Achiote paste is an essential part of Mexican cuisine and others throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Made from the ground seeds of the achiote tree (also called annatto), this deep orange paste is used to add color, but also savory flavor to all kinds of dishes, from tamales to grilled meat. This version from El Sabor de Oaxaca is filled with a deep savoriness, redolent of chili-like smokiness and savory spices. It has a noticeable pepperiness and a touch of acid, pureeing beautifully into a sauce and dissolving easily into boiling water to make rice.
We test everything we sell. Here’s how we’d use this.
Use to color rice dishes or add into marinades, moles or brush on top of grilled meats or fish. We especially like it in these Instant Pot Cochinita Pibil Tacos and Chili and Citrus–Marinated Fish Tacos.