[Aztlan] Achiote

[nhopkins at mailer.fsu.edu]

Two comments:  First, the quote says it's CAL (i.e., lime), not 
achiote, that's used to kick up the coca, like it's used in Chiapas 
with the tobacco that is chewed.  It helps release the alcaloids.   
Second, achiote is used as a pigment, as the quote says, and it is also 
used as a body pigment, which (IMHO) is why we have RED INDIANS; the 
Caribbean Indians were using it as a body paint; it's also said to be 
an insect repellent.

Nick Hopkins

----------------------------------------------------------------