Annato coloring: useful properties and harm
Exotic dye annato, in the industryknown as the food additive E160b, is a natural natural ingredient. Even without realizing it, people eat food every day with its contents. What is its harm and is there any benefit from it?
Tropical bicha scrub
Annato is obtained from the seeds of a tropical plantbeax of the oreall. This is a bush bush family with large bright leaves and pink flowers with many stamens. It blossoms only one day, after which a fruit is formed - a bright red box with seeds.
After maturation, the capsule is opened,throwing seeds for sowing. The native land of the plant is South America, and it received its name by the name of the traveler who opened the Amazon - Francisco de Orellana. Now the plant is cultivated in many countries of Asia, Africa, in the tropical climate.
Usage history
Even in times of ancient Indian tribes, seedsbegan to be used as a paint. The Indians painted themselves a war paint to intimidate the enemy from another tribe, as well as to protect themselves from insects and sunlight. It is not for nothing that the bixa of the orejane has several names, and one of them is a fondant tree. Since ancient times, all parts of the plant have been used. Native Americans used seeds not only as a paint. Their antibacterial effect was widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases and poisonings. Flower petals were treated with a headache. Leaves helped with burns, skin inflammation, disinfected wounds. You can not use only the root of the bush, it is considered poisonous.
In the 17th century, annato seeds were brought to Europe, andSince then they are used as a food color. Now it is added to food production in the countries of America, Asia, Europe, and also in Russia.
Colorants
The red seeds of the plant subsequently becomeraw material for extraction of extract. From it, and turns out natural dye annato. Its color varies from yellow to orange, but under the influence of high temperatures it can give both pink and red shades. This is its property to change color when changing the temperature is very convenient and often used in industry.
What determines the coloring properties of plants? This content in it of pigments of two types - bixin and norbixin. Bixin is a fat-soluble pigment, is produced in liquid form and is used in the dairy industry. Norbixin dissolves in water and has the form of a powder. Applied it as in the food industry - in the manufacture of beverages, bread, and in other industries: the production of textiles, cosmetics, medicines.
Annato in Cheese Making
The most common use of annato isproduction of cheeses. It is he who gives such an appetizing yellow color. The dye for annato cheese is added to the milk at an early stage of cooking. This gives the right color to the future cheese. This is especially true in the winter, when cows receive an insufficient amount of fresh vegetable feed. That leads to a decrease in the pigment content in milk and affects the color of the cheese - without the dye it would be an unusual pale color.
Than it is convenient annatto in the preparation of cheese - it is notchanges color during the entire time of its maturation. The dosage depends on the sort of cheese, because some must have a saturated orange color, for example cheddar. On average, add 1-2 drops per liter of milk. In addition to economical use, there is still a huge plus for production - it increases the shelf life of the product, and not only cheese, due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In addition, it gives the product a specific taste, reminiscent of nutmeg.
Other applications
Annato dye is widely used forcooking dairy products - yogurt, butter, margarine. In the dairy industry, bixin is used in liquid form, a fat-soluble form. Can be used for making ice cream, coloring creams for confectionery, giving color to dairy desserts - puddings, soufflé. Use it in baking. Its scope includes the production of alcoholic beverages. Some of them require a bright saturated color, for example, liqueurs, with which the dye is easy to handle. Here, Norbixin is used - a water-soluble pigment in the form of a powder.
E160b is used not only in foodindustry. They paint fabrics, such as silk, cotton, wool. Used in pharmaceuticals to give color to tablets and ointments. And even some cosmetics can contain in their composition annatto, for example, lipstick or blush.
Annato in Cooking
In many countries of Asia, the food color of annatoused for cooking fish and smoked meat, mainly pork or poultry. In addition to the attractive color, it also performs the role of spice and preservative. With it make marinades for meat, sauces, add to rice, beans, dishes from vegetables: tomatoes, pepper. It is similar in its properties with seasoning curcumin, which is especially often used in the eastern kitchen. Therefore, in any dishes in which it is used, it can be replaced with an annato dye. Curcumin - seasoning with a bright yellow saturated color, it is obtained by extracting the extract from the root of turmeric.
Annato seeds are used in a crushed form inquality of seasoning. You can also insist them in hot water, and the resulting infusion tint food during cooking, for example rice. Another way to use it is to fry the seeds in vegetable oil, then remove them from the frying pan, and continue to prepare the dish on the oil.
Useful dye
Annato is known as "Food colorE160b ", which does not inspire confidence in most consumers, but this is completely in vain. Annato dye is a completely natural product. It contains substances similar to vitamin E in its effect on the human body - carotenoids. This is primarily expressed in the antioxidant properties of annatto, neutralizing the oxidation processes, which favorably affects the skin condition.
Is there any harm from annato?
The Annatto E160b colorant is safefood additive. It is approved for use in Russia and many other countries in Europe, Asia and America. But still, in view of the distrust in the society about the additives with the index E, the consumer asks the question about what an annato dye is, whether it is harmful. The only contraindication to the use of this substance is hypersensitivity to the constituents of the dye. It can cause an allergic reaction in people who are prone to such ailment. But this is extremely rare cases, so we can say that the annato dye does not harm.
