Origin and history
The rocouyer, also known as urucum or achiote, is a small tree native to the tropical regions of South America. Used for thousands of years by Amazonian peoples, it served as a natural dye, sunscreen, and traditional remedy. Amazonian Indians still rub its red paste on their bodies to protect themselves from insects and the sun. Discovered by European explorers in the 16th century, rocouyer quickly spread throughout the world due to its high beta-carotene and antioxidant content.
