant and the resulting culinary ingredient.
In the news
The article mentions 'achiote-marinated specialties' as a key feature of the Southern Mexican and Yucatán Peninsula culinary region, highlighting a traditional flavoring technique.
America's Best Mexican Food Festival Returns to Tucson Aug. 8
Read the full article ↗Tucson Foodie