Achiote Paste

One of my favorite experiences was visiting a family who was making achiote paste from the achiote seeds. Here in Mexico you will see these small red blocks of paste wrapped in plastic in the grocery store....I have always wondered how it was made.......it is used in soups and as a rub on pork or meat.
First the seeds have to be opened and the bright red pulp taken out. The grandfather was in charge of that task as his son had picked sacks of them from the achiote tree earlier in the day.
Once the pulp is removed, it is crushed, squeezed and strained, the liquid is then cooked all day over a fire. The chickens will get the seeds and skins after they have been crushed.

The fire is inside the house and the grandmother is in charge of that duty. The houses are simple without electricity or running water.She keeps the small fire stoked and stirs the large pot occasionaly to keep it from sticking...it must evaporate down to a thick paste. If you will notice the fire is built on an elevated wooden box filled with earth....it is called a fogon....and is very common in this part of Mexico...that way you can stand up and cook and don't have to bend over. The family also served us a delicious meal of chicken and tortillas as we sat around and talked about how we were going to make soap the next day.