Annatto Seed Extract is a concentrated natural dye made from the seeds of Bixa orellana, also known as Achiote. This vibrant plant-based dye produces beautiful warm golden yellow, orange and pumpkin-orange shades on natural fibres.

Annatto is particularly popular for its bright, sunny colours and is a wonderful choice for creating warm, glowing shades on silk, wool, cotton and other natural fibres. The extract is more concentrated than Annatto seed or raw plant matter, so a smaller quantity is required to achieve a good depth of colour.

A versatile addition to any natural dyer's collection, Annatto Seed Extract can be used on its own or combined with other natural dyes to create variations in colour and depth. 

Please note - we will be updating our dye tests photo for this product. Similar dye colouring examples of this product can be found on the Annatto Powder Raw product page.

Key Features

• Concentrated natural dye extracted from Annatto seeds
• Botanical name: Bixa orellana
• Also known as Achiote
• Produces vibrant golden yellow, orange and warm pumpkin-orange shades
• More concentrated than raw Annatto seed or plant matter
• Requires a lower WOF (weight of fibre) than raw Annatto material
• Suitable for silk, wool, cotton and other natural fibres
• Excellent for creating bright, warm and uplifting colourways
• Ideal for over-dyeing and combining with other natural dyes
• A convenient choice when a concentrated natural dye is preferred

Dyeing with Annatto Seed Extract

Annatto Seed Extract is simple to incorporate into a natural dyebath. Because it is a concentrated extract, only a relatively small amount is required compared with raw Annatto seed material.

For a medium depth of shade, start with approximately 5–8% WOF (weight of fibre) and adjust according to the desired depth and the fibre being dyed. A smaller quantity will produce lighter, softer shades, while a higher concentration can produce stronger golden and orange tones.

Dissolve or disperse the required amount of extract thoroughly before adding it to the dyebath. As with all natural dyes, the final colour will vary depending on the fibre, water quality, dye concentration, temperature and dyeing method.

Colour Range

Annatto is particularly well known for its warm, glowing colours and can produce:

• Soft golden yellow
• Bright golden yellow
• Warm orange
• Pumpkin orange
• Rich yellow-orange
• Deeper orange and coral tones when combined with other dyes

The resulting colour can vary considerably between different fibres. Experimenting with mordants, dye concentrations and overdyeing can create an even broader range of shades.

Perfect For

• Creating bright golden yellows on silk, wool, cotton and natural yarns
• Creating warm orange and pumpkin-orange shades
• Over-dyeing to add warmth and vibrancy to other colours
• Combining with other natural dyes to create new colourways
• Small-batch dyeing and textile projects
• Natural dyeing, fibre arts and handmade textiles

Annatto Seed Extract is a lovely choice when you want warm, sunny colour from a plant-based natural dye, with the convenience of a concentrated extract.

Botanical Name: Bixa orellana
Common Names: Annatto, Achiote
WOF: Weight of Fibre

Please Note: Natural dye colours can vary according to fibre type, mordant, water quality, dye concentration and dyeing conditions. We recommend carrying out a small test before dyeing larger quantities.

For textile and craft use only. Not intended for consumption.