What is amaranth and what does it taste like?
In terms of taste, you can compare Amaranth to a cross between brown rice and wheat berries or whole wheat. In terms of appearance, they resemble sesame seeds when raw. When cooked, however, it becomes glossy and resembles caviar. As a whole, Amaranth is quite versatile and has a unique flavor.
What is amaranth. benefits, nutrition and uses?
Top 9 Benefits of Amaranth
- High Source of Protein. The protein contained in amaranth is of an unusually high quality, providing nine grams for one cup of cooked grain.
- Reduces Inflammation. Amaranth has the power to reduce inflammation, which is associated with just about every health condition.
- Supports Bone Health. ...
- Helps Lower Cholesterol. ...
- Aids Digestive System. ...
What can I do with amaranth?
Serve amaranth instead of rice.
- Use 2.5 to 3 cups of water to 1 cup of amaranth.
- Simmer it in a covered pan for approximately 20 minutes.
- All the water should absorb and the grains should be fluffy when finished.
- You can also toast the amaranth in butter and add some of it into a rice pilaf with rice and other grains.
How to grow and care for Amaranth?
- First, empty your seed packet and soak the seeds in a shallow bowl overnight. ...
- Get a seed starter tray with a plastic cover to trap humidity. ...
- Fill each compartment with some potting mix. ...
- Take your seeds and put 5 into each compartment. ...
- Besides, if two or more sprout per compartment, that’s fine. ...
- Backfill with a thin layer of soil. ...
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How is amaranth flour made?
Amaranth flour is made by grinding the seeds of the amaranth plant into a fine powder. As a gluten free flour, amaranth can be used in a wide variety of different applications. It is particularly suitable for making unleavened flatbreads like tortillas in Mexican cuisine or chapatis in Indian cuisine.
Why was amaranth outlawed?
Since 1976 Amaranth dye has been banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a suspected carcinogen. Its use is still legal in some countries, notably in the United Kingdom where it is most commonly used to give glacé cherries their distinctive color.
Is amaranth inflammatory?
Several studies have found that amaranth could have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body.
What is amaranth flour good for?
The nutrients in amaranth can offer significant health benefits as a part of a healthy diet. It's a source of vitamin C, which is vital to the body's healing process because it helps process iron, form blood vessels, repair muscle tissue, and maintain collagen.
Is amaranth toxic?
Avoid eating too much amaranth from agricultural fields. The leaves (like those of spinach, sorrel and many other greens) also contain oxalic acid, which can be poisonous to livestock or to humans with kidney issues of eaten in large amounts.
Is amaranth hard to digest?
Amaranth can be used in place of any grain. It adds a nuttiness to recipes and works to thicken dishes too. Sprouting amaranth makes it easier to digest and increases nutrient absorption. It also helps to break down gluten and may increase digestive enzymes.
What are the side effects of amaranth?
Side-Effects & Allergies of Amaranth Grain For people with intolerance to lysinuric protein, eating amaranth may cause diarrhoea and stomach pain. Moreover, another side effect of lysine increase body's calcium absorption, and bring free, damage-causing amount of calcium in the body.
Should I rinse amaranth before cooking?
Does the amaranth have to be rinsed? BEST ANSWER: You can rinse the Amaranth if you prefer, but it is not required. The grains are very small so you may need to use cheesecloth or similar to drain. We hope you enjoy the amaranth if you try it!
Is amaranth good for arthritis?
Amaranth also contains an oil that greatly improves immunity, making it excellent for children suffering from allergies – especially wheat allergies. 6. Because its alkaline value is greater than most other grains, it is good for people with inflammations such as rheumatoid arthritis and skin disorders.
Does amaranth flour cause gas?
Today, we know that amaranth is everything but evil: it is highly nutritious, and due to its high digestibility score, it is one of the least gas-forming grains there is.
Is amaranth good for diabetics?
