# Does anyone know what this is? Mexican food, sounds like "Ashoté" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 28, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010 "2012-01-28T19:26:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/1 "2012-01-28T19:26:21Z")
So the other day I was talking to a guy who grew up and spent most of his life in Mexico City. The conversation got around to food, and he was describing popular Mexican dishes. His English was pretty bad, and was using Spanish for the descriptions. Since my Spanish sucks, the conversation was slow, at best. Something he mentioned is very popular is something that sounded like ‘ashote’ or ‘ashoté’. He described it as a seed/grain that is used in a lot of native cooking. I tried to get a better description but the language barrier prevented me from understanding much more than ‘little seeds’. I asked if they were peppers or pepper seeds, and he said no, it was something different. So, anyone know what ‘ashoté’ might be? He did mention (I think) they use it in pork dishes a lot. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/2 "2012-01-28T19:30:02Z")
Achiote, or annatto seeds, are what you are looking for. Used alot in the cooking of the Yucatan. ETA: [This is the achiote paste](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31VD4YNDSAL._AA300_.jpg) you are most likely to find in well-stocked groceries with Hispanic foods. [Here are the ground seeds](http://www.mesamexicanfoods.com/market/images/uploads/Achiote-Molida.jpg). And [here are the whole seeds](http://mllenoelle.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/achiote-package.jpg). It is also used to give foods a yellow/orange color. For example, yellow cheddars use annatto for their coloring. The flavor of the seeds themselves are unique and quite earthy. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/3 "2012-01-28T19:31:38Z")
[Adobo](http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysadobo.html) seasoning (spoken drunkenly or with a lisp)? > [@](#): > > A traditional and popular Mexican spice mix. Not hot, but spicy and rich in flavor, and salt-free. Use ½-1 tsp. per pound and rub on chicken, fish and pork. Great for the grill, just sprinkle fish or meat with a bit of lime juice, rub on Adobo, add salt to taste, then grill (or broil). Add to taco or chili meat or beans for that South-of-the-border flavor, use 1-2 tsp. per pound and fry with the meat before adding to the sauce. Great for easy guacamole, just mix 1 tsp. Adobo Seasoning in 1 TB. water, add to 2 mashed avocados with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a shake of salt and a pinch of hot pepper. Adobo Seasoning is great for perking up low-sodium and low-fat diets, just sprinkle on in place of salt and pepper before cooking. Hand-mixed from: garlic, onion, Tellicherry black pepper, Mexican oregano, cumin and cayenne red pepper. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/4 "2012-01-28T19:34:17Z")
Sounds like he was saying “achiote”–in English we call it annatto: > **[Annatto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annatto)** > > Annatto (/əˈnætoʊ/ or /əˈnɑːtoʊ/) is an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to tropical parts of the Americas. It is often used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods, but sometimes also for its flavor and aroma. Its scent is described as "slightly peppery with a hint of nutmeg" and flavor as "slightly nutty, sweet and peppery". > The color of annatto comes from various carotenoid pigments, mainly bixin and norbixin, foun... [Bixa orellana - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bixa_orellana) (the plant) ---
**Author:** ![turner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/5 "2012-01-28T19:34:46Z")
Possibly cuitlacoche or huitlacoche which is miaze that has been infected with a black fungus. AKA corn mushroom or mexican truffle. Looks nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/6 "2012-01-28T19:42:02Z")
Well, hell. Half an hour with Google didn’t get me jack, but less than 5 minutes on the Dope and I have my answer. Thanks you guys! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/7 "2012-01-28T19:45:52Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > Well, hell. Half an hour with Google didn’t get me jack, but less than 5 minutes on the Dope and I have my answer. Thanks you guys! It’s wonderful on pork, especially in the preparation known as cochinita pibil. [Here’s a recipe](http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/view?recipeID=169). The achiote marinade/paste also works really well on grilled shrimp and chicken. ETA: [Here’s a shrimp recipe.](http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/view?recipeID=11) ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/8 "2012-01-28T20:00:36Z")
P.S. If you care about eating artificial additives and preservatives, you may want to go for the whole achiote seeds (which are normally prepped by infusing in hot oil). Many of the other preparations have MSG, preservatives, etc. P.S. [Here’s a recipe for achiote oil.](http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Annatto-Oil-239996) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/9 "2012-01-28T20:13:15Z")
The El Yucateco brand paste that I normally use only has sodium benzoate as a preservative. It is, however, already flavored with garlic, spices, and so forth, so if you see a recipe asking specifically for achiote seeds, you should use the whole seeds or the powder (depending on what the recipe prep has you do with the achiote.) The commonly found El Mexicano brand is similar, with the addition of FDC #40. I personally have never noticed MSG in the achiote pastes, but I normally only use those two brands. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/10 "2012-01-29T19:16:25Z")
Side note: achiote/annatto is used extensively in Puerto Rican cuisine as a cheap substitute for saffron. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/11 "2012-01-30T02:12:36Z")
> [@Lancia](#): > > Well, hell. Half an hour with Google didn’t get me jack, but less than 5 minutes on the Dope and I have my answer. Thanks you guys! 😉 It helps to know Spanish spelling rules. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/12 "2012-01-30T02:39:22Z")
Achiote is what gives Puerto Rican arroz con pollo it’s distinctive color. It is also used in making [pasteles, a thing that is most delicious ever, ever](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Pasteles.jpg/220px-Pasteles.jpg) and I have no idea how to make. Achiote oil gets spread on the banana leaves and inside with the meat. I’ll tell you the truth, in the US most everybody uses wax paper and not banana leaves. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/13 "2012-01-30T05:00:52Z")
Annato and Annato seed oil is sometimes also used as a relatively tasteless natural food coloring in many industrial food processes. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-what-this-is-mexican-food-sounds-like-ashote/611010/14 "2012-01-30T06:29:41Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > 😉 It helps to know Spanish spelling rules. Working on it, albeit slowly.