Achiote Paste

Achiote paste is a brick-red spice paste made from ground annatto seeds blended with spices, acid, and salt. It has an earthy, slightly bitter, citrus-leaning flavor and a dense, compact texture; it dissolves into citrus juice, vinegar, or oil for marinades and rubs, and is used to color rice, stews, and grilled meats. Sold in compact blocks or jars.

The paste traces to the Yucatán and broader Mesoamerica, where achiote has long flavored Mayan and regional Mexican cuisines, and it spread through Central America and the Caribbean. Traditional versions grind annatto seeds with spices and sour orange or vinegar, a method echoed in commercial production today.