Amaranth is a nutritious grain with an array of benefits for diabetics. Amaranth is rich in protein, fibre and other vital micronutrients. Apart from amaranth, other grains that are good for diabetics include millets, brown rice, quinoa and kamut.
Is amaranth flour better than wheat flour?
High Fiber, Lower Carbs Compared to 1 cup of wheat flour, however, amaranth has more grams of fiber—18 grams compared to 13. In addition, amaranth has more fiber than other gluten-free grains, such as buckwheat and millet where each contains 17 grams. In comparison, white flour contains 3.4 grams of fiber.
How is amaranth a carcinogen?
Amaranth contains a bioactive peptide, lunasin, which is important in reducing the growth of cancerous cells. Lunasin in amaranth however, penetrates the nucleus of cancer cell more rapidly than lunasin from other plant such as Soy Beans.
Is amaranth grain safe to eat?
and Warnings. When taken by mouth: The seed, oil, and leaves of amaranth are LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts. Taking amaranth as a medicine is POSSIBLY SAFE when used for 3 weeks or less.
Why is amaranth called pigweed?
Today amaranth can be found almost everywhere from central Canada to Argentina (Sauer 1950b). Their common name, pigweed, may have comes from its use as fodder for pigs. Pigweed plants are commonly considered to be weeds by farmers and gardeners because they thrive in disturbed soils.
Is amaranth an invasive plant?
Amaranthus palmeri is an annual herbaceous plant that is spreading rapidly beyond its native range in North America. It is considered the most invasive species of the dioecious amaranths and is ranked as one of the most troublesome weeds of various crops in the United States.
Why is amaranth called amaranth?
Amaranth’s name comes from the Greek for “immortal” or “everlasting.” Despite its many health benefits, amaranth makes no claim to endow its users with immortality but is so-named because its seed is virtually indestructible. Amaranth species cultivated for use as grain belong to the pigweed family, according to a profile of the plant from Kansas State University’s Cooperative Extension Service. Grain amaranth species include Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus. Bushy with thick stalks, amaranth plants reach a maximum height of 3 to 9 feet. The seeds from which amaranth flour is milled come in various colors, including gold, tan, pink and white, depending on the species of grain amaranth that is used.
What is amaranth flour?
Amaranth flour is a gluten-free, protein-rich flour widely used by the Aztec and Inca civilizations of the pre-Columbian Americas. It is produced by grinding seeds from the amaranth plant into a fine powder. Although technically not a grain, amaranth yields a buff-colored, ...
How tall does amaranth grow?
cruentus and A. hypochondriacus. Bushy with thick stalks, amaranth plants reach a maximum height of 3 to 9 feet. The seeds from which amaranth flour is milled come in various colors, including gold, tan, pink and white, depending on the species of grain amaranth that is used.
Is amaranth seed good for rats?
In an article in a 2009 issue of “Plant Foods for Human Nutrition,” researchers said their findings confirm that amaranth seed is a good source of phenols that show a protective effect on the blood and livers of rats exposed to ethanol. av-override. ‒‒:‒‒.
Can you use amaranth flour with other flours?
Individuals who experience allergic reactions to foods containing gluten can avoid or minimize these unpleasant symptoms by using amaranth flour in combination with other flours that are either gluten-free or extremely low in gluten content. Gluten is a protein composite found in many foods made from wheat and certain other grains. Susan O’Brien, author of “Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Cooking,” recommends using amaranth flour by itself for thickening sauces or breading. For baked goods, she suggests using amaranth flour to make up 25 percent of the total flour content in recipes, combining it with other gluten-free flours such as quinoa and brown rice flours.
Is amaranth flour a good source of protein?
