achiote

noun

achi·​o·​te ˌä-chē-ˈō-tē 

: a spice made from the red seed of the annatto tree

also : the seed from which the spice is made

Examples of achiote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The marinade traditionally is a mixture of achiote (an orange-red paste made with ground annatto seeds), citrus juices and a variety of spices. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

Famed chef Jose Andres has brought his flavors to Flushing, orchestrating the Mexican cuisine inside the Dobel Tequila Club with Oyamel by Jose Andres Group, including Oyamel’s Taco Cochinita, made of Yucatan-style pit barbecued port, achiote, Mexican sour orange and pickled red onions. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The best entree is the simplest, fish tacos (+$6), three beauties with achiote and lime-marinated chunks of cobia, packed with red cabbage, pico de gallo and lime aioli. —Constance Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025

At Viva Cincy, the fish is seasoned with achiote adobo, which packs a peppery and musky punch, and is served topped with pickled onions and pico. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from American Spanish, borrowed from Nahuatl āchiotl "annatto tree"

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for achiote

• anecdote
• antidote
• asymptote
• creosote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat