What is amaranth?

Amaranth is a herbal plant that has been used in other countries for many years and has been in the US in recent years has caused significant nutritional content and can be used in many tasty recipes instead of wheat or other grains. This plant can grow up to 7 feet tall (about 2.1 meters), although most plants are 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) or less. It has wide leaves and floral head with small seeds. The leaves come in many colors, including white, green, orange, pink and red.

Amaranth plant can produce anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 seeds. It's remarkably adaptive. Each of the 60 species is able to withstand extreme temperatures and environmental conditions. It has a relatively high concentration of other vitamins, including magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese and almost complete sets of amino acids that you will not find in many other grains. They are also a good source of nutrition, with a high concentration of vitamins A, B6 and C; riboflavin; and folate. Minerals found in vegetables include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese.

One of the first known references to amaranth is in the descriptions of the diet of the Aztec nations who used the plant as part of their ceremonies of human sacrifice, and the Incas who used it as a food terminal. Since the conquest of the Spanish conquerors banned amaranth, the use of the plant dropped sharply and remained low for many years. However, the plant has survived in indigenous cultures and its use continues to grow.

In today's cultures, Peruvians use amaranth to produce beer and to treat teeth and fever pain; They also use it as a food color for quinoa and corn. Mexican people use a plant in a traditional drink called Atole . Vdian people use it to produce Laddoo , which is similar to atole. Nepalese people crush the seeds to make porridge called sattoo .

Farmers in several American states now grow this plant but on hlThe avid markets are still not found. In many parts of the US, however, you can find it in natural food stores. Amaranth of gluten -free amaranth is often used in flour and in such flour -based goods such as breads, pancakes and pasta. In Mexico, it is also mixed with chocolate or inflated rice, which is sold as refreshments.