Considered a pseudocereal unrelated to wheat or other true grains, amaranth not only delivers high-quality protein -- roughly 17 percent by weight -- but also contains plenty of other healthful nutrients. Its high levels of the amino acid lysine help your body to properly absorb calcium from the digestive tract. For those interested in increasing their calcium intake, amaranth flour also has twice as much calcium -- ounce for ounce -- as cow’s milk, according to “The Thrive Diet.” Amaranth flour is also rich in fatty acids and includes tocotrienol, a potent form of vitamin E. Amaranth flour has roughly five times the iron and three times the fiber of wheat flour. It’s also rich in other micronutrients, including potassium, phosphorus and, vitamins A and C.
Is amaranth flour a grain?
Although technically not a grain, amaranth yields a buff-colored, grain-like flour that is variously described as nutty, earthy and grassy. Amaranth flour’s protein gets high marks for quality because of its rich content of the amino acids lysine and methionine.
What was the Aztec name for flour?
Its name in the Aztec language Nahuatl was huauhtli . Among the Aztecs, amaranth flour was used to make baked images of their patron deity, Huitzilopochtli, especially during the festival called Panquetzaliztli, which means “raising banners.”.
What plant was used in the mosaic of Tomb 7?
The Mixtecs of Oaxaca also assigned great importance to this plant. The Postclassic turquoise mosaic covering the skull encountered within Tomb 7 at Monte Alban was actually kept together by a sticky amaranth paste. Cultivation of amaranth decreased and almost disappeared in Colonial times, under the Spanish rule.
How long has amaranth been around?
Amaranth has been a staple in the Americas for thousands of years, first collected as wild food, and then domesticated multiple times beginning about 6,000 years ago. The edible parts are the seeds, which are consumed whole toasted or milled into flour. Other uses of amaranth include animal forage, textile dyeing, and ornamental purposes.
Why is amaranth important?
However, today amaranth is an important cereal because it is gluten-free and contains about twice the crude protein of wheat, rice, ...
How are amaranth seeds collected?
Like other grains, amaranth seeds are collected by rubbing the inflorescences between the hands.
Where are cruentus native to?
The most widespread species are A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus native to North and Central America, and A. caudatus, from South America. Amaranthus cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus are native of Mexico and Guatemala. A. cruentus is used in Mexico to produce typical sweets called alegría, in which the amaranth grains are toasted ...
What is the use of amaranth?
Other uses of amaranth include animal forage, textile dyeing, and ornamental purposes. Amaranth is a plant of the family of Amaranthaceae. About 60 species are native to the Americas, and only 15 are the species originally from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The most widespread species are A. cruentus and A.
What Is Amaranth?
Amaranth is considered a " pseudocereal " rather than an actual grain since it's technically a seed. Other examples of pseudocereals are buckwheat and quinoa; both amaranth and quinoa are from the family Amaranthaceae. Like other cereal grains and pseudocereals, amaranth can be prepared in its whole seed form or ground into flour. Since it's gluten-free, amaranth flour is a popular ingredient with gluten-free bakers.
How to use amaranth seeds?
Another way to use amaranth is to pop it like popcorn. Add a tablespoon of uncooked amaranth seeds to a hot, dry skillet; the amaranth seeds will pop within a few seconds. Note that amaranth seeds are tiny, and although the popped amaranth will double in volume, even the popped kernels will still be very small.
How long can amaranth be stored in the freezer?
Amaranth flour will stay fresh in the pantry for 2 to 3 months and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
What is the flavor of amaranth?
Amaranth's flavor is nutty, herbal, and slightly peppery. It has a crunchy texture, similar to that of quinoa. Toasted or "popped" amaranth has a more enhanced nutty flavor and is lightly crisp.
What is the difference between amaranth and quinoa?
Amaranth is much more distinctive compared to quinoa, with a grassy smell and nutty, strong herbal taste that can be overwhelming for some. While quinoa's mildness allows it to take on the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish, amaranth takes center stage .
How many recipes has Danilo Alfaro published?
Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.
Is almond flour gluten free?
