ANNATTO SEEDS

The annatto Bixa Orellana is a small tree native to Mexico and Central America. The Spaniards found the Aztecs using it and its use spread to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was used for dyeing many different materials. It is fugitive when used alone but less so when combined with other dyes or used in a varnish. It yields golds and oranges with alum, chrome or tin mordants.