Word: annatto
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What's the difference between white cheddar and yellow cheddar? Yellow cheddar has had a natural plant-based coloring added to it called annatto, which comes from a South American plant. It doesn't affect the flavor or texture. It's not a chemical. People's preference for white versus yellow is mostly cultural. Wisconsin is yellow cheddar territory. Vermont is white cheddar. We have some shops out in Ohio, and the idea of selling white cheddar there is crazy. But there is no intrinsic difference...
...Foods groceries are sold say nothing about the food's origin. For instance, in the freezer section you can find Whole Foods' Whole Kitchen brand Breaded Eggplant Slices with Italian Herbs. The box tells you a wealth of information about the eggplant slices--that they contain wheat, dextrose and annatto (a dye); that they can be fried, baked or microwaved; that they have no trans fat; that they are "flavorful" and "versatile." But you don't learn where the eggplant comes from...
...Asians -- are already adding their produce, breads and seasonings to the ever expanding American larder. Pita bread and tacos are now on supermarket shelves alongside English muffins and bagels. Cilantro, jalapeno peppers and mangoes are almost as standard in produce departments as carrots and apples; hoisin sauce and annatto are right there on the shelf with the catsup and mustard...
Extrin is made by Extrin Foods, Inc. of New York City. It is a culture of Lactobacilli* (bulgaricus, acidophilus, moro) and yeast (fragitans), grown in heavy cream and buttermilk, which continue to work in hydrogenated vegetable oils. The culture includes natural annatto extract (for coloring) and salt. Two ounces of Extrin will permeate ten pounds of shortening. Together with two ounces of salt, a quart of water and 3 Ib. of butter, this makes a mixture which can legally be called "butter spread." But even without any butter, Extrinized shortening is almost impossible to tell from the real thing...
...after refining, decolorization and deodorization. Last year, Britain imported $150,000,000 worth of vegetable oils, most of which went to her margarine makers. Imports included cottonseed oil from the U. S., as well as oils from palms, cocoanuts, soya beans, peanuts. The product is colored with the red annatto bean from Asia, and sells for half the price of butter...
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