Amaranth flour is a common ingredient in gluten-free baking. Since it's heavy, it should be limited to 1/4 of the total flour in the recipe (by weight), otherwise, the baked goods will be extremely dense. It combines well with almond flour and works nicely as a thickener in soups and sauces.
What is the shape of a fruit capsule?
The top ( operculum) of the unilocular pixdio releases the urn that contains the seed. Seeds are circular form from 1 to 1.5 millimeters in diameter and range in color with a shiny, smooth seed coat.
What are the invasive species of Amaranth?
The following 9 species of Amaranthus are considered invasive and noxious weeds in the U.S and Canada: A. albus, A. blitoides, A. hybridus, A. palmeri, A. powellii, A. retroflexus, A. spinosus, A. tuberculatus, and A. viridis.
What is squalene used for?
Making up about 5% of the total fatty acids of amaranth, squalene is extracted as a vegetable-based alternative to the more expensive shark oil for use in dietary supplements and cosmetics.
What is the name of the plant that grows in the Bantu region of Uganda?
In Bantu regions of Uganda and western Kenya, it is known as doodo or litoto. It is also known among the Kalenjin as a drought crop ( chepkerta ).
How big is an amaranth?
1⁄2 –6 inches) and of oval or elliptical shape that are either opposite or alternate across species, although most leaves are whole and simple with entire margins. Amaranth has a primary root with deeper spreading secondary fibrous root structures.
What is the name of the leaf of amaranth?
In Indonesia and Malaysia, leaf amaranth is called bayam (although the word has since been loaned to refer to the differently-genused spinach ).
How tall does Amaranth grow?
Amaranth varies in flower, leaf, and stem color with a range of striking pigments from the spectrum of maroon to crimson and can grow longitudinally from 1 to 2.5 metres (3 to 8 feet) tall with a cylindrical, succulent, fibrous stem that is hollow with grooves and bracteoles when mature.
An American Staple
Amaranth Domestication
- Amaranth was widely used among hunter-gatherers in both North and South America. The wild seeds, even if small in size, are produced in abundance by the plant and are easy to collect. The domesticated versions share a common ancestor, A. hybridus, but appear to have been domesticated in multiple events. The earliest evidence of domesticated amaranth in the New Wo…
Use of Amaranth in Mesoamerica
- In ancient Mesoamerica, amaranth seeds were commonly used. The Aztec/Mexica cultivated large quantities of amaranth and it was also used as a form of tribute payment. Its name in the Aztec language Nahuatl was huauhtli. Among the Aztecs, amaranth flour was used to make baked images of their patron deity, Huitzilopochtli, especially during the festi...
Selected Sources
- Arreguez, Guillermo A., Jorge G. Martínez, and Graciela Ponessa. "in an Archaeological Site from the Initial Mid-Holocene in the Southern Argentinian PunaHybridus L. ssp.Amaranthus Hybridus." Quate...
- Clouse, J. W., et al. "The Amaranth Genome: Genome, Transcriptome, and Physical Map Assembly." The Plant Genome9.1 (2016), doi:10.3835/plantgenome2015.07.0062
- Arreguez, Guillermo A., Jorge G. Martínez, and Graciela Ponessa. "in an Archaeological Site from the Initial Mid-Holocene in the Southern Argentinian PunaHybridus L. ssp.Amaranthus Hybridus." Quate...
- Clouse, J. W., et al. "The Amaranth Genome: Genome, Transcriptome, and Physical Map Assembly." The Plant Genome9.1 (2016), doi:10.3835/plantgenome2015.07.0062
- Joshi, Dinesh C., et al. "From Zero to Hero: The Past, Present and Future of Grain Amaranth Breeding." Theoretical and Applied Genetics131.9 (2018): 1807–23, doi:10.1007/s00122-018-3138-y
- Mapes, Christina, and Eduardo Espitia. "Amaranth." The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures. Ed. Carrasco, David. Vol. 1. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, 20…
