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Achiote Paste

Information for Achiote Paste

Achiote paste, familiar in Mexican as recado rojo, brings a distinctive taste and color to the Yucatan cuisine of Mexico. The rich, deep-red paste is also an ingredient in dishes and marinades found in Cuban and Central American cuisines.

The paste contains annatto seeds that give the seasoning its scarlet color. The other ingredients that make an authentic Achiote paste include cumin, cloves, allspice, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and Mexican oregano.

The distinctive red tinge of the Achiote paste goes well with most meat dishes. The paste is great as a rub on chicken, beef, pork, lamb, fish or other seafood. Sometimes, Achiote paste is blended with vinegar, lime extract or orange juice. Creating a colorful appeal to a variety of recipes, the paste also imparts that unique burst of bittersweet, sharp, sour, and salty combination of flavors.



Photo Credit: paul goyette